We wish to extend a warm welcome to you all to the First Africa-Asia Dialogue Network (AADN) International Conference (AADNIC 2019). The Africa-Asia Dialogue Network (AADN) is quite a young and promising Think Tank for global research that was formed on December 15, 2017, with the sole purpose of promoting dialogue for sustainable global peace and development. The organizing of this conference forms part of one of its core objectives to encourage and promote research and discussions on major issues that affect the African and Asia continents. The theme of this conference (AADNIC 2019) was “China’s 40 Years of Reforms and Opening Up amidst its Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative: Implications for High-Quality Development of Regional Economies for the People, Businesses, Civil Society, and Governments in Africa, Asia, and the World”.

You will strongly agree with us that the current global climate calls for greater opportunities for countries to better promote wider consultations, collaboration, and dialogue to ensure sustainable development. Sustainable development will elude the world if the proper dialogue is not developed and maintained both across countries, communities and societies, and the international community. Through dialogue, people can get to acquaint themselves with each other and also get to know their strengths and weakness which can be harnessed to the benefits of each party. The AADN, therefore, is of the strong view that dialogue is the surest way to achieve sustainable development in any parts of the world particularly in achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We sincerely thank the keynote speakers who spent a lot of time in preparing and sharing their knowledge at the conference. The keynotes speakers at this conference were:
• Professor Li Guoxin, School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin China.
• Dr. Man Hung Thomas Chan, Director, One Belt One Road Research Institute, Chu Hai College of Higher Education, Hong Kong, China.
• Dr. Moises C. Torrentira, Jr., University Of Southeastern Philippines, College Of Development Management Mintal Campus, Tugbok, Davao City, Philippines.
• Ehizuelen Michael Mitchell Omoruyi, Ph.D. of World Economics at Xiamen University, and the Executive Director of the Centre for Nigerian Studies at the Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University.
• Dr. Au Yong Hui Nee, Dean, Faculty of Business and Finance Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Kampar, Malaysia.

We sincerely appreciate the reviewers for their efforts to ensure that the most quality papers were accepted for the conference. Your timely reviews and comments contributed largely to sieving through the numerous papers we received for this conference. We pray you will accept our call to be part of the next AADNIC 2020.

It is important to also appreciate the School of Economics and Management, Jiangxi University of Science Technology for providing the needed support to AADNIC 2019. Once again, thank you for submitting your papers and attending the AADNIC 2019. We are looking forward to seeing you at the Second AADNIC 2020.

Finally, we appreciate all the contributors to AADNIC 2019.

The Organizing Committee of AADNIC 2019