Online Class Notes (Jesse)

The new silk route
The Chinese Government launched an ambitious $70 billion infrastructure plan focused on achieving the Asia-Pacific commercial hegemony as well as increasing its financial incomes globally. The plan named Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), or popularly, The New Silk Road, consist of a series of investments to developed new logistics infrastructures, basically in terrestrial and maritime transportation-related.

The BRI idea was presented to the public early in 2013. The investments will connect Europe, Middle East and Africa, by new roads and railways and also by new maritime routes, by establishing new ports alongside Asia’s and Africa’s coastal zone.

From a financial perspective, the initiative intends to be a new development trend for China, similarly to the real state domestic development experienced in the 80-90s in Shenzhen and Shanghai. In terms of geopolitics, it will be a significant achievement, once the BRI consider oil and gas pipelines projects, increasing the Chinese influence and its soft power across 3 continents.

Politically speaking, the BRI wakes excess of the concern of western countries, especially the US, which is dreading Chinese global influence. Is the BRI feasible? Only time will say. Old and regional boundary disputes with India and lack of labour forces are some weaknesses and threats to the idea.

The new silk route
The Chinese Government launched an ambitious $70 billion infrastructure plan focused on achieving the Asia-Pacific commercial hegemony as well as increasing its financial income / income streams globally. The plan named Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), or popularly, The New Silk Road, consists of a series of investments to develop new logistics infrastructures, basically in terrestrial / land-based and maritime transportation-related.

The BRI idea was presented to the public early in 2013. The investments will connect Europe, Middle East and Africa, by new roads and railways and also by new maritime routes, by establishing new ports alongside Asia’s and Africa’s coastal zone.

From a financial perspective, the initiative intends to be a new development trend for China, similarly to the real estate domestic development experienced in the 80-90s in Shenzhen and Shanghai. In terms of geopolitics, it will be a significant achievement, once the BRI consider oil and gas pipelines projects, increasing the Chinese influence and its soft power across 3 continents.

Politically speaking, the BRI rustles the feathers of / has the potential to trigger western countries, especially the US, which is dreading Chinese global influence. Is the BRI feasible? Only time will tell. Old and regional boundary disputes with India and a lack of labour forces / workers / a work force are some weaknesses or threats to the idea.

Pronunciation

sinus – “sai nus”

sinusitis – “sai nus SAI tus”

saline – “SAY leen”

centennary – “sen TEN nar ree”

geopolitics – “jeeoo POL li ticks”

dispute – dis pyouut

Vocabulary

nasal rinse – “rinsss”

they’re the go-to country for corn / the lead exporter / main producer / the home of soya bean

mai – down then up – buy
mai – down – sell

door lock

mom & pop stores – business run by a couple for many years

I’m happy to listen to that – I’m happy to hear that  

Grammar

i promise to me – myself