China’s Belt and Road Initiative is an ambitious endeavor that can be misunderstood as a facade for furthering China’s interests. While there is no doubt that China intends to help itself first, the BRI does create opportunities for governments to come together in equitable partnerships.

China’s Digital Silk Road could prove to power a digitally focused economic recovery. But economic potential needs to be balanced with security concerns when assessing opportunities arising from this initiative.

The BRI will continue to be a feature of China’s post-pandemic foreign policy. The pandemic may even promote new avenues for investment.

China's Belt and Road Initiative is being tested by COVID-19, as several host countries have requested debt relief. How China proceeds will determine the overall success of the initiative.

COVID-19’s impact on Chinese manufacturing has had ripple effects around the world, and the Philippines is no exception. The potential long-term damage that the pandemic can do to the Philippine economy may necessitate amendments to the Philippine portion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

China is keen to play a bigger role in Britain’s post-Brexit future, particularly in infrastructure and investment projects. However, China’s deeper involvement may face political and infrastructural challenges and a steep learning curve for Chinese businesses.

Once a point farthest from any ocean on Earth, the BRI places Central Asia at the center of the world in an effort to economically integrate the Eurasian continent. While the motives and execution of BRI are questioned, the initiative is needed.

Iraq is an example of how recent instability in American-Middle Eastern relations has opened the door for China to expand its influence in the region via investment projects and an exploitation of local politics.

China’s rich trove of ancient wisdom expands the imagination about global governance. Its perspective deserves a place at the table. After asking what our current world is, we must not forget to ask ourselves what the future world could be.

The US and the West can excoriate China all it wants on China’s debt traps, lack of transparency, and pernicious diplomacy. But unless the US and the west come up with better solutions, that dirt road, for the developing world, is still a dirt road.