About: OBOR
Chinese official: ‘Without a strong WTO, connectivity means nothing’
The EU and Japan have launched a new strategy to strengthen ties between Europe and Asia, seen as an alternative to China’s ‘Belt and Road’. But in view of the ongoing global trade disputes, for senior Chinese diplomat Xuejun Guo, the priority is nonetheless the renovation of the World Trade Organisation’s appellate body.
EU and Japan join forces to counter US and Chinese initiatives
The EU and Japan signed on Friday (27 September) a holistic partnership to promote investment projects based on rules-based and sustainable principles, and to counter the risks posed by the US and China.
Macron, Merkel and Juncker to meet China’s Xi on Tuesday
French President Emmanuel Macron invited German chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to join a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next Tuesday (26 March), in a bid to forge a united front in European efforts to rebalance relations with Beijing.
EU urges China to progress on demands to dispel ‘frustration’
The EU will give Chinese leaders a comprehensive list of demands next month to address the growing “frustration” among Europeans, and to improve bilateral cooperation as it reaches a critical junction, various senior EU officials explained on Wednesday (20 March).
Italy to join China’s New Silk Road infrastructure plan
Italy is set to become the first member of the ‘Group of Seven’ most powerful nations to join China’s infrastructure plan “One Belt, One Road” (OBOR), despite the heightened scrutiny of Beijing’s investment in Europe.![[EPA]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/07/Belt-and-road.jpj_-800x450.jpg)
The New Silk Road
The Belt and Road initiative largely replicates the Silk Road, a common historical heritage of China, Kazakhstan and all countries along its path. The economic potential of the initiative is huge, and so are its geopolitical effects.