China’s Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN’s maritime cluster

• Main Authors: EVERS, Hans-Dieter, MENKHOFF, Thomas
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2018
• Subjects: maritime clusters; maritime policy; connectivity; Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); China; Indonesia; Malaysia; Asian Studies; International Business; Transportation
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/5973; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/6972/viewcontent/ChinaBRI_Maritime_SEASSR_2018_pv.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

This paper centres around China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and makes a case for further examining the possible effects of the complementary ‘Maritime Silk Road’ on Southeast Asia’s maritime clusters with reference to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Port development with “Chinese engagement” from Port Klang in Malaysia to Sri Lanka to Gwadar in Pakistan to some Gulf state ports to Piraeus in Greece provides a string of valuable pearls in the form of harbours from which adjoining areas can be serviced through feeder vessels or railway lines by Chinese government-linked companies. Whether China’s heavy investments in land and maritime infrastructure will lead to the intended development of strong and dense maritime clusters with deep connectivity and complementary sub-clusters for mutual socio-economic development benefits remains to be seen. Academic research to follow these trends, as well as the creation of a comprehensive maritime policy, is advocated for ASEAN nations.