"The Belt and Road" (B&R) initiative is an important new measure that has been adopted by the Chinese government in recognition of the new reality of slower economic growth. It is a major new strategy that seeks to strengthen China's status within the global economy and global trade, and to give China greater influence in international affairs. On the other hand, the target countries of Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy”, Southeast Asian and South Asian nations, are also seen, by China, as having an important role to play in the B&R initiative
Our main conclusions are as follows:
1. In the short term, based on economic considerations, the “The Belt and Road” should be able to go smoothly. Moreover, in the long run, some countries along the “The Belt and Road”, due to factors such as poverty, backwardness, and political instability, will lead to the success of the “The Belt and Road.”
2. For Taiwan, apart from paying attention to the development of ASEAN and mainland China, should also pay attention to the relations between ASEAN countries, so as to increase chances of entering the ASEAN countries.
3. Taiwan investment in ASEAN is not necessarily due to the impact of mainland China, but the share exports to the ASEAN market has been difficult to increase for a long time. 4. "The Belt and Road" initiative and "New Southbound Policy" may not necessarily be conflict-based competing policies, and may even form complementarities.