The early years of the Belt and Road Initiative left China with tens of billions of dollars in soured loans, making it a costly way of building global influence. Now Beijing is reworking its flagship infrastructure lending program to shield itself from financial risk and focus on projects that support its evolving ambitions, including securing critical supply chains for things like green-tech minerals and positioning itself as a leader that developing nations can unite behind. In the second episode of our three-part series, “Building Influence,” AidData’s Bradley Parks, SOAS University of London’s Steve Tsang and the WSJ’s Chun Han Wong discuss Belt and Road 2.0 and how even though China is reducing its spending, it is no less ambitious when it comes to pursuing Xi Jinping’s strategic goals. Kate Bullivant hosts.
Further reading:
China’s Belt and Road Plan Is Down, Not Out
China Reins In Its Belt and Road Program, $1 Trillion Later
China Is Starting to Act Like a Global Power
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China Reins In Its Infrastructure Strategy But Not Its Global Ambition | WSJ What’s News podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
