Yuxin Lu from the Faculty of Management and Economics is the third graduate of the Doctoral School. | Faculty of Management and Economics at the Gdańsk University of Technology

His doctoral thesis, titled "Essays on China's international trade - focus on One-Belt One-Road initiative," was supervised by Dr. hab. Joanna Wolszczak-Derlacz, Prof. PG. The reviewers were Prof. Filippa Reganati from the University of Roma Sapienza, Dr. hab. Stanisław Umiński from the University of Gdańsk, and Prof. Jan Jakub Michałek from the University of Warsaw.

The "One – Belt, One – Road" initiative is a contemporary project by the People's Republic of China aimed at revitalizing the Silk Road. It involves expanding the infrastructure network connecting China, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, creating favorable opportunities for cooperation in infrastructure and financial projects. One of the main corridors links China to Western Europe, passing through Russia, Belarus, and Poland.

"The One-Belt One-Road initiative is not only focused on establishing physical transport and trade connections but also on broad economic, political, and socio-cultural cooperation between China and the countries along the New Silk Road route," explains the researcher. "In my doctoral work, I primarily analyze the development of Chinese imports and exports of goods and the global value chain between China and its economic partners through the revival of the Silk Road."

Yuxin Lu had planned to study in Poland since high school, with the Gdańsk University of Technology being his top choice. He took advantage of the student exchange program between PG and Yancheng Institute of Technology, where he completed his undergraduate studies.

"My time at the Gdańsk University of Technology has been very significant for me. I have been studying here since 2016, in a beautiful place, and I have met many scientists who have had a profound influence on me. During my doctoral studies, I had excellent working conditions and numerous opportunities for foreign internships, grant acquisition, and scientific research exchange with many European universities. I deeply admire and appreciate Polish culture, the local climate, and nature. Polish cuisine, which I have come to know well, is also not to be underestimated. Pork chops and sour rye soup in bread are simply unbeatable," emphasizes Yuxin Lu.

After defending his doctoral thesis, the researcher plans to return to China for a postdoctoral internship. In his research work, he will continue to explore the "One-Belt One-Road" initiative in the context of recent proposals from the European Union and the USA regarding "eliminating industrial threats and reducing economies' dependence on China."