2015 SATU Joint Research Scheme Program Date: 2015 / 04 / 21 (year /month/day) 1. Host University Tamkang University 2. Host Unit Graduate Institute of China Studies, College of International Studies 3. Joint Research Project Title Risks and Opportunities of China’s Maritime Silk Road in Southeast and South Asia 4. Principal Investigator Passport Name Nationality Chen, Chien-Fu Taiwan Gender XM □F Address No.151, Yingzhuan Rd., Tamsui Dist., New Taipei City 25137, Taiwan Telephone (Office) 02-2621-5656#3069 (Home / Mobile) 0918314128 E-mail Fax Number 5. Co- PI from the same unit – If any Passport Name Gender □M Nationality □F Address Telephone Fax Number (Office) (Home / Mobile) E-mail 6. Project Details Project Description In November 2014, China President Xi Jinping announced plans to create a 40 billion USD development fund, which would help finance China's “one belt and one road” (OBOR), a reference to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road(MSR). The OBOR strategy has become China’s major foreign policy goal, Beijing will promote this initiative economically, politically, militarily and culturally over the next eight to ten years. China had become the largest foreign finance partner of Sri Lanka. China's financial inflow for development of infrastructure projects by 2010 and both signed FTA in 2014, however, the surprising decision by the new government of Sri Lanka to reverse course and support a billion-dollar Chinese port project underscores the long shadow of Beijing’s influence in the region, even in other countries seemingly determined to push back. Many small and medium-sized countries are worried that economic dependence on China will lead to a flood of Chinese immigrants as well as an increase in domestic corruption, for example Sir Lanka. Some Silk Road countries are concerned about the negative effects large construction projects will have on the environment, while some small countries worry that large-scale investment will alter their traditional culture and way of life. In addition, many Silk Road countries suffer from political instability, serious corruption and/or the threat of terrorism. How to find political stable countries with economic potential that are willing to cooperate with China? Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) led by China, provides a new international financial platform to invite more countries joining the MSR program as well as keep out US. “Rebalance to Asia.” China gradually adjusts the traditional international investment, loans and the joint construction of infrastructure, in order to share China’s economic growth with Silk Road countries. In short, China does not want to become the finance ministry for Silk Road countries. The joint research program will examine the following questions: (1) How can China continue to invest the infrastructure construction in MSR’s countries? China is establishing a new platform - AIIB to enlarge alliances as well as exploring quasi-allies and partnerships with friendly countries in order to solve the dilemma of OBOR. (2) How can China resolve the distrust of neighboring countries in Southeast and South Asia, like India and Japan? Can China’s diplomacy decrease the pressure of US. “Rebalance to Asia”? (3) Taiwan government is looking forward to joining the AIIB, although few Taiwanese firms and business may have less opportunity to obtain the benefit of the OBOR. This program discusses that Taiwan, Southeastern and South Asia countries will either get the benefits of China's OBOR or handle with emerging financial risks of AIIB? 7. Acknowledgement (Signed by the President or SATU representative to show recognition) Name title __________________________________________________(signature) Date: / / (yyyy/mm/dd)