Yao Xiaolin 姚嘯林 (PhD candidate at the School of International Studies of Peking University)

Host:

Enzo Kong (Governor, Path of Democracy)

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro

01:32 China's plan to relieve domestic industrial overcapacity

05:28 Internationalization of RMB and the digital RMB

08:23 Debt-trap diplomacy and the Sri Lanka example

13:05 Lack of materialization of BRI projects

16:17 Australia's withdrawal from the BRI

18:10 Is Build Back Better World a threat for the BRI?

19:59 Young people coming to study in China

13:47 Evolution of the BRI

Zayed Bennani (Founder and President, Peking University HSBC Business School Student Union)

Host:

Enzo Kong (Governor, Path of Democracy)

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro and Africa’s post-COVID recovery plan

13:22 North Africa’s strategic importance

16:08 Morocco’s role in the BRI

18:04 Potential of the Tangier Tech City

22:04 Phosphates and rare earth elements of Morocco

24:24 The largest concentrated solar farm in the world

26:40 Chinese tourists in Morocco

28:35 African youth’s prospects in the BRI

Anastasija Milkovska (Holder of Master's degree in Economic Development and International Finance)

Host:

Enzo Kong (Governor, Path of Democracy)

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro and a bit of history

05:19 EU accession and disputes with Greece and Bulgaria

13:19 What does BRI mean for North Macedonia

16:23 Strategic importance of the 2 Chinese-built highways

24:17 North Macedonia’s sunshine and potential for solar power

29:40 North Macedonia as a tourist spot

32:07 Information asymmetry for companies

38:05 BRI as a bottom-up initiative led by the youth

Luca Bonadiman (Current JD student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Host:

Enzo Kong (Governor, Path of Democracy)

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro and Luca's journey so far

07:49 The Godfather and the historic and cultural ties between Italy and China

11:45 What the BRI means to Italy

23:59 The Port of Trieste deal and the China-EU investment deal

33:20 China's soft power strategy and the potential for the BRI as a bottom-up initiative

Ivan Piper (PhD student and Teaching Assistant at the University of Donja Gorica)

Host:

Enzo Kong (Governor, Path of Democracy)

Show notes:

00:00 Intro, 15 years since independence

05:39 Current administration and EU accession

08:58 Cultural and historical roots of BRI

13:42 Bar-Boljare motorway and debt sustainability

25:53 Chinese donation for reconstruction of Tara bridge

27:29 Attracting Chinese tourists

30:34 Environmental protection and energy projects

33:05 Young people's struggles and exchange opportunities in the far East

38:07 Vaccine diplomacy and Montenegrins' perception towards BRI

Ana Palazzo (Current Master’s student in Contemporary China Studies in Renmin University, Major in Agriculture by UFV, MBA degree in Marketing by Fundace/USP)

Host:

Enzo Kong (Governor, Path of Democracy)

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro and a look back at BRICS

04:24 Innovative financing solutions under BRICS

12:29 Brazil’s agricultural supremacy

17:13 China as a huge customer for Brazilian produce

19:59 Trade war’s impact on Brazilian’s exports

22:41 Potential for Chinese investments in Brazilian agribusiness

28:26 Brazilian manufacturers’ struggles and the much-needed reforms

32:49 Covid’s toll on Brazil

36:16 Brazi’s youth issues

39:45 Ana’s experience of studying in China

41:42 Football exchanges and forecast of the BRI

Ugne Mikalajunaite (China Studies graduate from Yenching Academy of Peking University)

Host:

Enzo Kong (Governor, Path of Democracy)

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro

01:43 PM Šimonytė and her foreign policy

03:45 Lithuania quitting the BRI, China recalling ambassador amid Lithuania's Taiwan ties

07:59 Port of Klaipėda and the strategic concerns

14:47 A successful deal in the energy sector and dependency on Russia

18:30 Lithuania clashing with Belarus

24:30 Lithuania's tech ambitions

30:46 Brain drain within Lithuania

33:49 'Create Lithuania' and BRI

36:26 Ugne's love for Hong Kong and journey of studying in China

43:03 Advice for saving the China-Lithuania relationship

JetnorKasmi (Albanian researcher focusing on Asian politics)

Host:

EnzoKong (Governor, Path of Democracy)

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro and Albania travel tips

02:39 PM Rama and EU accession

08:44 Historic Albania-China ties

12:25 The mess in the Tirana International Airport

20:09 Albania's agricultural exports and EU standards

25:51 Albania's ties with the Middle East and the US

29:05 Student protests in 2018/19

35:15 BRI's engagement with the Albanian youth

37:10 Jetnor's experience of studying in Asia

40:38 Improving Albania's public perception of China

AnekaRebeccaRajbhandari (Political Science graduate from Peking University)

Host:

EnzoKong (Governor, Path of Democracy)

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro and Covid update

04:23 PM Deuba and his pro-India accusations

08:20 Nepal's participation in the BRI

14:17 Trans-Himalayan railway linking Kerung-Kathmandu and Nepal's exports

22:00 Chinese investments in the energy and industrial sectors

29:12 Instability in Nepali domestic politics

31:32 Climate adaptation and green finance

32:46 Issues and opportunities for the Nepali youth

36:18 Aneka's journey so far

41:04 BRI's road ahead and capacity building