China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was proposed in 2013, aiming to strengthen infrastructure, trade, investment, policy and people-to-people links between China and other countries in the world. While the scope of the BRI initiative is still taking shape, more regions and countries are becoming interested in it. 

At the same time, the BRI is also accommodating those countries and regional and international organizations that are interested in becoming part of it. As such, the BRI will have a greater impact on international society. This talk explains how the BRI offers a view to analyze China’s changing perception of itself and the world from a “China-centered world” to “China in the World.”

Dr. ZHANG Zhenjiang is currently a full Professor of International Relations and the Dean of the School of International Studies/Academy of Overseas Chinese Studies, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. He is also the Vice Chairman for China Southeast Asian Studies Association, the Vice Chairman of China Association for the Overseas Chinese History Studies, Vice Chairman of the Guangzhou Association for Political Science Studies, the Board Member of Chinese in Africa/Africans in China Research Network (CA/AC), and the Expert Advisor to the Office of Overseas Chinese Affairs, the State Council of PRC. His research interests cover the history and theory of international relations, American foreign policy, international relations in Asia-Pacific, transnational migration, Southeast Asian regionalism, Chinese diaspora and foreigners in China.