Taihe Young International Scholar Alliance (TYISA), a platform for academic exchange among international young scholars, held its monthly seminar on May 30, 2021. This month’s topic addressed China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with particular emphasis on international trade. The TYISA seminar gathered a wide-ranging online audience participation from different countries and continents such as Cambodia and Pakistan (Asia) and Algeria (Africa).
The invited speaker was Bunthorn Sok, a member of Editorial Committee of Taihe Institute Observer. He is presently a lecturer of International Studies at Royal University of Phnom Penh and the government-run Royal School of Administration of Cambodia. Mr. Bunthorn is also the Chief of Bureau of General Directorate of International Trade of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia as his research interests lie in international trade, commercial and economic diplomacy and Asian foreign policies.
The webinar began with a presentation session as Mr. Bunthorn explained the origin, motivations and principles of the BRI. Talking about “old regionalism vs new regionalism”, he stated that the BRI represents a new regionalism that is more inclusive and more liberal. He said that China’s BRI policy not only benefits each participating country, but also serves as a model for the reform of other international organizations, with implications on WTO rules. Representing the new regionalism, the BRI is not only replacing the old regionalism, but also poses a challenge to the existing non-free regional organizations, he pointed out.
During the webinar’s discussion session, Dr. Kaddour Chelabi, Mr. Wang Hongyang, Mr. Yasin Rahim and the other participating scholars made insightful comments.
With a forward-thinking and aspirational mission, TYISA will continue to organize monthly seminars and activities to provide a platform for interaction and exchange among young scholars and to help young people develop their leadership skills with a view to play a more important role in international affairs.
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