The Belt and Road Initiative as a catalyst for institutional development

The Belt and Road Initiative has generated considerable institutional restructuring and increase of policy capacity in host countries. Comparing different countries shows that most of the effort is concentrated in creating policy frameworks to direct and negotiate projects rather than strengthening their management and monitoring. However, the latter would be more crucial to ensure sustainability. The sustainability of BRI projects depends on both China and the host country. Hence, the Chinese side should also improve its due diligence to ensure that projects do not lead to unsustainable outcomes for the host country.