Asean stands to gain from Belt and Road Initiative despite challenges

CHINA'S Belt and Road Initiative, or the BRI, is a potential game-changer that may have significant win-win implications for both China and the more than 80 countries and international organisations that have already joined. The BRI's aim, in short, is to connect countries via a combination of the land-based "Silk Road Economic Belt" which encompasses six economic corridors, and the ocean-crossing "Maritime Silk Road". All this will entail massive and multi-decade infrastructure investment.

What's in it for Asean? The region is well-positioned to reap significant benefi…