Ravi Prasad, Grzegorz Stec and Maximilian Römer
The main topic of the course was the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the major strategic initiative for expanding China's opening-up and the top-level design for economic diplomacy. In order to give an impressive team presentation, Grzegorz, Ravi and Maximilian conducted deep investigation and research on the BRI. The more they knew about the BRI, the more they put forward new ideas. Then they established a BRI blog to expressed and shared their viewpoints.
The website of the Belt and Road Advisory
Later on Grzegorz, Ravi and Maximilian stared to interview some people engaging in BRI research and business. The blog was becoming increasingly popular and was noticed by James Lalonde, an experienced entrepreneur in China. In 2018, they co-founded a company named “the Belt and Road Advisory", aiming to provide the latest information and their original analysis regarding BRI through podcast, blog and bulletin. Besides, the company also offer BRI-related cousulting services.
In the eyes of Grzegorz, the “Belt and Road Advisory” is an unexpected gift and achievement besides the academic. YCA equipped Grzegorz with more resources to do in-depth academic research so that he can get close connection with China’s academic community .Moreover, the school life gave Grzegorz a valuable opportunity to see the reality of Chinese society. And this start-up company, which was born out of a small idea from a course assignment at YCA, has become Grzegorz’s lifelong career. Now the “Belt and Road Advisory” has opened the second office in Hainan province.
Regarding future plans, Grzegorz intends to change the current English only content and export more high-quality Chinese content to enhance its influence in China. Their podcasts now have Chinese recordings and they also opened Chinese WeChat official account.
In addition, Grzegorz plans to build a platform based on block chain technology to provide a secure channel for the participants of BRI. At the same time, the company would provide consultation and training services for different organizations so as to disseminated more real and objective BRI-related information to more people.
Grzegorz said “We want to help more people and organization to better understand the real Belt and Road Initiative, bring convenience to the countries and people along the route, and help the ancient Silk Road gain new life and significance in present day.”
Written by: Yan Congcong
Edited by: Wang Qian
Source: Yenching Academy of Peking University
