China and the New Silk Road: Challenges and Impacts on the Regional and Local Level

Preface
Contents
Contributors
The New Silk Road—An Overview of the Global Project
Preparing the New Silk Road for Regional Development and Exploring a Research Agenda
	An Introduction to the Belt and Road Initiative
	The Global Initiative and Regional Impacts
	Insights from the Academic Discussion on China’s BRI
	Finding a Theoretical Framework
	The Aims of This Book Project
	The New Silk Road—A Strategic Leadership Perspective?
	References
The Origins, Context and Nature of the Belt and Road Initiative
	References
The Belt and Road Initiative: Challenges for China
	A Radically Different China?
	Challenges for China
	Conclusion
	References
The New Silk Road and Europe’s Regions. On the Pros and Cons of Travelling China’s Roads
	Introduction
	The Seven Pillars of BRI
	Six Sets of Motives
		Creating Political Stability
		Exporting Technological Dystopia
		Building Stronger Resilience
		Make Chinese Champions Global Players
		Set New Standards to Change the Global System
		Internationalisation of China’s Currency
	Central Eastern Europe as the BRI’s Currently Most Important European Region
	Can You Make It Everywhere? Duisburg’s Ambitious Rise
	A Productive Bias: China Builds the BRI on Its Own Experience, Not on International Expertise
	What Europe Needs: A Less Defensive, More Pro-active Approach
	A Side Effect: Growing Worries About a European and Western Split Over the BRI
	Conclusion and Outlook: The Many Pros and Cons of the BRI in the View of Europe’s Regions
	References
A Global Phenomenon Explored Through Different Regional Views
New Silk Road—A Geo-economic Assessment with a Focus on the European Region
	Introduction: From the “Old Silk Road” to the “Belt and Road Initiative”
	Institutions Supporting the NSR—Impressive Financial Clout
	Some BRI Goals and Challenges: Largely Economic and Geopolitical
	Constituent Economic Corridors
	The Silk Road Economic Belt: Trans-Eurasian Overland Connectivity Regaining Some Ground
	Some Examples of Belt and Road Projects Aimed at Boosting Connectivity with Europe
	Possible Implications for Europe
	References
The Belt and Road Initiative: How to Bring Inclusive Development to Countries in Eurasia?
	Introduction
	Political Dimension
	Economic Dimension
	Conclusion
	References
Reconfigurations in Central Asia: Challenges, Opportunities and Risks of China’s Belt and Road Initiative
	Introduction
	History of External Influences on Central Asia
	Changing Infrastructures and Trade Connections
	Opportunities and Risks for Central Asia
	Conclusion
	References
China’s New Silk Road Project and the Mobilities Turn: Understanding Power Through Flows
	Introduction
	The BRI and Its Multilevel Impacts
	The Mobilities Theory and the Meaning of Movement
	Mobile Methods
	Conclusion: Issues and Agenda for a Mobilities Research on the BRI
	References
The Impact of the New Silk Road on the Mediterranean and on Italy
	Introduction
	Issues
	The Centrality of the Mediterranean
	Italy and the BRI: Between the Land Route and the Sea Route
	References
Different Viewpoints on Political, Socioeconomic, Cultural and Ecological Impacts of the New Silk Road
Environmental Risks, Challenges and Opportunities Along the African Belt and Road Initiative
	African Belt and Road Initiative
	Linear Infrastructures as Drivers of Biodiversity Changes
		Direct Impacts
		Indirect Impacts
	Unpredicted Costs
	Challenges of the African BRI
	Opportunities Under the African BRI
	References
International Rivers, Flowing on the Belt and Road: Threats and Strategies for Shared Water Resources
	Introduction
	International Rivers, Flowing on the “Belt and Road”: Part of Central Asia
	Cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan on River Issues
	Opportunity and Challenge Under the OBOR Strategy
	References
Possible Ecological and Economic Challenges for Ghana’s “Bauxite for Infrastructure” Deal
	Introduction
	The Belt and Road Initiative
	Ghana and the BRI
	Ghana’s Bauxite
	The Sinohydro Deal
	Bauxite Mining at the Atewa Forest Reserve
	Social-Economic Risks for Ghana
	Discussion
	References
The Digital Silk Road: Upgrading the “16+1” Cooperation?
	The Context of the BRI—Connectivity
	Digitalization of the BRI
	Digital Road and the “16+1” Initiative
	References
A Musical Journey Along the Silk Road—Encounter, Discovery and Change
	Introduction
	A Musical Journey of Intercultural Encounters
	A Musical Journey to the Glocalised World
	A Musical Journey to a Sustainable Intercultural Competence
	Conclusion
	References
Opportunities and Challenges of BRI for German SMEs: Analyses and Recommendations Based on a Cross-Cultural View
	Status Quo: BRI Can Be Understood as China’s Long-Term Strategy to Come Back to and Remain at the Centre Stage as a Considerable Global Player
	A Different Germany Meets a Different China: “Industry 4.0” Versus “Made in China 2025”
	New Strategy for German SMEs to China Should Be Considered
		China-Competence in German SMEs is Insufficient
		Challenging Cross-Cultural Understanding
		Chinese Culture Differs Strongly with German Culture
		The Chinese Social System Also Differs from the German System
		Understanding China’s BRI from the View of Chinese
	Conclusion and Advices for German SMEs to Get Involved
	References
Tourism Perspectives
The Silk Road: Unlocking the Tourism Potential Through Collaboration
	Introduction
	Origins and Milestones
	The Western Silk Road vs. the Classic Silk Road
	Transnational Routes—Challenges and Benefits
	The Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
	Overall Conclusion
	References
Cross-Border Tourism in the Southern Caucasus—The Silk Road as a Facilitator for Joint Products
	Cross-Border Tourism as a Strategic Question
	Opportunities and Challenges of Cross-Border Cooperation
	Methodology and Cross-Border Tourism in Southern Caucasus
	Results: Promoters of Cross-Border Tourism in Southern Caucasus
	Outlook on Cross-Border Tourism Measures Along the Silk Road
	References
Travel Along the New Silk Road: Understanding New Trends in Chinese Outbound Tourism
	Overview of Recent Chinese Outbound Tourism
		Who Are the Chinese Outbound Tourists?
	The Top 10 Destinations Along the New Silk Road: Chinese Tourists’ Behavioural Patterns and Preferences
		South East Asia
		Traditional European Destinations
		North East Africa
		South East Europe
	Overview of Chinese Outbound Tourism Along the New Silk Road
	References
Potential Spillover Effects of China’s Belt and Road Initiative on Chinese Tourism to Australia: A Marketing Perspective
	Introduction
	BRI and Its Effects on Tourism in Southeast Asia and Beyond
	Spillover Effects of the BRI on Chinese Tourist Arrivals to Australia
	Marketing Potentials in Southeast Asian BR Countries for Australia
	Influencing Factors of Chinese Outbound Tourism
	Lessons Learned from Outbound Chinese Tourism to Southeast Asian BR Countries
	Recommendations for Tourism Practitioners in Australia
	Conclusions
	References
The New Silk Road in Slovakia: What Does It Mean for Tourism Development?
	Introduction
	Research Methodology
	Research Findings
		Impact of the BRI on the Development of Slovakia
		The Impact of the BRI on Tourism Development in Slovakia
	Conclusion
	References