The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been exerting many visible impactson globalization, urbanization and development since its inauguration in2013.While BRI is framed by China as an inclusive platform of multilateralcooperation, it has been met with mixed perceptions in Europe. 

These disputing narratives necessitate a sober analysis of thenature, dynamics and influence of the BRI: to what extent has BRI shapedthe pattern of infrastructure connectivity, urban development and regionaland spatial integration? How can we reimagine this connectivity plan as akey driving force of new globalization? And, what are the scope and depthof impact of COVID pandemic on the cross-border engagement associatedwith BRI?

In this webinar, Prof. Chen Xiangming, a renowned scholar in global urban studies, will present his newpoints of view and analysis on these critical issues.This will be based on his latest BRI book projectpublished 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 ResearcherHans Jørgen Gåsemyr from Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, as the commentator, will be offeringa Nordic perspective.

Welcome remarks: Prof. Duncan McCargo, Director, NIAS 

Moderator: Dr. Chunrong Liu, Executive Vice 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

Fudan-European Centre for China Studies and NIAS - Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, co-organized by NUPI - Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, ThinkChina, and FDDI - FudanDevelopment Institute

Chen Xiangmingis Raether Distinguished Professor of Global Urban Studies andSociology, Trinity College, where he served as the founding Dean and Director ofUrban and Global Studies and Director of the Center for Urban and Global Studiesat 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 Delmanis Professor at the Dept. of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies atthe University of Copenhagen. He is currently working on projects touching uponChinese 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 Gåsemyris a senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of ComparativePolitics, University of Bergen. He is currently involved in a research projects on Chinaand the sustainable development goals, as well as a project on the potential risks ofinvestments for national security.