Launched in 2013 by Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China's flagship overseas investment project, encompassing agreements with over 150 countries and summing to around $1 trillion in projects. As the BRI enters its second decade, the initiative faces several hurdles. High-profile projects have run into challenges, many countries’ ability to borrow has declined, and skepticism of China’s broader geopolitical intentions has grown in partner countries. 

How are Chinese scholars assessing the state of the BRI 10 years in? What risks and opportunities do they envision for its future development?

Please join the Interpret: China project for a discussion of these and other important questions with a panel of experts who will unpack recently translated primary source materials. The panel will include Yunnan Chen, Research Fellow in Development and Public Finance programme at ODI, Manoj Kewalramani, Senior Associate (Non-resident) with the Freeman Chair in China Studies and Chairperson of the Indo-Pacific Research Programme, and China studies fellow at the Takshashila Institution, and Henry Tugendhat, economist with the China team at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Lily McElwee, Deputy Director and Fellow with the Freeman Chair in China Studies, will moderate the discussion. 

This event is made possible by support from the Ford Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.