The Chinese project “Belt and Road Initiative – (BRI)” is the largest development program of its kind worldwide. China is investing heavily in the network of trade routes overland, over sea and in the air. The project highlights China’s ambition to intensify collaboration with Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. What does this development mean for countries and their regions along the Silk Road? Which aspects have to be considered in regard to this project, especially for politics and economy? What are the economic prospects and opportunities of this cooperation and connectivity? What are the challenges and risks arisen from the New Silk Road initiative?

The aim of the project at the Center for Advanced Studies is to illuminate the initiative of the New Silk Road from new and different perspectives especially focusing on the regional and local level. The collection of different articles by scientists from different disciplines is intended to create an inter- and transdisciplinary overall picture of a global project and its regional and local effects. Based on our own research in Georgia and the launch of a platform on China and the New Silk Road through the organization of two conferences in Italy and Germany, the editors have built up their own expertise and a network of experts on the topic.