Cross-border e-commerce along the Digital Silk Road

Electronic commerce has been developing along with the advancement of the Internet and technology. There have been numerous successes and failures among e-businesses, and one of the main reasons for either scenario is shown to be consumer satisfaction. Data shows that one of the major factors influencing customer experience is related to logistics. Along with the globalization of trade, cross-border e-commerce has brought new challenges that need to be overcome in order to meet the higher requirements of “digital consumers.” In spite of challenges, global e-commerce nowadays plays an essential role in promoting the development of both economy and industries, including logistics. Recently, global electronic commerce was included in the China-led Belt and Road Initiative, in particular with the Digital Silk Road, which emerged as a result of the initiative merging with the digital economy. This paper aims to explain what the Digital Silk Road refers to and what its relation is with international e-trade. Moreover, it presents an analysis of how the Digital Silk Road supports global e-trade and how cross-border e-commerce influences the Road. This paper forms part of a more thorough study of the role of international electronic commerce in facilitating trade along the Digital Silk Road.

Electronic commerce has been developing along with the advancement of the Internet and technology. There have been numerous successes and failures among e-businesses, and one of the main reasons for either scenario is shown to be consumer satisfaction. Data shows that one of the major factors influencing customer experience is related to logistics. Along with the globalization of trade, cross-border e-commerce has brought new challenges that need to be overcome in order to meet the higher requirements of “digital consumers.” In spite of challenges, global e-commerce nowadays plays an essential role in promoting the development of both economy and industries, including logistics. Recently, global electronic commerce was included in the China-led Belt and Road Initiative, in particular with the Digital Silk Road, which emerged as a result of the initiative merging with the digital economy. This paper aims to explain what the Digital Silk Road refers to and what its relation is with international e-trade. Moreover, it presents an analysis of how the Digital Silk Road supports global e-trade and how cross-border e-commerce influences the Road. This paper forms part of a more thorough study of the role of international electronic commerce in facilitating trade along the Digital Silk Road.