Name: “Politics and Economics of China’s Belt and Road Initiative” Workshop — Assessment of China's Belt and Road Initiative
Start: 2019-11-15T11:00:00-0500
End: 2019-11-15T17:00:00-0500

Click Here to RSVP for afternoon session

Abstract:

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China in 2013, seeks to improve the connectivity between China and the rest of Asia, the Middle East and on to Africa and Europe. From an economic perspective, it has the potential to upgrade and transform the transportation, communication and energy infrastructures of a large group of developing countries. From a political perspective, the initiative reflects the projection of China’s influence and geostrategic interests into surrounding regions, and the consolidation of its emerging position as a world power. However, the details of some of the projects, their economic and political implications, and the ways in which they have been financed, have proven controversial. This workshop will assess the economic and politics costs, benefits, and risks of the BRI and examine the American response. It will bring together scholars and policy makers to present their research and share their perspectives with interested faculty and students at the University of Virginia. The workshop is part of the UVA project “Assessment of China’s Belt and Road Initiative,” led by an interdisciplinary group of faculty members who share an interest in the BRI. The workshop will be held in conjunction with a panel discussion at the Miller Center on the implications for the U.S. and the American response.

Schedule:

Morning:

“The American Policy Response to the Belt and Road Initiative”

Panel discussion at the Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903

11:00 am–12:15 pm

A moderated discussion videotaped for live-streamed and distribution on Facebook Live.

Moderator: Syaru Shirley Lin

Participants: Rush Doshi, Kathryn Kauffman, Kerem Coşar

(Separate registration required for the morning event at the Miller Center)

Afternoon:

"The Politics and Economics of China's Belt and Road Initiative"

Workshop at the Mcintire School, Rouss/ Robertson 123, 125 Ruppel Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22903

2:15–5:00 pm

Politics of Belt and Road

Moderator: Syaru Shirley Lin (Department of Politics, UVA)

2:15–2:45 pm

“The Role of Belt and Road Initiative in China's Foreign Policy”

Rush Doshi, Brookings Institution

2:45–3:15 pm

“The American Strategy in Promoting Development Around the World”

Kathryn Kaufman, Overseas Private Investment Corporation

3:15–3:30 pm Coffee Break

Economics of Belt and Road

Moderator: Kerem Coşar (Department of Economics, UVA)

3:30–4:00 pm

“Geographic Connectivity and Cross-Border Investment on the Belt and Road”

Maggie Chen, George Washington University

4:00–4:30 pm

“Common Transport Infrastructure: A Quantitative Model and Estimates from the Belt and Road Initiative”

François de Soyres, Federal Reserve Board of Governors

4:30–5:00 pm

Discussion, followed by reception

Organizers: Syaru Shirley Lin (Politics), Kerem Coşar (Economics)

The workshop is part of the “Assessment of China’s Belt and Road Initiative” Project at UVA, supported by the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Center for Global Inquiry and Innovation, East Asia Center, and a gift from Mr. James H.T. McConnell, Jr. In addition, we are grateful for additional support from the Miller Center, the McIntire School of Commerce, the departments of Politics, Economics, and the National Security Policy Center of the Batten School.