This paper highlights the opportunities as well as challenges posed for Bangladesh by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China. BRI is being considered as the most expensive project ever initiated connecting more than half of the world population from Asia, Europe and Africa. For writing this paper, the authors utilized published sources such as journal articles, newspaper articles and web-based information published from 2013 to 2024. The article proposes that although the involvement of Bangladesh in the BRI is not absolutely free of challenges, it can serve the ultimate national interest through greater connectivity with other countries, increased volume of trade and economic activities and socio-cultural exchange. Although, as the originator and major contributor of the BRI, China will be the principal benefiter, other partner countries can also attain considerable benefits out of this historical mega scheme through the application of appropriate vision and strategic implementation. This paper has highlighted those benefits/opportunities and challenges for Bangladesh that can be beneficial for upcoming research projects particularity aimed at development studies, political economy and international relations. On the other hand, based on the arguments made on this paper, policymakers and businessmen can formulate their best policies as well as trading strategies with mutual benefits for all the stakeholders involved.

This article focuses on studying how transportation connectivity affects Vietnam’s trade with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. By using a gravity model, the article applies fixed effects (FE) and random effects (RE) to analyze panel data on trade, GDP, tariffs, border effects, and indicators. The number represents Vietnam’s transport connectivity with ASEAN countries from 2004 to 2021. Research results show that transport connectivity hurts Vietnam’s trade with other countries. ASEAN. The article proposes solutions for the Government and Vietnamese export enterprises to promote intra-ASEAN trade in the direction of increasing the added value of Vietnam’s imported and exported goods within ASEAN countries and balancing between Developing intra-ASEAN and foreign trade.

This study aims to analyze connectivity or accessibility between regions in Wakatobi islands, both within and between islands, to understand the available transportation network. Based on an understanding of the dynamics of connectivity, it is expected to provide a solid foundation for the development of more efficient and sustainable transportation infrastructure in the future. A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches is used to explore data more comprehensively and accurately. The two primary airports and several ports are still insufficient in enhancing connectivity for both the residents and tourists within the archipelago. Improving road, sea, and air transportation networks is a necessity and expectation to improve connectivity between regions. An analysis of accessibility potential provides an overview of transportation costs and expensive and long travel fares. There are several needs that need to be met in the form of the revitalization of local ports, the development of the concept of Air Buses between crossing ports, optimizing routes between airports, and the implementation of Bus/BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) on each island with feeder lines. Furthermore, the development of connectivity in Wakatobi must consider various alternative modes of transportation, increasing service frequencies, and developing supporting infrastructure. This conclusion is the basis for the preparation of a holistic and sustainable connectivity development plan in the Wakatobi archipelago.

The purpose of the article is to examine the changes in cross-border cooperation between Vietnam and China as a result of the development and connectivity of cross-border infrastructure between the two countries. This article is based on a mixed-methods study that includes desk research and surveys. The article explains how the two countries’ approaches to border shifted from ‘barrier’ to the border of ‘connectivity’. Accordingly, the article examines the changes in border management cooperation between the two countries, which serves as a vital basis for cross-border development cooperation. Furthermore, the article examines the perceptions of the two countries regarding the development and connectivity of cross-border infrastructure for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and beyond. At the same time, the article examines how the two countries promote the development and connectivity of cross-border infrastructure, both hard and soft. The article also examined some initial results and some issues facing the two countries. The paper concludes with some findings. In particular, the article concludes that increased border connectivity will encourage cross-border cooperation and integration between the two countries and help to alleviate security concerns. Although the two countries have made efforts to open their borders, in the transition from a border of ‘barriers’ to a border of ‘connectivity’ remain partly to Vietnamese people’s memories of the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese border war, as well as the impact of the two countries’ unresolved South China Sea disputes. However, Vietnam also tries to promote cross-border cooperation within a controllable level.

South Korea’s over 3300 islands play vital roles in the nation’s geography, economy, culture, and national security. Despite their importance, these islands face significant challenges, including population decline, aging demographics, and a severe lack of healthcare, childcare, and education facilities. With only 20% of inhabited islands connected to the mainland by bridges, coastal ferries are the primary transportation mode. However, the infrequent ferry services and numerous intermediate stops cause considerable inconvenience. This study conducts an analysis of the coastal ferry route connectivity within the Mokpo Area, focusing on proposing improvements to enhance access to community infrastructure for local island residents. This study analyzes the Mokpo Area’s coastal ferry network, identifying Dochodo as a central hub island to improve connectivity for sustainable island development. By reorganizing routes around Dochodo with larger ferries for main routes and smaller ferries for local trips, the study aims to enhance service access and boost tourism for island communities.

Since the Reform and Opening up, GDP of the cities on eastern bank of the Pearl River Estuary in Guangdong Province were higher than the eastern bank cities. Therefore, this article aims to modify the urban gravity model combines it with the entropy weight method to calculate urban quality and applies it to measure the degree of connectivity between cities over the past decades. The research aims to explore whether cities with higher economic output have a greater attraction for surrounding cities, and whether the eastern bank cities can also promote the development of the west. Through detailed data collection and analysis, this essay reveals the dynamic changes of the gravity among cities and its influence factors such as economic, transportation and urban development. The research results indicate that the strongest gravitational force between cities on the east and west banks is between Dongguan and Zhongshan, rather than between Shenzhen and cities on the west bank. This demonstrates that the connection between cities on the east and west banks is primarily constrained by geographical factors, and the geographical location of a city influences on surrounding cities significantly. In particular, Dongguan and Zhongshan play a key role in connecting the eastern and western bank of the Pearl River Estuary, rather than Shenzhen, which is traditionally considered to have the highest economic aggregate. In addition, the study also found that the COVID-19 epidemic has had a significant impact on inter-city communication, resulting in a decline in inter-city gravity in recent years.