The book offers an in-depth research of the economic situations along the Belt and Road and the initiative’s cooperation prospects, opportunities and challenges. It draws on economic data, including those on trade, investment, infrastructure, urban distribution, industrial cooperation, financial integration and revision of historical and political background. The Belt and Road initiative (BRI) comes from not only the ancient Silk Road, but also a long-term international cooperation between China and relevant countries. As a China-led initiative, the BRI is built upon China’s international vision according to its development process. Therefore, the book also discusses how China balances its own development process among different domestic regions, and how the Initiative fits into the changes of global economic system and brings positive change for developing and developed economies involved, on the long haul. Furthermore, this book aims to find out precise direction of the initiative in order to assess appropriate implication on development under current globalization and provide valuable experience for future economic synergetic development by reviewing the past cooperative experience as references for policy-making and prospective engagement

In terms of methodology, analyses were conducted applying multi-methods with best available evidence to enrich the understanding of the potential of the BRI in terms of socio-economic impact on cooperation and difference and similarities of economic, cultural characteristics and political system among countries.