BBC Radio 4 LW

In Business

Factual: Money

Series about the world of work from vast corporations to modest volunteers

Series of programmes about the whole world of work, public and private, from vast corporations to modest volunteers

In Business: Beijing to Belarus - A new Silk Road to Europe

Beijing to Belarus - a new Silk Road to Europe

Beijing to Belarus - A new Silk Road to Europe

BBC Radio 4 - In Business, Beijing to Belarus - A new Silk Road to Europe

Will a giant industrial zone in Belarus become the European hub of China's new Silk Road?

China and Belarus are building a giant industrial eco-city. They see it as the European hub of a modern, turbo-charged version of ancient east-west trading routes.

China and Belarus are building an economic trade zone so huge it will rival Barcelona or Dublin in footprint. It’s called Great Stone and it’s imagined as a futurist city - clean, green, and super modern - where pioneers of industry and technology will make their home. President Xi Jinping calls Great Stone a ‘Pearl’ of his New Silk Road - a turbo-charged version of ancient East-West trading routes. 

Belarus is gradually opening up after years of post-Soviet caution. It’s  keen to encourage international investment as its old Soviet era industries prove difficult to reform. Optimistic Belarusians point to their advantageous geography - the jigsaw piece between the European Union and Russia; their educated workforce and their impressive track record in high-tech innovation.

Presented and produced by Monica Whitlock

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

In Business

Beijing to Belarus - A new Silk Road to Europe

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4