Commentary: China's Belt and Road Initiative paved with risks, red herrings and rent-seeking behaviour (Channel NewsAsia)

By Alvin A. Camba and Kuek Jia Yao

BEIJING: There is no shortage of sceptics of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Indeed, stories about the BRI often include the evocation of "debt traps" and "vassal states".

While some concerns merit consideration, popular criticisms of the BRI tend to be built upon incomplete and distorted stereotypes, which only draws attention away from its actual shortcomings that need to be addressed.

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The Centre for Global Development’s systematic study of the BRI found that 23 out of 68 countries hosting BRI projects will be at risk of debt distress, due to a diverse range of domestic problems. 

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