Assessing China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Pardee School Series
The Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University is hosting a virtual conference series titled “Assessing China’s Belt and Road Initiative” to examine the economic, social, political, and security impacts of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The series began in Spring 2021 and continues in Fall 2021.
The BRI, announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in the fall of 2013, attempts to reshape the world in the image of the ancient Silk Roads with China as the central player. As a combination of a land-based Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) and a sea-based 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR), China’s multi-trillion-dollar BRI program is having impacts in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
Since the BRI cuts across regions and topics, various the Pardee School’s affiliated centers are sponsoring events related to their particular focus, including book launches, talks, and interviews.
The series is organized and edited by Dr. Grant Rhode, an affiliated scholar of the Boston University Center for the Study of Asia, in collaboration with each of the Pardee School’s affiliate centers. To watch series event recordings, click the “Videos” menu below. The Pardee School will add new videos to this page as related events take place.
Friday Talk Series: Fall 2021 - Videos
Lyle Goldstein on “The Russia-Chinese Quasi-Alliance and the Polar Silk Road
In this event – hosted by the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future and the Center for the Study of Asia on Nov 12, 2021 – Lyle Goldstein presented his current research on Russia-China relations in regard to areas of Arctic mutual interest, including transport aspects of the Northern Sea Route, as well as resource and security concerns. Discussant: Abbie Tingstad, Moderator: Grant Rhode.
Lina Benabdallah on “Chinese and French Capital Networks in North Africa”
In this event – hosted by the African Studies Center, the Center for the Study of Europe, and CURA on Oct 29, 2021 – Lina Benabdallah presented research on soft power aspects of the BRI in North Africa, including discussion of higher education, journalism, and security training networks. Discussant: Michael Woldemariam, Moderator: Grant Rhode.
Nader Habibi on “China’s Economic Relations with the Levant Countries”
During this event – hosted by the Global Development Policy Center and the Center for the Study of Asia on Oct 15, 2021 – Nader Habibi presented current research on Chinese trade and investment patterns in Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Turkey, with reference to BRI logistical corridors. Discussant: Adel Abdul Ghafar. Moderator: Grant Rhode.
Wendy Leutert and Isaac Kardon on “Economic and Security Aspects of China’s Port Development”
During this event – hosted by the Global Development Policy Center and the Center for the Study of Asia on Oct 1, 2021 – Wendy Leutert and Isaac Kardon analyzed the involvement of Chinese state-owned enterprises and the military in a review of 94 ports in 51 countries in which China has a stake. Moderator: Grant Rhode
Selina Ho, Carla Freeman, and Jessica Liao on “Dam Diplomacy? Chinese Dam Building and Water Disputes in Asia”
During this event – hosted by the Center for the Study of Asia and the Global Development Policy Center on Sep 17, 2021 – Selina Ho and Carla Freeman discussed the risks, benefits, and impacts of Chinese dam building in several Southeast Asian country cases. Moderator: Grant Rhode.
Friday Talk Series: Spring 2021 - Videos
Philippe Le Corre on “Italy and Greece: Two Case Studies for Chinese Involvement in Southern Europe”
During this event – hosted by the Center for the Study of Europe on April 16, 2021 – French defense official and international journalist specializing in China’s involvement in Europe, Philippe Le Corre, presented his analysis of China’s recent BRI involvements in Italy and Greece. Discussants: Vesko Garcevic and Dimitrios Skiadas. Moderator: Grant Rhode.
Deborah Brautigam and Kevin Acker on “African Debt Relief with Chinese Characteristics”
During this event – hosted by the African Studies Center and the Global Development Policy Center on April 2, 2021 – Professor Deborah Brautigam and Research Manager Kevin Acker of the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) at SAIS Johns Hopkins University presented CARI research findings on Chinese debt relief across Africa in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Discussant: Yan Wang. Moderator: Grant Rhode.
William Grimes on “BRI Lessons from Japan: From Flying Geese to Partnership for Quality Infrastructure”
During this event – hosted by the Center for the Study of Asia on March 19, 2021 – William Grimes, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Pardee School, presented precedents for the BRI from Japan’s experience, as well as Japan’s current competitive offerings compared to those of the BRI. Discussant: Bart Edes. Moderator: Grant Rhode.
David M. Lampton on “Rivers of Iron: Railroads and Chinese Power in Southeast Asia”
During this event – co-hosted by the Center for the Study of Asia and the Global Development Policy Center on March 12, 2021 – David M. Lampton, Emeritus Professor at SAIS in The Johns Hopkins University, presented the findings of his book on China’s involvement in the seven-country railroad network under development in Southeast Asia. Discussant: Joseph Fewsmith. Moderator: Grant Rhode.
Jorge Heine on “Is China’s New Silk Road Lending a Helping Hand in Latin America’s Current Crisis?”
During this event – co-hosted by the Center for Latin American Studies and the Global Development Policy Center on March 5, 2021 – former Chilean Ambassador to China Jorge Heine, Research Professor at the Pardee School, presented his views on China’s engagement in Latin American development issues. Discussant: Kevin Gallagher. Moderator: Grant Rhode.
Min Ye on “US-China Strategic Competition and the BRI”
During this event – co-hosted by the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future and the Center for Study of Asia on February 19, 2021 – Min Ye, Associate Professor of International Relations at the Pardee School, discussed global strategic implications of the BRI. Discussant: Joshua Shifrinson. Moderator: Grant Rhode.
During this event – hosted by the GDP Center on February 5, 2021 – Kevin Gallagher, Boston University Professor and Director of the GDP Center, outlined the extensive findings of his research group documenting BRI economic impacts, both beneficial and detrimental, of the multi-trillion dollar BRI program. Discussant: William Grimes. Moderator: Grant Rhode.
Kent Calderon Super Continent: The Logic of Eurasian Integration (event date December 4, 2020)
During this event – hosted by the Center for the Study of Asia on Dec 4, 2020 – Kent Calder, Reischauer Professor of East Asian Studies at Johns Hopkins University SAIS, discussed his book Super Continent: The Logic of Eurasian Integration highlighting the BRI within the context of other trends toward Eurasian integration. Discussant: Min Ye; Moderator: William Grimes
Jonathan Hillman on The Emperor’s New Road: China and the Project of the Century
During this event – hosted by the Center for the Study of Europe on Oct 13, 2020 – Jonathan Hillman, Senior Fellow and Director of the Reconnecting Asia program at CSIS, presented his new book, The Emperor’s New Road: China and the Project of the Century, and highlighted Europe in China’s Belt and Road, impacts on the ground, and the road ahead. Discussants: Philippe Le Corre and Min Ye. Moderator: Grant Rhode.
Min Ye on The Belt Road and Beyond: State-Mobilized Globalization in China, 1998-2018
During this event – hosted by the Center for the Study of Asia on August 12, 2020 – Min Ye, Associate Professor of International Relations at the Pardee School, presented her new book, The Belt, Road and Beyond: State-Mobilized Globalization in China 1998-2018, which highlights historic precedents and the Chinese domestic foundation of the BRI. Interview by Grant Rhode.
