Belt and road initiative in the age of COVID-19 pandemic : implications for the development of the strategic project of the People’s Republic of China

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine the impact of the pandemic on the current implementation of the New Silk Road project and its future in light of changes worldwide. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used empirical methods (source material review, expert opinion surveys, diagnostic survey) and theoretical methods (analysis, synthesis, comparison, modeling, and inference). Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with societies worldwide with China and, in extreme cases, entire East Asia. This belief has affected mass attitudes and social phenomena concerning the People's Republic of China's foreign policy in different parts of the world. Therefore, a correlation between changes in worldwide societal attitudes towards the People's Republic of China and the perspective for developing the Chinese New Silk Road (Belt and Road Initiative) project has emerged. However, another implication concerns the deteriorated structure of the global economy due to COVID-19, which had a significant impact on the change in many states' strategic position. Practical Implications: The conclusions will compare the knowledge resulting from the literature review with the outcomes of this article's own research. Originality: Because of it, it will be possible to identify not only the main assumptions of the New Silk Road but, above all, to present a foresight for the development of this flagship project of the PRC in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.