The Forum “Silk Road Reloaded: Myth – chance – challenge” took place on the 1st of December 2015 in Vienna, Austria, as part of the Chinese initiative to revive the Silk Road as a major transportation route.
The Forum was organized within the framework of the funding initiative of the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. International experts gathered to discuss trends, challenges and new business models that can promote a stronger link between Europe and Asia as well as strengthening the Central Asian region as a geographical center. The challenges for Europe and Eurasia was a major topic touched upon and discussed by the speakers, Zheng Tang, Chris Devonshire-Ellis, Thomas Kargl and Martin Glatz.
Placing a particular focus on the countries of China, Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkey, panel discussions as well as individual discussions with the Austrian economic delegates from Beijing, Almaty, Tehran and Ankara took place.
The overall framework for the Silk Road revival project is the initiative „One Belt One Road“. It is a development strategy created by China with the aim to improve connectivity and cooperation between countries in Europe and Asia, as well as to create an Eurasian economic area. It is envisioned that the re-emergence of the Silk Road with its 1000 years of history as an important trade link between China and Europe will result in a stronger economic and social cohesion in Eurasia.
