Online event: The Belt and Road Initiative and New Regionalism

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been exerting many visible impacts on globalization, urbanization and development since its inauguration in 2013. While BRI is framed by China as an inclusive platform of multilateral cooperation, it has been met with mixed perceptions in Europe. These disputing narratives necessitate a sober analysis of the nature, dynamics and influence of the BRI: to what extent has BRI shaped the pattern of infrastructure connectivity, urban development and regional and spatial integration? How can we reimagine this connectivity plan as a key driving force of new globalization? And, what are the scope and depth of impact of COVID pandemic on the cross-border engagement associated with BRI?

In this webinar, Prof. Chen Xiangming, a renowned scholar in global urban studies, will present his new points of view and analysis on these critical issues. This will be based on his latest BRI book project published jointly by Taylor & Francis and the Regional Studies Association. Prof. Jørgen Delman of University of Copenhagen will share his insights on BRI’s green dimension and local dynamics. Senior Researcher Hans Jørgen Gåsemyr from Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, as the commentator, will be offering a Nordic perspective.

Program

Welcome remarks
Prof. Duncan McCargo, Director, NIAS

Moderator
Dr. Chunrong Liu, Executive director, Fudan-European Centre for China Studies

Speakers
Prof. Chen Xiangming, Trinity College
Prof. Jørgen Delman, University of Copenhagen
Commentator
Dr. Hans Jørgen Gåsemyr, NUPI

Bios

Chen Xiangming is Raether Distinguished Professor of Global Urban Studies and Sociology, Trinity College, where he served as the founding Dean and Director of Urban and Global Studies and Director of the Center for Urban and Global Studies at Trinity College from 2007-2019. He is also a Visiting Professor at Fudan University. He is the co-author of the recently published The Belt and Road Initiative as epochal regionalization, part of the Regional Studies Policy Impact Books series.

Jørgen Delman is Professor at the Dept. of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen. He is currently working on projects touching upon Chinese climate governance at a national and regional level, the Belt and Road Initiative and China’s international relations, as well as China’s role in international climate negotiations.

Hans Jørgen Gåsemyr is a senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen. He is currently involved in a research projects on China and the sustainable development goals, as well as a project on the potential risks of investments for national security.