This episode discusses the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI/OBOR) which is a foreign policy and economic strategy led by President Xi Jinping that seeks to interconnect Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania with East Asia through two routes—one land based and one maritime based. The episode discusses the benefits, challenges, and projects of China’s Belt and Road Initiative ahead of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation which will be attended by 28 heads of state. Our guest, Professor Lampton discusses the strategic visions and the various domestic interests supporting the Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, he touches on how actors in the US should understand and respond to the initiative.
David M. Lampton is Sadie Hyman Professor and Director of SAIS-China and China Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Before assuming those posts, he was president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations in New York City from 1988-1997. He is also currently working on a book related to the Belt and Road Initiative.