Beijing calls for new ‘Silk Road’ between China and Europe

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on 8 March 2015 for an upgrade of the trade links with Europe. The minister held a press briefing on China's foreign policy at the fringes of a plenary session of the 12th National People's Congress, China’s 2,987-member strong legislative body.

The European Commission was in a process of assessing China's market economy status within the World Trade Organisation (WTO). China was categorised as a non-market economy when it was admitted to WTO membership in 2001. However, the issue is up for review in 2016, with some legal interpretations suggesting that China should automatically receive MES.

• Primary Source

ECFR: Commentary, 13.05.15: China’s silk road to nowhere? http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_chinas_silk_road_to_nowhere3025

EUObserver, 18.05.15: [Opinion]: Europe: The other end of China's Silk Road https://euobserver.com/opinion/128726

ESO: Background information: The New Silk Road: a versatile instrument in China’s policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-new-silk-road-a-versatile-instrument-in-chinas-policy/

ESO: Background information: China’s way: the new Silk Road http://www.europeansources.info/record/chinas-way-the-new-silk-road/

ESO: Background information: China planning eastern Europe transport hub http://www.europeansources.info/record/china-planning-eastern-europe-transport-hub/

EUObserver, 08.06.15: Hungary signs up to Silk Road project https://euobserver.com/eu-china/129002

The World Today, Vo.71, No.5, September 2015: China's inroads into the West https://www.chathamhouse.org/publication/twt/chinas-inroads-west

EUObserver, 20.10.15: Silk Road: China's project could transform Eurasia https://euobserver.com/eu-china/130762

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