Singapore University of Social Sciences

The Chongqing Connectivity Initiative

The Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (OEL326)

Synopsis

The main objective of OEL326 is to provide students with the environments and tools to develop a deeper understanding of the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (CCI) -New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor - CCI-ILSTC, which serves as a bridge between the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This is achieved through a combination of experiential learning, e-learning, classroom activities, and participation in an overseas trip to Chongqing, China. In November 2018, Singapore and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to develop the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor under the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstrative Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI-ILSTC) (中新(重庆) 战略性互联互通示范项目国际陆海贸易新通道). Under the MOU, the CCI-ILSTC will incorporate the four CCI priority sectors, namely; financial services, aviation, transport & logistics and information & communications technology and other modern services. It will facilitate trade through stronger data, digital and financial flows, standardisation of logistics practices and customs cooperation. The CCI-ILSTC will also lower international logistics cost, catalyse the development of modern industries and services, and provide companies with more options to transport goods. The development of CCI-ILSTC is expected to promote multimodal and multifaceted economic links that catalyse conventional trade connectivity and new dimensions of connectivity like finance and professional services in China’s western region and Southeast Asia, resulting in greater integration of both regions. This course will encourage students to critically analyse the opportunities and complexities facing the conventional trade connectivity and new dimensions of connectivity like finance and professional services in China’s western region and Southeast Asia, by comparing the trade ideologies and policies in both countries. Through the interactions with local practitioners and trade-related projects in Chongqing and Singapore, students will not only learn about the opportunities in the BRI/ CCI-ILSTC, but also get to critically reflect on the relationship between BRI/ CCI-ILSTC and trade connectivity.

Level: 3
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: Every July

Topics

  • Experiential Learning
  • International Trade and the Political Economy of BRI/ CCI-ILSTC
  • Global sourcing and production networks in the context of the BRI
  • Impact of the BRI on trade connectivity, global logistics and supply Chain
  • Sustainability issues along the Belt and Road
  • Intermodal developments in the context of the BRI
  • E-Cross border and single window system for efficient trade and logistics development
  • Preparation and design of the overseas experiential learning project: Country or regional case studies on international trade and global logistics development related to the BRI

Learning Outcome

  • Identify the trends and fundamentals of trade in the context of BRI/CCI-ILSTC and the value to the global economy
  • Explain the role of different stakeholders (local and international) in the BRI/CCI-ILSTC
  • Examine the issues related to BRI/CCI-ILSTC and trade connectivity in the global economy
  • Deconstruct preconceptions about Chongqing and BRI/CCI-ILSTC and its significance in enabling trade flows
  • Compare the trade policies and practices in different regions in the BRI/CCI-ILSTC network
  • Construct new approaches to promote trade flows and connectivity in the BRI/CCI-ILSTC that takes into considerations the interests of all stakeholders in Chongqing and Singapore
  • Verify the new approaches with stakeholders
Back to top
Back to top