China asked to listen to the people to make BRI “people-centered”
MANILA, JAKARTA, DHAKA, ISLAMABAD, COLOMBO, Oct. 28, 2020 -Eight national and Asian regional organizations based in the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka on Wednesday asked China to listen to the voices of the people in communities most directly affected by Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. In a virtual press conference, leaders of the organizations said appropriate consultations with the local communities transformed by the BRI [read more]
China must listen to those directly affected by its belt and road projects to do the most good
The “water and boat” metaphor is often used in China to refer to the relationship between the people and the government. About 2,500 years ago, Chinese philosopher Xunzi, writing about governance, said that “people are the water while the rulers, the boat. Water can support the boat, or overturn it.” This metaphor has often been quoted as a reminder to rulers of the importance of the people. [read more]
Prologue
"The villagers see strangers measure their own houses and farmlands with equipment they’ve never seen before, and hear people talk about their own rivers and seas in languages they’ve never heard before. Something big is going to happen, for sure. But what? They do not know. There are questions. There are anticipations. Prologue By Xiaojun Wang, Asia Comms Lab In the third [read more]
Epilogue
"Regardless of how some people feel about it, whether they are for, or against, the Belt and Road Initiative, it has begun. It is happening and will continue to happen. This is the truth. There will be benefits and there will be costs. There will be consequences, both negative and positive. Where do we go from here? Epilogue By Wade S Dessart, People [read more]