For those who fear China’s rise, the Belt and Road is terrifying. They worry Beijing will use trade routes to increase its influence and export an authoritarian brand of politics. Some have warned of an “infrastructure power grab” and a new Great Game, referring to the 19th century scheming as Britain and Russia vied for control of commerce between Europe and Asia.
Others see Belt and Road as a boon that will redraw the world’s trade routes and turn peripheral countries and cities into hubs. Ancient routes are being rejuvenated, new ones opened, and cities are being built from scratch.
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