ABSTRACT
The challenge of grasping China’s BRI represents an inspiring undertaking, not least as it includes both a strong domestic developmental focus (from a Chinese perspective) but also a solid international focus with support for various regional integration dynamics, although there is a strong emphasis on solely interpreting the BRI in a geo-economic and geopolitical context for supporting China’s further rise. In this context, the BRI is also associated with the enduring debate as to what extent China represents a status quo or a revisionist country. Yet it would be grossly misleading not to recognise the BRI’s domestic relevance in addressing China’s ongoing developmental challenges, such as the uneven development among its provinces. Consequently, a first task is to offer an overview of the context within which the BRI is formulated and take stock of actual developments.
