The Belt and Road Hangover: Xi’s Initiative Leaves Countries With Debt, Doubts
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been President Xi Jinping’s signature global project for more than a decade, promising infrastructure, development and “win-win” cooperation across much of the developing world. Yet as China’s own economy slows, the BRI is facing growing scrutiny. From Venezuela’s political upheaval to Panama’s decision to withdraw, questions are mounting over debt sustainability, governance risks and whether the initiative has delivered on its ambitions. Was the BRI primarily an economic strategy, a geopolitical tool, or both? And how is its credibility being reshaped by project failures and shifting global alignments? In this episode, we examine why China launched the BRI, the challenges it faces today, and what its future means for global development, geopolitics and countries navigating China’s expanding influence. *Recorded on January 28, 2026 at 2pm Taiwan Standard Time Host: Wen-Ti Sung Producer: Chinyeh Chiang Our guests: Titus Chen - National Chengchi University Institute of International Relations Research Professor and Deputy Director Ian Tsung-yen Chen - National Sun Yat-sen University Institute of Political Science Professor and Director
