China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Its Implications for America

Joining host Dennis McCuistion to talk about China’s Belt and Road Initiative are:

• Cynthia Watson, PhD – Dean of Academic Programs and Faculty at the National War College.
• Jay T. Young – Vice President of Marketing Analysis, Trinity Rail, and
• Professor Da Hsuan Feng, PhD – Former VP for Research, U T Dallas, and Chief Advisor to the I Silk Research Institute.

The Belt and Road Initiative was launched in 2013 as one belt one road, meaning it involves China underwriting billions of dollars of infrasture investment in countries along the old Silk Road trade routes linking it to Europe. China continues to aggressively push it forward despite many misgivings. Originally the Silk Road, ran from the west, Palestine, Europe, Iran, Iraq, all on a trade route which happened organically.

The questions are: What is this initiative exactly, and what will be the implications for America? There could be significant geo-political implications above and beyond China’s expansion, as it would also give China access to world places where the U.S. is not so heavily involved.

A government sponsored policy by Pres. Xi Jinping, and the centerpiece of his foreign policy, the road itself is a multi-funded program to construct logistics and transportation infrastructure initially in Central Asia, S, Europe, and Latin America. Its goal to expand the economic power of China and its influence throughout the world.

In 1997 China’s GDP was $0.8 trillion US; the United States was $8.9 trillion. In 2016, the US was at $19 trillion, China at $11.5! From a factor of 10, China, closed the gap to 2. China realizes that to move forward globally they have to function differently. This has resulted in extensive revitalization and a major “mind” transformation; from being inwardly focused to “going outward”.

This initiative is about “billions of people, dozens of countries, all crying out for railways and port facilities, a fast lane to an inevitably prosperous future, all under the benign leadership of the 21st century, ‘win win’ power of China’s strategic socialism for a new era”.

The Belt and Road Initiative has become more than just an interesting idea by which to focus diplomatic, economic, and strategic thinking. It has become instead an end in itself. It is spoken of as a quasi-international organization, that states can “join” by giving the nod to China’s rising power and “endorsing” the whole project. It is seen as carrying Xi Jinping’s personal support and has been incorporated into the CPC constitution (Source: Forbes).

Will the U.S. be shut out or be invited to participate? Join us to hear our experts opinions.

And once again we are honored to be underwritten by The Hatton W. Sumner’s Foundation, Inc. The McCuistion Program, a 501 ( C ) ( 3 ) tax exempt organization does not receive any KERA pledge dollars, PBS funds or government grants. The funding which has kept us on the air for 28 years comes from grantors and viewers just like you. So thank you for your continued support.

Be sure to watch more McCuistion TV programs on our website, www.McCuistionTV.com.

We appreciate you,

Niki McCuistion, CSP
Co-founder/ Executive Producer
Certified Speaker, Coach, Consultant
Transforming Corporate Culture…
Aligning Purpose, Performance and People
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
(214) 394-6794
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| www.therootsofwar.com | www.mccuistiontv.com

Many thanks for your continued support!

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2424 – 04.29.18