Alain Richard, Chairman, French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs

Speech at Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing on April 25, 2019

● A very positive and constructive initiative from China

● A strategy to enhance growth at an international, and not only domestic, level

● To be balanced, fair and positive, it needs rules of the game. If based on appropriate agreements, it stimulates production and exports in most or all countries involved. Otherwise, it could bring unbalances and weaken some of the partners

● So it is an important contribution to multilateralism on the economic field. It would work best under a regime of transparency and of even playing field among the partner countries

Could it be structured under a comprehensive agreement, or at least through a network of agreements clearly open to all other partners of the initiative ? By the way, on these issues, only the EU is entitled (and not the member states) to conclude trade agreements with third parties. The incentive for growth will be stronger if all partners manage their exchanges through the same rules and norms. 

Should the BRI become a forum to design (and implement) common rules for technology, safety and environment norms ?  Or could there be a common initiative to give more strength to WTO, the most legitimate multilateral forum for governments willing to support fair exchanges ?

Lastly, the development of trade in goods implies a strong increase in movements of trains and above all of commercial ships. Given the common commitment of China and Europe to reduce carbone missions in due time, there should be shared initiatives to mix this development in transport with progress in carbon-free transport. Train is basically responsible but it remains to be seen what source the electricity comes from. A common plan on the issue would be a positive factor. 

But the main issue is with the level of carbon emissions but also toxic gas generated by heavy commercial ships. A dialogue between the partner nations and their main professional contributors for maritime transport could be a game-changer on the issue of the environment impact of foreign trade.  

DISCLAIMER 

The views expressed in this article are entirely those of the author(s) own, and not those of the Belt and Road Studies Network (BRSN).