Debunking the Myth of ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’
How Recipient Countries Shape China’s Belt and Road Initiative, by Lee Jones and Shahar Hameiri, Chatham House Research Paper, August 2020.
From the Summary: “The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is seen by some as a geopolitical strategy to ensnare countries in unsustainable debt and allow China undue influence. However, the available evidence challenges this position: economic factors are the primary driver of current BRI projects; China’s development financing system is too fragmented and poorly coordinated to pursue detailed strategic objectives; and developing-country governments and their associated political and economic interests determine the nature of BRI projects on their territory.”
This paper is to be found on the Chatham House website: https://www.chathamhouse.org/publication/debunking-myth-debt-trap-diplomacy-jones-hameiri#.
Thanks to Rasheed Griffith for bringing this to our attention.
Why China’s economic recovery from coronavirus is widening the wealth gap
By Sun Yu and Yuan Yang, FT.com, August 18, 2020.
I like this article because, despite the headline, it is not another China-bashing story. Instead it illustrates the extent of discussion, debate and feedback about the impact of policy initiatives in Chinese society. The widening wealth gap is an unexpected consequence of the fact that the Chinese Government’s coronavirus economic support measures have focused on support of businesses, as is explained in the opening paragraphs. The problem is recognized by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, a Chinese Government think tank. I believe the reason why a large majority of Chinese people trust and support their Government is because the Government is sensitive to the needs and responsive when things do not go according to plan. That is what citizens of any country should expect of their Government. The article is free to read at FT.com.
COVID-19 vaccine front-runners: How soon? How potent? and Gaps in China-U.S. culture understanding
You can watch or listen to a discussion by experts on these two topics on Youtube, from CGTN’s World Insight programme, posted on August 19. World Insight is hosted by CGTN’s Tian Wei. The first 25 minutes are devoted to Covid-19 vaccines, and the remainder of the programme to the imbalance in cultural understanding of Americans and Chinese.
The ABCF mission is to build a deeper understanding between the Chinese people and Barbadians and Caribbean people from all walks of life. The association’s focus is on personal experiences, people-to-people contact, cultural exchanges and exchanges of ideas, and the facilitation of travel, business and study. From the outset we aim to learn from and build on the experiences of the Caribbean and China, and to develop mutual understandings and support that will be to the benefit of both sides.
