China’s Belt and Road Initiative is one of President Xi’s most ambitious foreign and economic initiatives. It reflects a combination of economic and strategic drivers, not all of which can be easily reconciled. There are strategic drivers behind China’s Belt and Road Initiative, but it is also motivated by the country’s pressing domestic economic challenges. The combination of strategic and economic drivers is not always easy to reconcile. In some cases, China’s strategic objectives make it difficult to sell the economic aspects of the initiative to China’s neighbours. The Chinese Government is keen to use the initiative to achieve important economic policy objectives, but some Chinese financiers and policymakers are cautious about funding risky Belt and Road projects outside of China, fearing poor return on their investments. Written by ACYD alumnus Peter Cai.

Jill Xiaozhou Ju, an ACYD alumnus, was recently listed Forbes 30 under 30, a very significant achievement. Graduate of Peking University and Harvard Business School, Jill has worked in UBS in Hong Kong and Beijing, and is currently working at Greystar Europe managing a portfolio around 1Bn Pounds. Jill shared her story and motivation with ACYD organizer Mert Erkul recently, and here is their interview.

Australia is sending its first ever intellectual property counsellor to Beijing this month as Canberra steps up support for businesses expanding into China by helping them to protect their trademarks. The new IP counsellor, David Bennett, is a delegate of 2016 ACYD.

Asia 21, the preeminent network of young leaders from across the Asia-Pacific, today announced its 2016 class. Comprised of 32 emerging leaders from 24 countries representing the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, this year’s class is a remarkable group focused on shaping a brighter future for the Asia-Pacific region. Among these selected emerging leaders TWO are alumni of ACYD.

Danma has been moving from strength to strength since her time as an ACYD 2011 Delegate and 2012 Speaker. Danma has recently embarked on a crowdfunding campaign for her social enterprise, Maya Mountain.