Discourse Analysis of the Belt and Road Initiative From the Perspective of Central Asian Countries: A Case Study of the Republic of Kazakhstan

This study employs Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis(CDA)three-dimensional model,using the Republic of Kazakhstan as a case study,to delve into the discourse construction of China’s Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)in Central Asian countries.Through detailed analysis of policy documents,media reports,and public discussions in Central Asian countries,this paper reveals how the BRI constructs specific social practices,discourse events,and textual meanings within these nations.The findings indicate that through this global development strategy,China has not only strengthened its economic ties with Central Asian countries but has also exerted profound influences on political,cultural,and social levels.

China's Belt and Road Initiative: Incorporating public health measures toward global economic growth and shared prosperity

The unprecedented globalization of trade,travel,climate change,protectionism,and geopolitical populism,as well as pandemic health threats are no longer issues for a single nation.In the field of public health,China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) offers immense opportunities for partnership and collective actions involving multiple countries to combat globalization-linked infectious and/or chronic diseases,emerging pandemics,and outbreaks of potential threats to both laboratory information management systems and health information management.The national and global health challenges have increasingly proved that economic prosperity cannot be achieved when huge knowledge and capacity gaps exist in health systems.There is thus a need for public health initiatives aimed at strengthening the health systems beyond sovereign borders to influence global geo-economics.We highlight situational insights that offer approaches and strategies for increasing public health investment and capacity development in the countries along the Belt and Road,enhancing public and global health cooperation alongside participation in disease control and elimination,promoting public health governance and data sharing for pandemic threats,and building shared values and benefits in public health through Sino-African cooperation and the BRI.Our approach also examines the values of the China's BRI in relation to public health,projections and initiatives for increasing new investment and development capacity in public health systems,and enhanced public and global health cooperation and participation toward the BRI's framework and scope.

Anti-Poverty Cooperation between China and West Asian and North African Countries in the Context of the Belt and Road Initiative

As important parts of the Belt and Road Initiative,West Asia and North Africa have rich resources and prominent strategic position.Anti-poverty has always been a crucial social issue of China,West Asia and North Africa. Through literature review and data analysis,this paper analyzed the current situations of anti-poverty in West Asia and North Africa and the causes of poverty,and objectively summarized the realistic foundation of anti-poverty cooperation between China and West Asian and North African countries. On the basis of current situations,it put forward a path for anti-poverty cooperation between China and West Asian and North African countries,in the hope of providing decisionmaking basis and policy recommendations for China to undertake anti-poverty cooperation in the worldwide range.

Australia’s Fear and Greed over China’s Rise:A Discourse Analysis of Mainstream News Coverage of the Belt and Road Initiative

China’s rise has stirred up world-wide debate.In Australia,China has been one of the keywords in its foreign and strategic policies and on news media.Its rise intensifies the dual functions―benefit provider and security offender to Australia and the tensions between greed of economic gains and fear of China’s increasing geopolitical strength and influence.The“fear and greed”narration is well-presented on Australian mainstream media.Such ambivalence can also find its expressions in the recent typical case of China’s rise―the Belt and Road Initiative.It is worthwhile to find out how Australia’s ambivalence to BRI and China’s rise is represented on media and to draw the sociopolitical inferences behind“fear and greed”.The thesis is going to take BRI as a typical example of China’s rise to examine the ambivalent“fear and greed”narration on Australian mainstream news media.Data sample includes news reports of BRI from ABC News,The Australian,The Australian Financial Review,The Sydney Morning Herald,and The Age from September 1st,2013 to October 31st,2017.The discourse analysis on China’s images finds that Australia is rather biased against China,regarding China both as a lucrative friend and a threatening enemy.The bias lingers on for centuries and generates misunderstanding,mistrust,and anxiety.Profit drives Australia to establish closer economic ties with China,while value differences would not allow too much proximity but help to maintain a robust alliance with its allies.Australia’s position between its major economic partner and traditional allies has caused much concern and will have a long-term influence on its policy-making decisions.

The Cooperation Between China and Afghanistan Under the“Belt and Road Initiative”

Afghanistan is a neighboring country to China.The Afghanistan issue has had an important impact on China’s national security.Since the establishment of the new Afghan government in 2001,China has been committed to promoting Afghanistan’s economic,social,and security reconstruction,and has invested heavily resources in Afghanistan’s reconstruction.The main cause of the Afghan problem is that the Afghan government lacked enough resources and can only rely on the foreign powers’aids.Afghanistan eventually loses its independence,and triggers interference in big powers.At present,Afghanistan still has not escaped this predicament.Near 50%of the Afghan government’s revenue comes from foreign aids.In 2013,the“Belt and Road Initiative”proposed by China provided opportunity for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.Afghanistan,as the crossroads of the land Silk Road and the heart of Asia,has become more prominent in its geopolitical status for“Belt and Road Initiative”.By participating“Belt and Road Initiative”,Afghanistan can help to activate its own economic vitality and promote the cross-border trade.It has changed the situation that Afghanistan is highly dependent on external aids.This helps to solve the problems of reconstruction in Afghanistan.

The 5^th Anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative Witnessing the Rich Activities Held by Overseas China Cultural Centers (Ⅷ)

Nothing can separate people with common goals and ideals,not even mountains and seas.In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a major initiative to jointly build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road.As a result,the Belt and Road Initiative has attracted worldwide attention and embraced a new journey through time and space.In the past five years,the Belt and Road Initiative has been widely recognized by the international community and has yielded positive results. Under this background,the overseas China cultural centers have played a unique role in the going global of Chinese culture by focusing on such functions as cultural exchange,teaching and training,exchange of thoughts and dialogues and information services.These regular activities have facilitated the people-to-people ties.This serial report focuses on the celebrations of the 5^th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative held by overseas China cultural centers since March this year.

China-Central Asia Relations and Role of the Belt and Road Initiative

China is moving to greater economic and political influence in the global scale.One of the Chinese strategy for“go global”is Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)which was announced by President Xi Jinping in 2013.The BRI includes a significant number of countries from Asia,Central Asia,the Middle East,Africa,and Europe.In this framework,China relations with Central Asia are an important part of the BRI project.The BRI is not merely an economic project as framed by Beijing,but that it represents a new stage in China’s engagement with the Central Asian republics.The Belt and Road Initiative is highly likely to become China’s most significant contribution to Central Asia economic development.This would affect the China-Central Asia relations economically and politically.

The Perception and Reaction of Indonesia to the Belt and Road Initiative and Suggestions for China's Response

Participation, support and understanding of countries along the Belt and Road are requisites for promoting and implementing this major initiative. Indonesia, a major ASEAN economy, is crucial but Indonesia has a limited perception of the B&R initiative. Although its government welcomes it and the ruling coalition cooperates positively, parts of the military and opposition are skeptical of China's intent. The B&R initiative is well-received among the Indonesian Chinese group, while Indonesian academic circles remain cautious and somewhat critical. From a Chinese viewpoint, easing negative or hostile emotions appropriately would be well-timed. China should settle the Natuna issue, adjust its publicity in Indonesia, use diplomacy, and promote Sino-Indonesia cultural exchange and communications. Chinese enterprises should focus on project quality and uphold social responsibilities. Short-term goals are reducing Indonesia's opposition and obstruction of B&R, while long-term goals are enhancing the recognition and likeability of the Initiative's worthwhile plans.

Contributing More Chinese Wisdom to the Belt and Road Initiative:Exploration and Practice of the China Region Development & Reform Institute

As the"Belt and Road"is gaining ground with higher quality,China’s think tanks have played a unique role in facilitating policy communication,enhancing people-to-people connectivity and promoting practical cooperation,and have contributed a lot of"Chinese wisdom"to the development of BRI.

A Comparative Study of Humanistic Exchange and Cooperation between China and Southeast Asian in the Perspective of "the Belt and Road" Initiative

In the exchanges between different countries,apart from enhancing political mutual trust and strengthening pragmatic cooperation,it is of great importance to forging humanistic exchange.With a long history of exchanges between China and all the countries in South-east Asia,the humanistic exchange between China and South-east Asia has been continuing since the founding of the People's Republic of China.After the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations,the strategic position of humanistic exchange has been rapidly improved.By means of the case study of Confucius Institute,sister cities,and tourism cooperation,the author has found that humanistic exchange between China and South-east Asia has enjoyed a long history and embodied profound and extensive meaning.It is the ancient Maritime Silk Road that helped to form the exchanges between China and South-east Asia.In the meantime,it is the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road that has deepened this friendship.The successful experience of humanistic exchange and cooperation between China and South-east Asia has not only consolidated the China-ASEAN strategic partnership but also provided a conducive reference for people-to-people ties in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.In addition,it has added dynamics and confidence to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind which is propelled by China's humanistic diplomacy.

A Study on the Belt and Road Initiative and the Promotion of International Competitiveness of China's Culture Industry

China's pioneering the Belt and Road initiative not only provides a broad space for China's culture industry to enhance international competitiveness, but also puts forward a major project. It includes: optimize and integrate strategic resources through connectivity, cultivate export-oriented cultural enterprises to promote the main body of the industry, optimize the structure of cultural trade by expanding cultural services exports, and build win-win cooperation networks through the connections between Silk Road Cities. This will both contribute to the global distribution and resource allocation of China's culture industry, and benefit the construction of mutually beneficial and cooperative international culture industry communities, so the countries and people of the Belt and Road regions can share their cultural wealth.

Historical Trend of China-UK Strategic Cooperation Based on the Belt and Road Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative which was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping is playing an important role in the development of globalization, increasingly more countries and international groups are supporting and engaging in it. The trade and cultural communications between China and the United Kingdom(UK) goes back centuries, and although troubled at times, has now successfully entered the"golden age"of deep cooperation between the world powers through strategic cooperation based on the Belt and Road Initiative. With the developing trend of the times, China and the UK should deepen their cooperation in the areas of higher education, research and development, financial innovation, social management, cultural innovation, supply-side structural reform, regional development, rural governance, public medical systems, aerotropolis construction, university science parks, high-tech parks, and other social and economic developments, thus continuing the advancement of deep cooperation between world powers. The Belt and Road International Conference held in Beijing in May 2017 and was the beginning of a new round of strategic cooperation and globalization for the benefit of the countries and regions involved.

Studies on the Belt and Road Initiative and the China—Mongolia—Russia Culture Industry Corridor

Culture is the concentrated reflection of national spirit and civilization, and is an important part of foreign exchanges since ancient times. Under the guidance of the Belt and Road Initiative, with the goal of reviving the Prairie Silk Road and Culture Industry Corridor suited to the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, in accordance with the requirements in the China, Mongolia and Russia Tripartite Cooperation Medium-term Road Map approved by the three countries, government organs, enterprises and social organizations should make appropriate plans to develop cultural tourism in advance, highlight its characteristics, build the brand, build investment and financing platforms, new media platforms and carry out large-project-driving strategies, so that the value of cultural resources along the Prairie Silk Road can be fully tapped and resources can be integrated for industrial and economic advantages. The interconnection of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Mongolia's Prairie Road and Russia's Eurasian Economic Union will help establish closer cooperation between the three countries and form an arena of culture competition in Northeast Asia. This is of great practical significance and has promising prospects.

An Inquiry into the Approach to Asian Regional Trade Integration Under the Belt and Road Initiative——The Case of the Alignment of a China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Area

It has been five years since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first introduced. Though there has been a growing body of literature on regional cooperation between covered countries, Japan and South Korea have been barely discussed. This paper starts with the consensus-based mechanism of a China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Area (FTA) to probe the approach of its alignment with the BRI in terms of the sequence of “master plans,”“viability of cooperation,” and “embedding of rules.” This inquiry found that the three countries have a shared interest in cooperation in Central Asia to which China prefers a pragmatic approach, while Japan and South Korea an approach combining idealism with pragmatism. Given the huge potential of cooperation between the trio, it is suggested that a “Central Asia chapter” be incorporated in the negotiation framework of this trilateral FTA, and that the design feature three aspects;fundamental principles, specific rules, and an executive body with a view to functionally contributing to regional trade integration in Asia. This approach may also be applied to the alignment of other Asian areas with the BRI.

Spatial-temporal Evolution and Determinants of the Belt and Road Initiative: A Maximum Entropy Gravity Model Approach

The spatial interaction model is an effective way to explore the geographical disparities inherent in the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) by simulating spatial flows. The traditional gravity model implies the hypothesis of equilibrium points without any reference to when or how to achieve it. In this paper, a dynamic gravity model was established based on the Maximum Entropy(MaxEnt) theory to estimate and monitor the interconnection intensity and dynamic characters of bilateral relations. In order to detect the determinants of interconnection intensity, a Geodetector method was applied to identify and evaluate the determinants of spatial networks in five dimensions. The empirical study clearly demonstrates a heterogeneous and non-circular spatial structure. The main driving forces of spatial-temporal evolution are foreign direct investment, tourism and railway infrastructure construction, while determinants in different sub-regions show obvious spatial differentiation. Southeast Asian countries are typically multi-island area where aviation infrastructure plays a more important role. North and Central Asian countries regard oil as a pillar industry where power and port facilities have a greater impact on the interconnection. While Western Asian countries are mostly influenced by the railway infrastructure, Eastern European countries already have relatively robust infrastructure where tariff policies provide a greater impetus.

International collaboration to promote global health:The 2017 Belt and Road Initiative Global Health International Congress&2017 Chinese Preventive Medicine Association--Chinese Society on Global Health Annual Meeting

With the rapid development of new technologies and global trade and increasing collaboration am ong countries worldwide,public health has become a global issue.Global health,as a new discipline,has been drawing more attention from both academ ia and governments.The Belt and Road Initiative(BRI),proposed by China in 2013,aimed to prom ote trade and resource exchange,including education,research,and health issues,with over 60 countries in Asia,Africa,and Europe.The BRI provides good opportunities for involved countries to address health problems jointly as well.In response to the BRI and to promote international collaboration on global health issues,"The 2017 Belt and Road Initiative Global Health International Congress&2017 Chinese Preventive M edicine Association-Chinese Society on Global Health Annual Meeting"was held on Septem ber 24-27,2017 in Xi’an,China.Thus far,this is the largest high-quality international conference held in China that focused on the BRI global health issues.This article summarized the background,key sessions and topics covered during the congress,and important events,and highlights different perspectives of the BRI and global health by invited experts from China and abroad.The conference included 14 sessions(three keynote speech forums and ten scientific sessions and a research poster session)and about 100 speakers,around 40 of which were leading experts outside of China.All the major sessions were held in English.More than 40 leaders and experts of health sectors from 13 countries presented their work in the congress.Approximately 400 delegates from 29 countries attended the congress.Delegates had extensive discussions about global health related issues,future cooperation and development in global health.The congress fostered international exchange and collaboration.

The"Belt and Road"Initiative:A Chinese Concept for Global Development

China's"Belt and Road"initiative is emerging as the Westerndominated world order is declining. Capitalism has intensified the richpoor divide and power politics have led to great upheavals. Western values have caused a"value dislocation"for non-Western countries. The world is calling for new development concepts. The"Belt and Road"initiative has emerged as an answer. It embodies China's ideas on global development.First, it works for the"common prosperity"of every country, which will ease contradictions between the South and the North. Second, it emphasizes geo-economic integration that will heal the fragmentation of Eurasia. Third, it advocates linkages between people and inclusiveness to create a new kind of civilization. However, many difficulties and challenges lie ahead for the implementation of the"Belt and Road"initiative.