| ID | 164418 |
| Title Proper | Challenge of Implementing the Belt and Road Initiative in the Middle East |
| Other Title Information | Connectivity Projects under Conditions of Limited Political Engagement |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Evron, Yoram |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Sceptics query China's economic and political ability to realize its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Less attention has been paid to BRI's implications for one of the defining features of China's foreign policy: low engagement in areas beyond its traditional sphere of influence. The Middle East is such a case. Addressing this issue, the article explores the mutual impact of China's low political involvement in the Middle East and BRI's realization. Distinguishing cross-border connectivity projects from other BRI-associated activities, the article examines the challenges to executing BRI-related projects in Israel. It finds that realizing connectivity projects – the essence of the BRI vision – will require China to increase its regional engagement, a shift that it has so far avoided. |
| `In' analytical Note | China Quarterly,No. 237; Mar 2019: p.196-216 |
| Journal Source | China Quarterly No 237 |
| Key Words | Economic Diplomacy ; Israel ; Middle East ; China ; OBOR ; BRI |