[Book Launch] Rivers of Iron: Railroads and Chinese Power in Southeast Asia

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled what would come to be known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—a global development strategy involving infrastructure projects and associated financing throughout the world, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. While the Chinese government has framed the plan as one promoting transnational connectivity, critics and security experts see it as part of a larger strategy to achieve global dominance. Rivers of Iron examines one aspect of President Xi Jinping’s “New Era”: China’s effort to create an intercountry railway system connecting China and its seven Southeast Asian neighbors (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam). This book illuminates the political strengths and weaknesses of the plan, as well as the capacity of the impacted countries to resist, shape, and even take advantage of China’s wide-reaching actions. Using frameworks from the fields of international relations and comparative politics, the authors of Rivers of Iron seek to explain how domestic politics in these eight Asian nations shaped their varying external responses and behaviors. How does China wield power using infrastructure? Do smaller states have agency? How should we understand the role of infrastructure in broader development? Does industrial policy work? And crucially, how should competing global powers respond?

"Rivers of Iron: Railroads and Chinese Power in Southeast Asia" is available for sale on Amazon.

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Speakers:
-- Prof. David M. Lampton, Senior Fellow, SAIS Foreign Policy Institute and Professor Emeritus, Johns Hopkins--SAIS

-- Asst Prof. Selina Ho, Assistant Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

-- Assoc Prof. Kuik Cheng-Chwee, Associate Professor and Head of the Centre for Asian Studies, Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), National University of Malaysia (UKM)

Chairperson:
Prof. Khong Yuen Foong, Vice Dean (Research and Development) and Li Ka Shing Professor in Political Science, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

#GovernancefortheFuture #publicpolicy #policymatters
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[leoncioco]

This is how a discussion should be. Sometimes their opinions converge, sometimes not. They give me new insight on d complexity, d negotiating disadvantages n disadvantages of each governments. I wholly agree w/ d 3 speakers; that d so called “ death trap narrative, ” is just one big nothing burger, being push by anti- China coalition.

[yuchenliu]

Engineering challenges will be relatively easy to overcome, as proved by progress in the construction of high speed railway networks in southwest China provinces, which are full of great mountains and rivers. Political challenges will be much more difficult to tackle.

[michaeltse]

All countries were invited to join and USA could have and contributed finance, services, etc but they choose not to and instead just bad mouth it.

[lenomali]

Never under estimate the destruction by selfish politicians who work for the interest of rival state instead of their own people. Malaysia is famous for that.

[MrAli]

Excellent analysis and discussion on coming changes and maybe positive development in Asean countries.

[simonh]

USA Superiority over Others. How to contribute ??? That's how Big Bully Behave. Most of us experience it in our schooling time

[matiasazali]

Decentralize and land acquisition in Indonesia is part of local government mandate to have expedite economy. When ASEAN can have consensus for infrastructure ppp with guidance from central government then this is developing infrastructure.

[TanChoonHong]

One of the defining achievements of the Roman Empire was its vast network of roads giving rise to the saying “All roads lead to Rome.”

The US empire, on the other hand, preoccupied with endless wars and regime changes, neglected its infrastructure development while destroying the communications networks of many nations across Africa and the Middle East. Before long the world will be spouting “All roads lead to Beijing, ” whether of iron or concrete.

[pahatpahat]

I believe many of the ASEAN members seem unable to understand the positive impact of rail freight on their national logistics costs. With the exception of Singapore, a small island with plenty of emphasis on her port as an international hub, the other ASEAN members which are connected to China need to revisit the scenario which has spurred China to what she is today. Remember, in the 90s, China overall logistics cost was pegged at 29% of her GDP and today according to WB, the last report indicated that she had reduced this factor to 14.6%. And if you put this in dollars, at an GDP of US15 Trillions, her saving is more than US2 Trillions. I am sure she aim to reach the below 10% mark, by then she would again create a national saving of a couples of US$ Trillions; so if the West wonders as to why China could spread her infrastructure internally and across the Eurasian landmass plus the African continent, while creating unnecessary issues to create problems of no benefit to the world; She would continue to strengthen her position!

[LostPieceOfTheCol]

Ultimately those countries want the railway for development

[kienwenchang]

There Are Knowledge Secrets in Every Knowledge Field。

[magdalene]

China should make much more effort to engage local population in term of jobs, trading etc. to reduce anger directed at them and make the project more welcoming & successful. China can help in other aspects to make social improvement for respective countries. Otherwise It seems China just want to mill through other countries just to achieve their mission/dream. WIN-win as ' WIN' for China and 'win' for everybody else.

[thomasho]

Does Mike how do you say he really know what is BRI mean Like China said this is a win-win project

[suneast]

Vry typical gweilo bulywrd "Chinese Power"
Not say frienship, patnership, asistan, gd neighbrlines, win2
No
Must say neg label "power"

[seanmong]

Thanks for the upload.
What is the central thesis of this book?
What theoretical framework are the authors using to examine this thesis?
What are the conclusions that will inform our understanding of China-ASEAN relationship and China’s “developmental” diplomatic initiatives across the globe?

[Dan-khfg]

China’s power not Chinese power. Don’t mix two things. It is big difference

[allanbeesey]

I think the jury is still out whether China is manipulating countries into debt, like ports in Sri Lanka and Greece, and they will control a port in Rakhine State, Burma. Strategic no doubt, but for what, sounds ruthless to me and in line with their security ruthlessness. While helping SE Asia they are destroying the Mekong River, some members of ASEAN are in debt to them and can never vote against them. Laos and Cambodia are totally beholden to them. The 'experts' on this panel sound more like China apologists than neutral researchers!

[fredtan]

Chinese think in terms of 100 yrs or more. Remember, the ancient silk road evolved in a span of about 2000 yrs. The BRI is just new born infant. It will grow and last another 2000 yrs. What you are discussing, alleged death trap and what not, are part of the growing process and these "hiccups" are inevitable and will pass. Those who didn't join at present will join in the future. They just have to join the Bri sooner or later (perhaps next yr, perhaps next 100 yrs) or they'll be left to "die" economically.

[Hahaha]

And that's only south East Asia, there is the rest of the world.

[magdalene]

Isn't it bad planning to build a port where no ships come????