Research outcomes on the BRI released by CASS Photo: Zhu Gaolei/CSST

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) unveiled two major research outcomes on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at a release conference in Beijing on Nov. 8. The two works are The Belt and Road Initiative: Past, Present, and Future, and The Handbook of the Belt and Road 2023 (English Edition), which were also displayed at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in mid-October.

The Belt and Road Initiative: Past, Present, and Future was co-authored by scholars from CASS and Europe, and offers an in-depth, comprehensive analysis of the history, current status, and future prospects of the China-proposed initiative. 

The book comprises three sections. The first part reviews the historical background of the BRI and related China-West exchanges, discussing the connotation and roots of the “Silk Road Spirit” through historical and civilizational studies. In the second part, multi-disciplinary and multi-perspective research is conducted on the results achieved over the past decade since the BRI was proposed, alongside challenges it faces, in terms of industrial cooperation, economic and trade contact, regional development, legal norms, international relations, and other aspects. The third part begins with a theoretical analysis and holistically elaborates on the profound impact of the BRI on global governance, providing experiential references for seeking solutions to common challenges faced by the current international community.

The Handbook of the Belt and Road 2023 (English Edition) provides a comprehensive and profound exploration of the historical context, conceptual implications, and framework of the BRI. Serving as an encyclopedic resource on the initiative, it also serves as a foundational tool for disseminating relevant knowledge and as an essential volume elucidating the concept and substance of the BRI. 

The handbook is organized in an “entry model” style, which is more acceptable to academics and intellectuals and easier for readers to consult and use. Covering diverse fields with the latest content, it boasts significant referential value to think tank scholars, media professionals, and university students at home and abroad.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI. At the conference, CASS Vice President Wang Changlin noted that over the past decade, the initiative has developed from a concept into practices and from a vision into realities, extending from economic cooperation to encompassing all aspects of international exchanges. 

Since the inception of the BRI, CASS has delved deep into historical and cultural resources to advance the theoretical research and interpretation of the initiative. This premier think tank has to date generated over 200 monographs, in excess of 2,400 academic papers, and a wealth of research reports and feature articles, spanning disciplines such as politics, economics, sociology, cultural studies, and history.

The conference was hosted by CASS and organized by the Bureau of Scientific Research Management at CASS.