“ONE BELT, ONE ROAD” INITIATIVE AND PERSPECTIVES OF ARMENIA’S INVOLVEMENT: SINOLOGIST MHER SAHAKYAN DELIVERS A LECTURE AT YSU

Among those present at the lecture were the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of International Relations of YSU Arthur Israelyan, the head of the Chair of Arabic Studies of the Faculty of Oriental Studies Hayk Kocharyan, lecturers, students.

The Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Professor Ruben Melkonyan greeted those present and introduced the lecturer referring to his contribution to the development of Chinese Studies.

Mher Sahakyan thanked for warm regards and presented literature on Chinese Studies to the university.

The speaker presented the policy of Chine beginning from the period before President Xi Jingpin and after his taking office. At first China carried out a defensive policy but under the leadership of Xi Jingpin it became a country rapidly moving forward with various initiatives, it tries to make changes in the global economic relationship.

China tries to create a separate pole free from the influence of western civilizations. The speaker noted that Iran and the processes round it served an example for China.

Mher Sahakyan spoke about the Chinese dream. It has two definitions: before the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party foundation, the year of 2021, Chinese people must be provide with flourishing life, and before 2049, when China will be marking the 100th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, the country must become a prosperous, powerful, democratic, modern socialistic state.

China sees its way to this dream in economic development and growth. According the Mher Sahakyan, the OBOR initiative is one of the ways to economic development.

Mher Sahakyan stressed that it is highly important that for Armenia to make preparation to be represented in the forums of OBOR initiative. He said that besides the countries involved in the map of the initiative, the countries which will submit good business projects to Beijing can participate in the initiative. A special fund was created for not powerful countries to assist them in such projects. The goal of this initiative is to create a special economic network independent from the West, to have a separate zone of political and economic influence.

Mher Sahakyan also spoke about Armenian-Chinese relations. According to him, as a result of Armenian-Chinese financial and banking cooperation China will have the opportunity to trade with Armenia in Chinese currency, due to which the position of Renminbi (Chinese national currency) will be strengthened in the global financial market and Chinese capital will be attracted to Armenian financial and banking system.

The speaker also touched upon Armenian-Chinese military cooperation outlining the perspectives of cooperation in peacekeeping sphere, as well as referred to the construction of robotic weapons and their export to the Middle East.

The speaker attached importance to mutual visits and interaction between the countries.

The lecture was finished with Q&A.