ABSTRACT
The chapter traces the origin and evolution of China’s BRI since 2013. It argues that BRI is the result of a convergence of Chinese domestic drivers such as the time of strategic opportunity and desire to be a dominant power in Asia and the world; excess capacity in traditional industries; regional development strategy; and requirement of energy for sustained economic development. It also examines domestic conceptual discourse and BRI’s linkages with the concept of Chinese Dream and the Community of Common Destiny (CCD), a strategic concept for Asia and the world highlighted by President Xi Jinping. Further, it attempts to document and examine important policy pronouncements made by the Chinese government from time to time with regard to the BRI and briefly analyses the challenges and risks involved with the BRI.
