The Belt and Road initiative has been running for a couple of years so it is possible to form an initial appreciation of what it is about. It builds infrastructure necessary for Chinese exports. It is financed by easy loans, tempting the countries to go into debt. This resembles the British Empire's policy in South America in the 19th Century. The republiquetas were unable to pay even the interest, and it was followed by "gunboat diplomacy" such as British banks taking over the customs of Venezuela. Apparently, it is benevolent, like a usurer giving loans to poor people who most probably will not be able to return the loan.
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