International perspectives of the BRI: new, unfolding globalisation

Abstract

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) emerged in the broad global context where two forces are in conflict. The Western orthodoxy persistence has had a long history which has become dominated and represented by the neoclassical framework. Crucially, China’s investment may contribute to the de-colonisation of developing countries’ economies away from the post-colonial network and hubs of globalisation. Cambodia is heavily reliant on Chinese aid and investment to feed its rapid economic growth rate, significant infrastructure upgrade and industrialisation. The BRI has a strong developing world orientation with China’s objective of exploiting the potential mutual economic growth through infrastruc..