Standing like a rock

The Belt and Road Initiative will face even stronger resistance in the times to come, but it cannot be contained — it has the potential to become a cornerstone of global progress in the twenty-first century.

A long view

Multilateral initiatives that change the structure of global trade and investment do not progress in straight lines. They accumulate friction. The fact that BRI has continued to grow under sustained external pressure tells us something important: it answers a need.

What the data shows

Across our research at ICOIS, we have found that the most successful BRI corridors share three traits: alignment with local development priorities, strong institutional partnerships, and adaptive risk management. These are the levers that will shape the next decade.

For policymakers

Policymakers in both BRI participants and observer states should focus on rigorous evaluation, not narrative warfare. The era of "for-or-against" framing is ending; the era of evidence-based engagement is beginning.

Author

Tariq H. Malik, Founding Director of ICOIS. First published in China Daily, 6 November 2024.