China’s Belt and Road hits a snagBy Antonio GraceffoOVER THE PAST two years, Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) has unveiled the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, all of which are intended to enhance China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Beijing promised to help landlocked Kazakhstan boost its exports by connecting it with world markets through BRI infrastructure, but the boost has not materialized. The BRI was originally called the New Silk Road, harkening back to a historical trade route linking Europe and China. Western nations are unveiling their own alternatives to China’s BRI. Last year, the US revealed its Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment during the G7 summit.
