【一带一路】冯达旋教授、梁海明教授：中国与东盟在基础设施合作方面比西方有优势

一谈到“一带一路”基础设施建设，就免不了提到所谓的“债务陷阱”。这是一个被西方国家恶意夸大的问题。海南大学“一带一路”研究院名誉院长冯达旋教授与院长梁海明教授明确表示，在中国-东盟合作项目中，根本不存在所谓的“债务陷阱”。

A section of the China-Laos Railway built by PowerChina Photo: Courtesy of PowerChina

Relying on its multiple advantages, China continues to strengthen and solidify collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In recent years, one of the most striking areas which attracted global attention is a number of rail projects. The projects fall under the auspices of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While the US, Japan, and other Western nations are now paying attention to such projects, they intend to compete with China.

For the 10 nations in ASEAN, in order for them to achieve sound economic growth, one of the prerequisites is for each and every one of them to accelerate their infrastructure construction.

Since China proposed the BRI in 2013, ASEAN has leveraged this initiative to significantly strengthen their collaboration with China on various infrastructure constructions. ASEAN and China have jointly invested in more than 22 large-scale projects construction. In recent years, this cooperation has intensified. Some of the projects, such as the China-Laos Railway, the China-Thailand Railway, the Malaysia East Coast Railway, and many other railway projects have now attracted global attention.

These railway projects have not only propelled the rapid development of transportation connectivity within ASEAN, they can also accelerate the rapid flow of capital, technology and personnel. Indeed, they can impart impetus for the Chinese and ASEAN economic and trade collaboration.

Whenever one discusses BRI infrastructure construction, one cannot avoid talking about the so-called "debt trap" topic. This is a subject that is sinisterly exaggerated by the Western nations. We can categorically state that for China-ASEAN cooperation projects, the so-called "debt trap" simply does not exist.

We believe there are at least the following reasons why China has received favorable reactions from ASEAN and with that, it opened the door to other significant opportunities to undertake numerous infrastructure construction projects.

First, there exist certain obvious comprehensive advantages. Globally speaking, China is the only country in the world obtaining all the industrial categories listed in the United Nations industrial classification. China has a complete industrial infrastructure chain which is head and shoulders above all other nations.

Second, China, unlike the Western nations, is more willing and ready to engage in long-term investment. Large-scale construction project investments such as railways requires a significant amount of capital, a very long, generally many multi-years construction period, together with a high risk of capital return. Facing such challenges, many Western countries with risk analysis would find it difficult to proceed with such endeavors.

Third, compared with Western countries, China exercises greater flexibilities in financing. On the one hand, it can leverage public funds, such as the China Development Bank, the China Export-Import Bank and the Silk Road Fund. On the other hand, it can involve private funds, such as establishing financing partnerships with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the BRICS New Development Bank, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. By allowing a greater diversified infrastructure financing, the Chinese government can make it as attractive as possible to private investors to create new and innovative financial structures.

Fourth, China tends to be more targeted. There is no doubt that in terms of infrastructure, China's strongest strength is "hard infrastructure," such as railways, highways, ports, and bridges, while the US, Japan and other Western nations have outstanding strengths in "soft infrastructure" such as digital technology, information and communication, public health care, and energy. For the current ASEAN nations, it is well recognized that they aim to vigorously develop their respective economies. This means that at least for the foreseeable future, what they need imminently fall under "hard infrastructure."

To meet challenges, China must never cease to strengthen its technological research and innovation in infrastructure construction, and be aiming to invest in higher standards, greener as well as more sustainable infrastructure projects. In this regard, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, especially Hong Kong, can significantly contribute in multiple manners to the strengthening of the infrastructure cooperation between China and ASEAN nations.

As a global financial center, Hong Kong can play a leading role in the infrastructure projects in ASEAN by creating innovative financial cooperation system. It can also provide additional financing channels for the infrastructure projects. Indeed, Hong Kong is globally renowned in having robust experiences in the field of metropolitan subway developments. The so-called Rail + Property (or R+P) model created by the MTR Corporation has successfully instigated the unique business development of commercial real estates. Having this under its belt, Hong Kong can apply this model to Chinese mainland's railway projects invested in ASEAN nations. This will undoubtedly enhance the attractiveness of China's railway projects, and bring unforeseen opportunities for Hong Kong related industries.

Feng Da Hsuan is honorary dean of Hainan University Belt and Road Research Institute; Liang Haiming is dean of Hainan University Belt and Road Research Institute.

原标题：China holds advantages over the West in infrastructure cooperation with ASEAN

文章来源：Global Times

图片来源：Global Times

海南大学“一带一路”研究院

HUBRRI

海南大学 “一带一路”研究院在光明日报社和南京大学联合发布的“一带一路”领域全国最新专项排名中，媒体影响力名列全国第一，综合实力名列全国第五。

海南大学 “一带一路”研究院与清华大学公共管理学院研究中心、北京大学汇丰金融研究院等机构一起，于2019年底入选中国智库索引（CTTI）来源智库，并于2022年入选“中国智库索引（CTTI）高校智库百强榜”，获评为A等级智库。海南大学“一带一路”研究院并成为海南大学及海南省首个也是目前唯一一个荣登CTTI高校智库百强榜的高校智库。

海南大学“一带一路”研究院还作为中国华南地区唯一高校代表，入选“一带一路”国际智库合作委员会成员单位，成员单位包括欧盟-亚洲中心、法国可持续发展与国际关系研究所、英国海外发展研究所，以及中国财政部中国财政科学研究院、国家开发银行研究院、北京大学国际战略研究院、中科院科技战略咨询院等56家中外机构。

微信｜海南大学一带一路研究院

微博｜海南大学一带一路研究院

澎湃号｜海大一带一路研究院

原标题：《【一带一路】冯达旋教授、梁海明教授：中国与东盟在基础设施合作方面比西方有优势》

阅读原文