At the turn of the century China began an ambitious economic plan that would see it grow from a developing nation to the world’s second wealthiest. By preparing the country’s infrastructure for the demands of a globalized world, China lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty in under two decades.

China’s economic model has created the world’s largest middle-class society.

By investing heavily in roads, railways, airports, and energy China successfully streamlined its integration into the international community. Now China is looking into its own history to share its economic model with the rest of the world.

Now the Middle Kingdom is looking to recreate the ancient Silk Road. By connecting Asia, Europe and Africa, China is vying to facilitate the movement of goods and people in the modern era.

Across three episodes, The New Silk Road follows China’s Belt and Road Initiative from its start in the markets of Yiwu and the ports of the South China Sea to Africa and Europe.

At the turn of the century, China embarked on a development plan that saw the country’s economy explode to 60 times its original size in just 40 years. By focusing on infrastructure and mobility, China changed its destiny and is now looking to the Belt and Road Initiative to share these lessons with the world.

Into Africa shows the impact the BRI is having on the world’s second most populous continent. With an ongoing population boom, Africa sits at a crossroads between potential prosperity or further scarcity. The second installment of The New Silk Road looks at how Kenya is being impacted by the BRI.

This installment takes a deep dive into what the Belt and Road Initiative means for Europe. Into Europe looks at how China is refurbishing existing infrastructure, and building cutting edge projects to further connect the Eurasian landmass.