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The Belt and Road Initiative and Global Governance
This timely book examines the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), assessing its effect on the international economic order and global governance more broadly. Through a variety of qualitative case studies, the book investigates the implementation of the BRI and evaluates its development outcomes both for China and the countries it interacts with under the initiative, along with its international implications.
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Critical Acclaim
Contributors
Contents
More Information
This timely book examines the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), assessing its effect on the international economic order and global governance more broadly. Through a variety of qualitative case studies the book investigates the implementation of the BRI and evaluates its development outcomes both for China and the countries it interacts with under the initiative, along with its international implications.
Chapters discuss as-yet-unexplored cases from the ground in brand new studies based on fieldwork by leading academics, as well as providing alternative readings of the rationale behind the BRI. Questions about connectivity and the financial implications of Chinese investments are addressed, taking a balanced approach that demonstrates the complexity and nuance of these issues, and the far-from-linear impact that the BRI is having on global governance.
This incisive book will be critical reading for scholars and policy makers working on China and global governance. It will also provide useful insights for officials and practitioners working in BRI countries and international institutions, think-tanks and NGOs.
Chapters discuss as-yet-unexplored cases from the ground in brand new studies based on fieldwork by leading academics, as well as providing alternative readings of the rationale behind the BRI. Questions about connectivity and the financial implications of Chinese investments are addressed, taking a balanced approach that demonstrates the complexity and nuance of these issues, and the far-from-linear impact that the BRI is having on global governance.
This incisive book will be critical reading for scholars and policy makers working on China and global governance. It will also provide useful insights for officials and practitioners working in BRI countries and international institutions, think-tanks and NGOs.
Critical Acclaim
‘A fascinating collection of detailed and data-driven studies that brings valuable on-the-ground insight into China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its global impacts. Sets the standard for future research on this important topic.’
– Elizabeth Economy, Council on Foreign Relations, US
‘This book offers balanced and thoughtful insights on important aspects of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, such as its impact on global institutions and governance and the implications for project host countries from Southeast Asia to Africa. The chapters usefully shed light on the complex interplay of economic, strategic, political, and cultural factors that combine to make the Belt and Road both a transformative initiative and an enigma.’
– Danny Russel, Asia Society Policy Institute, US
‘This is an outstanding analysis of the nature of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and its implications for global governance, backed up by penetrating and insightful case studies. Its comprehensive and compelling account of the subject is bound to receive widespread readership from the academic and policy-making community.’
– Emil J. Kirchner, University of Essex, UK
– Elizabeth Economy, Council on Foreign Relations, US
‘This book offers balanced and thoughtful insights on important aspects of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, such as its impact on global institutions and governance and the implications for project host countries from Southeast Asia to Africa. The chapters usefully shed light on the complex interplay of economic, strategic, political, and cultural factors that combine to make the Belt and Road both a transformative initiative and an enigma.’
– Danny Russel, Asia Society Policy Institute, US
‘This is an outstanding analysis of the nature of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and its implications for global governance, backed up by penetrating and insightful case studies. Its comprehensive and compelling account of the subject is bound to receive widespread readership from the academic and policy-making community.’
– Emil J. Kirchner, University of Essex, UK
Contributors
Contributors: M.A. Carrai, J.-C. Defraigne, J.-F. Di Meglio, D. Freeman, F. Godement, A. Halegua, N. Kassenova, C.-C. Kuik, C. Ljungwall, S. Nanwani, T. Pairault, U. Wissenbach, J. Wouters
Contents
Contents:
1 The Belt and Road Initiative and global governance: by way of
introduction 1
Maria Adele Carrai, Jean-Christophe Defraigne and
Jan Wouters
PART I GEOECONOMICS AND CONNECTIVITY
2 China’s move toward economic and political resilience through
the Belt and Road Initiative 21
Christer Ljungwall
3 The Belt and Road Initiative, the economic integration of the
Eurasian continent and the international division of labour 34
Jean-Christophe Defraigne
4 Connectivity and gaps: the bridging links and missed links of
China’s BRI in Southeast Asia 76
Cheng-Chwee Kuik
5 The Belt and Road Initiative: an interface with multilateral
development banks on international cooperation and global
governance 96
Suresh Nanwani
PART II RATIONALES OF THE BRI FROM CHINA’S
PERSPECTIVE
6 The Belt and Road Initiative and the overcapacity connection 120
Duncan Freeman
7 The “internationalization” of the renminbi: toward an
“RMBRI”? 139
Jean-François Di Meglio
8 Examining the importance of the New Silk Roads for Africa
and for global governance 155
Thierry Pairault
PART III CASES FROM THE GROUND
9 Kazakhstan’s adaptation to the Belt and Road Initiative:
tracing changes in domestic governance 182
Nargis Kassenova
10 African agency in the Belt and Road Initiative: Kenya’s rail
investment as China’s flagship BRI project in Africa 204
Uwe Wissenbach
11 Where is the Belt and Road Initiative taking international
labour rights? An examination of worker abuse by Chinese
firms in Saipan 225
Aaron Halegua
12 Conclusion: China’s Belt and Road Initiative – imagination
and reality 258
François Godement
Index 263
1 The Belt and Road Initiative and global governance: by way of
introduction 1
Maria Adele Carrai, Jean-Christophe Defraigne and
Jan Wouters
PART I GEOECONOMICS AND CONNECTIVITY
2 China’s move toward economic and political resilience through
the Belt and Road Initiative 21
Christer Ljungwall
3 The Belt and Road Initiative, the economic integration of the
Eurasian continent and the international division of labour 34
Jean-Christophe Defraigne
4 Connectivity and gaps: the bridging links and missed links of
China’s BRI in Southeast Asia 76
Cheng-Chwee Kuik
5 The Belt and Road Initiative: an interface with multilateral
development banks on international cooperation and global
governance 96
Suresh Nanwani
PART II RATIONALES OF THE BRI FROM CHINA’S
PERSPECTIVE
6 The Belt and Road Initiative and the overcapacity connection 120
Duncan Freeman
7 The “internationalization” of the renminbi: toward an
“RMBRI”? 139
Jean-François Di Meglio
8 Examining the importance of the New Silk Roads for Africa
and for global governance 155
Thierry Pairault
PART III CASES FROM THE GROUND
9 Kazakhstan’s adaptation to the Belt and Road Initiative:
tracing changes in domestic governance 182
Nargis Kassenova
10 African agency in the Belt and Road Initiative: Kenya’s rail
investment as China’s flagship BRI project in Africa 204
Uwe Wissenbach
11 Where is the Belt and Road Initiative taking international
labour rights? An examination of worker abuse by Chinese
firms in Saipan 225
Aaron Halegua
12 Conclusion: China’s Belt and Road Initiative – imagination
and reality 258
François Godement
Index 263
