The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a multibillion-pound development strategy launched by the Chinese government in 2013, is immense in its ambition to link China more efficiently to other markets and nations through a massive investment in land and maritime trading routes. The initiative has grown in importance by providing huge economic development opportunities for the many countries involved, especially the developing countries in South Asia and Africa that can benefit from China’s vast investment. In only a few years’ time, it has gained a notable achievement in reaching out to more than 80 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. EU member states, as well as a number of other non-EU countries (mainly in Central and Eastern Europe), have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with China within the BRI framework. However, there are concerns that BRI may be becoming a key instrument in China’s international and political policy, particularly in terms of public diplomacy and soft power. As The Economist commented in July 2018, ‘China’s Belt-and-Road plans are to be welcomed—and worried about’. There have also been criticism and scepticism about BRI’s impact on debts, regional development, and international relations.

In this lecture, I will address these issues with reference to my recent research into BRI. I will start with the historical origin, context, and development of BRI, followed by a discussion of the challenges and criticisms, and, to conclude, I will review the implications of BRI to the UK, particularly its strategic relevance to the development of teaching and research at Keele.

BIOGRAPHY

Professor Qihai Huang is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management at Keele Business School. As an interdisciplinary scholar, his career comprises two components: academic, in UK higher education, and professional, as a middle manager working with senior ministers in China’s central government. Professor Huang received his first degree in sociology (with distinction) from Peking University, and his MSc and PhD, financed by the Foreign Office and University of Bristol, respectively, from the University of Bristol.

Before joining Keele, he worked at Manchester Metropolitan, Royal Holloway, and Lancaster Universities, making active and sustained contributions to strategy development, policy formulation, and management at department, faculty, and university levels in different areas, particularly the China agenda. Professor Huang has held a range of important leadership roles, including Director of the Lancaster China Management Centre, Head of the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development (IEED), and Director of the Confucius Institute at Lancaster University.

His research output is of high quality, including over 50 articles/book chapters published in refereed international journals and books, and conference proceedings.

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