The Debate

What’s in China’s New Belt and Road Recalibration?

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The Debate

What’s in China’s New Belt and Road Recalibration?

Though Beijing’s attempt to adjust its BRI approach is notable, the actual extent and impact of this recalibration remains to be seen.

What’s in China’s New Belt and Road Recalibration?

Chinese President Xi Jinping raises his glass and proposes a toast during the welcome banquet, after the welcome ceremony of visiting leaders attending the Belt and Road Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Friday, April 26, 2019. ( Nicolas Asfouri/Pool Photo via AP)

Credit: AP Photo

As expected, China’s hosting of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing, which lasted from April 25 to 27, saw Beijing deliberately seek to recalibrate how it is approaching the much-ballyhooed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a signature initiative of President Xi Jinping first unveiled in 2013, amid lingering concerns and challenges. Although this recalibration is not insignificant and bears careful analysis, its extent and impact on the evolution of the initiative and the regional reception to it remains to be seen.

While China’s efforts to recalibrate its BRI approach has in fact been at play over the past few years amid serious regional concerns that remain, the second BRF provided an opportunity for Beijing to officially showcase this effort. In his remarks, Xi predictably touted progress on the initiative but also addressed some of the concerns about the BRI, including exclusivity, sustainability, and standards. The series of outcomes released by the Chinese foreign ministry also reflected this, with the deliberate downplaying of focus on individual projects and Chinese-driven initiatives and inclusion of a list of broader agreements, multilateral frameworks, and people-to-people and cultural initiatives.

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