NEW SILK ROAD – NEW GROWTH ENGINE

JANKOVIĆ Aleksandar (Head of Asia, Australia, and Pacific Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia),

New Silk Road is the strategic initiative that encompasses the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is commonly abbreviated as the Belt and Road. The main objective of the Belt and Road Initiative is to ensurestable and more balanced economic growth in China, as well as strengthening economic and transport connections with neighbours in Central Asia, with Europe, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. China is the initiator and leader of connection and cooperation within the Belt and Road. However, the initiative represents a development opportunity not just for China,but also for over 60 countries that are lined along the new Silk Road. One of these countries is Serbia, whose position on the New Silk Road is determined by many factors

Keywords: New Silk Road, Belt and Road Initiative, China, Serbia, economic growth