China's Belt and Road Initiative: Making Sense of China’s Mega Projects

In this seminar, a panel of speakers will consider and discuss the governance and management of mega infrastructure projects within the context of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Online registration for this event is now closed. Due to high numbers, if you have registered and are unable to attend please email Confucius@leeds.ac.uk to let us know.

The Belt and Road initiative was launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013, with the aim of improving and creating new trading routes, links and business opportunities between China and the rest of the world. Consisting of two main elements (the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road), the Belt and Road routes cover over 60 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

It is estimated that the Belt and Road countries account for two-thirds of the world's population, but only account for one thirds of the world's GDP. Infrastructure is key to the economic development of countries along these routes.

This discussion will consider the players involved in mega infrastructure projects and the challenges of running them successfully, specifically in relation to their stated aims and objectives and KPIs. We will discuss and debate how China is performing as a mega project owner and contractor. There will also be a fascinating case study into the involvement of Chinese state-owned enterprise COSCO in operating the Greek port of Piraeus, a key transport hub in the Mediterranean.

Speakers

Dr Giorgio Locatelli, Lecturer in Infrastructure Procurement and Management, University of Leeds

Dr Igor Rogelja, Teaching Fellow, Lau China Institute, King's College London

Dr Konstantinos Tsimonis, Lecturer in Chinese Society, Lau China Institute, King's College London

After each panel member has given a brief presentation there will be a discussion and opportunities for questions.

Agenda

5:30pm - registration

5:50pm - seminar begins

6:50pm - Q&A and discussion

7:30pm - event close

Event registration

Online registration for this event is now closed. Due to high numbers, if you have registered and are unable to attend please email Confucius@leeds.ac.uk to let us know.