1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov August 6, 2015Chinas “One Belt, One Road” A Plan for Economic Connectivity In March 2015, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that his ministrys single “key focus” in 2015 would be “making all-around progress in the Belt and Road Initiative,” highlighting the cent
2、ral place that effort has come to occupy in Chinese foreign policy. China envisions boosting economic connectivity among dozens of countries along a land route it is calling the Silk Road Economic Belt and a sea route it is calling the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The initiative calls for buildi
3、ng transportation and energy infrastructure and industrial parks on three continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa. It also involves efforts to reduce investment and trade barriers, such as customs procedures and the lack of a regional credit information system. First proposed publicly by Chinas Preside
4、nt Xi Jinping in 2013, the plans could, by some estimates, take 35 years to complete. Figure 1. One Belt, One Road Source: Xinhua News Agency, March 29, 2015, adapted by CRS. Notes: Other Chinese OBOR maps depict the maritime route as also including Gwadar, Pakistan, and Nairobi, Kenya. Many details
