This book explores the opportunities and challenges that both Europe and Asia face under the framework of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSR Initiative), put forward by the Chinese government together with the Silk Road Economic Belt, reflects China’s ambition and vision to shape the global economic and political order. The first step and priority under the MSR Initiative, according to documents issued by China, is to build three ‘Blue Economic Passages’ linking China with the rest of the world at sea, two of which will connect China with Europe. This initiative, however, still faces enormous challenges of geopolitical suspicion and security risks. This book seeks to assess these risks and their causes for the cooperation between the Eurasian countries under the framework of MSR and puts forward suggestions to deal with these risks in the interdisciplinary perspectives of international relations and international law. Featuring a global team of contributors, this book will be of much interest to students of Asian politics, maritime security, international law and international relations.

The concept of a '21st-Century Maritime Silk Road' refers to the proposed modern-time version of the ancient Maritime Silk Road that connected China with the rest of Asia, and even parts of eastern Africa. It is a strategic initiative designed to increase investments in and foster collaboration among all countries along the ancient Silk Road. This volume, 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative: Aims and Objectives, Implementation Strategies and Policy Recommendations, presents the latest research findings on the directions and implementation methods related to the initiative, and contributors offer policy suggestions, include promoting effective macroeconomic policies, extending microeconomic cooperation schemes, removing trade barriers and facilitating financial integration, building infrastructures that can connect all subregions in Asia, and increasing people-to-people exchanges and industrial cooperation.

The Silk Road of the 21st Century, announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, will certainly change the world. It will definitely stimulate economic growth and prosperity in China, the rest of Asia and elsewhere. But how can we prevent the environmental damage and the increasing inequality on a planetary scale brought about by the construction of this “road” - or in reality: a network of highways, railways, sea routes and other connections? This book deals with the question for the Maritime branch of the new Silk Road and discusses relevant strategies and technologies for sustainable and responsible port innovation and development. The backbone of the study is formed by a number of case studies of port projects in and outside of China. Some chapters focus on best practices, while others discuss new academic viewpoints, but in all cases, suggestions for improvement are given. Based on the idea that a large investment agenda also creates moral responsibility, the Chinese cases also serve to ascertain whether and to what extent they can serve as an example for projects elsewhere. A few introductory and thematic chapters and the conclusion give steering and sense to the rest of the book. Ultimately, this title gives a first and coherent analysis and assessment of a project that is unparalleled in the world and that constitutes an important determining factor for our future.

From both what happened in the United States and Europe and what the political economy perspective of the world would expect， anyone may predict a weakening trend of the economic globalization in at least the near future.

This book delves into the political-economy of China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI), part of the larger Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a focus on Southeast Asia (SEA). It represents the second in a three-part book series on China’s MSRI. It discusses the state of the MSRI in various SEA countries such as Indonesia and Myanmar, highlights the international and domestic economic and political factors that shape individual SEA country’s embrace of China’s scheme, and examines the effects of China’s MSRI in individual SEA countries such as Cambodia and Malaysia. It also contemplates the role of third parties such as India and the United States on the behaviors of SEA countries and the implementation of the MSRI. It shows the MSRI is neither a boon nor bust and that the MSRI’s progress and effects are contingent on many factors requiring attention by those wanting to understand China’s mega initiative.