Seniors' University: ‘The New Silk Roads – from China via Africa to Norway’

Einar Lunde was a news anchor on Dagsrevyen for 40 years and served as NRK's Africa correspondent. He now works as a conference and debate moderator, presents performances, lectures and talks, and leads tours in Africa.

Donald Trump's many extraordinary initiatives dominate news headlines around the world. Yet China is on everyone's lips. It remains in the background, but never far from attention.

The United States, Russia, NATO, the European Union, Taiwan, Africa – and even Norway – are all focused on China and what China may be planning. In Norway, the Police Security Service (PST) stated as recently as 2024 that China represents the greatest threat to the country.

China is clearly demonstrating its strength. It thinks in the long term and has ambitions on a vast scale. One aspect that many have overlooked is that China has used Africa as a launching platform for its long-term global strategy, investing many billions in the continent.

But China's ambitions extend far beyond Africa. It is reviving the ancient Silk Road. Is that something to be concerned about? China is not content with just one Silk Road. It is developing several. The result is something even larger and more ambitious: the biggest infrastructure project the world has ever seen. Countries that view China as a strategic challenge are paying close attention – including Norway.

Membership fees

• Annual membership: NOK 500

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Admission

• Non-members: NOK 100 per lecture

• Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to Cinema Hall 1