One belt one road: a new aspect on income convergence

摘要

In light of the one belt one road (OBOR) initiation, this study aims to examine the presence of income convergence in selected Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and China using spatial econometric methods. The result shows evidence of income convergence among the countries and implies that the ASEAN economy would be ameliorated if the trade relationship with China is further enhanced through implementation of the OBOR initiative. Thereafter, using bilateral trade as a weighting, the estimation affirms that the selected countries and China will enjoy income convergence. Thus, this result forecasts that the OBOR implementation would bring benefits to ASEAN countries and China.