Reflections on the 10th Anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative – China’s Foreign Policy Strategy

This September marks the 10th anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an ambitious infrastructure development program seeking to link China with markets and economies across the globe. Called the “project of the century,” the BRI has become a signature foreign policy strategy framework of the Xi Jinping era. In the past decade, more than 150 countries across the globe have joined the BRI through MOUs and investment partnerships, most of which are in Africa and across Asia. While supporters praise the BRI for boosting the participating countries’ economy and global GDP, critics have been skeptical of its goals and impact on overseas development. 

On September 28, Bates Gill, Executive Director of Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis, will reflect on the BRI's history, successes, and challenges, and look ahead to China’s changing foreign policy strategy, including through the recently-launched Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. He will be joined by David Bachman, Henry M. Jackson Professor of International Studies at the University of Washington. 

This program is a part of our Seeking Truth Through Facts U.S.-China Program Series, which focuses on new strategic frameworks for the bilateral relationship, plurilateral relationships, rebalancing trade, national security, technology, and climate change; as well as the global impact of the political and economic landscape. 

This is an in-person, on-the-record event in Seattle. As we celebrate the launch our new Asia Society Seattle Center, we are offering complimentary access to the community, including exclusive virtual access to Asia Society Northern California's members (Zoom link will be sent in advance of the program).

Registration and confirmation of registration is required. Space is limited.

AGENDA

Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Pacific  

5:00 p.m.       Registration Opens

5:30 p.m.     Program Starts

6:30 p.m.     Program Ends

Location: 1301 5th Ave, Suite 1500, Seattle, WA 98101

SPEAKERS

Dr. Bates Gill is Executive Director of Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis where he leads a team of research fellows, associated researchers, and administrative staff to deliver on the Center’s aim to be a global leader for policy-relevant, objective analysis of China’s politics, economy, and society and its impact on Asia and the world.

Prior to joining the Asia Society, Bates held a number of research and academic leadership positions in the Indo-Pacific, Europe and United States.  Most recently, he was professor and chair of the Department of Security Studies and Criminology at Macquarie University in Sydney and was also the inaugural Scholar-in-Residence with the Asia Society Australia.  In other previous roles, he served as director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), as the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and as founding director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution.

Among his other professional affiliations, Bates is a Senior Associate Fellow with the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London and serves on the Board of Governors of the Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore and on the Board of Advisors of the National Bureau of Asian Research.

The author or editor of nine books on China- and Asia-related topics, his most recent book, Daring to Struggle: China’s Global Ambitions under Xi Jinping was published in 2022 by Oxford University Press.  He has more than 200 other publications and conducted research-related travel to more than 50 countries.  Bates has consulted for corporations, government agencies, and philanthropic organizations, lectured widely and provided U.S. Congressional and other parliamentary testimony related to Asian and global affairs, and made more than 600 appearances in print, broadcast and digital media.

He received his Ph.D. in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia, lived and worked in China for two years, and has made more than 60 working visits to the country.  Bates received the Royal Order of the Commander of the Polar Star, the highest award bestowed up foreigners by the Swedish monarch, for his contributions to Swedish interests.

David Bachman is the Henry M. Jackson Professor of International Studies in the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. He has been a faculty member at UW since 1991, and taught at Stanford University and Princeton University prior to coming to the University of Washington. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University. He is the author/editor of three books and more than 50 articles on Chinese politics, foreign policy, political economy, and US-China relations. At the UW he teaches courses on Chinese Foreign Policy, US-China Relations, The Rise of Asia and the Making of the 21st Century.

He is a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. He was a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and President of the Washington State China Relations Council in 2005. He has chaired the Fulbright Committee on Academic Exchanges with the PRC.