Is It a Bird? Is It a Plane? No, It's China's Belt and Road Initiative Getting a Boost!

Up Up and A ????????!

Greetings citizens of Earth! It's your friendly neighborhood Superman reporting live from... well everywhere! Seems like things are heating up in the world of international finance. Premier Li Qiang is asking the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to give a big ol' hug – or rather a big ol' investment – to China's Belt and Road Initiative. This Initiative as I understand it aims to connect Asia Europe and Africa through a vast network of infrastructure. Think of it as a really really long highway only with more trains and boats! Faster than I can fly I wonder?

Faster Than a Speeding Yuan!

Li Qiang wants the AIIB to "stay committed to open regionalism." Now I'm no Lex Luthor when it comes to economics (thank Rao!) but even I can see that this means playing nice with everyone. He also wants to strengthen the "synergy" between the AIIB and the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. Synergy huh? Sounds like something Lex would use to power a doomsday device. Hopefully this synergy is more about building bridges than vaporizing them!

Trump's Trade Tumbles!

This push comes at a time when the US is pulling back from institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. According to some folks this is because the US feels they're not getting a fair shake. As Stephen Olson puts it China is trying to "capitalize on the chaos." Capitalize on chaos? Sounds like a job for Superman! Or maybe just a good accountant. I always wondered should I be paying taxes on all the good deeds I do?

The Long and Winding Road (and Rail and Sea Route)!

The Belt and Road Initiative launched by President Xi Jinping is seen by many as China's way of boosting its global influence. Build it and they will come or so the saying goes. Critics however argue that it's saddling developing nations with debt. Hmmm debt... that sounds like the kind of trap Lex Luthor would set. I'd better keep an eye on this just in case someone needs a super powered bailout!

From Anti Corruption to Global Infrastructure!

The AIIB is getting a new president Zou Jiayi who used to be a vice finance minister and an anti corruption official. An anti corruption official? Now there's someone I can trust! (Besides Ma Kent of course!) She's also a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee. Sounds important! Meanwhile Indonesia seems pretty happy with their involvement with the AIIB. They say they're not just making money but also providing "enormous experience." Experience is good! Helps you avoid kryptonite for one thing.

Truth Justice and the Global Economy!

Even though the US isn't a member plenty of other countries are including the UK France and Germany. China has the biggest stake of course. The AIIB provides loans for infrastructure projects which is all well and good but Premier Li wants everyone to play nice and not turn trade into a political football. He wants to reshape the "rules and order" of the international economy. Well as long as those rules are fair and just I'm all for it! After all I'm Superman and I stand for truth justice and the American way... and maybe a little bit of global economic stability on the side. Because let's face it even Superman needs a stable planet to protect!