China and megaregional integration: the New Maritime Silk Road in Africa

Abstract

This article examines the China’s Belt and Road (B&R) trade and investment initiative. The B&R concept is formed of two projects: the Silk Road Economic Belt and the New Maritime Silk Road. This study focusses, specifically, on the range of implementation of the New Maritime Silk Road in Africa. For this, two variables are analysed that could be decisive in this process: the current regionalism trend of establishing megaregional free trade agreements and the agenda for domestic economic reform in China.

Keywords

• megaregional integration
• Silk Road Economic Belt
• New Maritime Silk Road
• realism
• China
• Africa