Publication Economic / Social Policy - Participation / Civil Rights - Globalization - China - The New Silk Roads Selfish Donor or Saviour in Need?

China’s development policy in the context of the New Silk Road

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July 2020

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China’s development policy is controversial, especially with regard to the New Silk Road. While some see Chinese investments and loans as an opportunity to facilitate infrastructure development in much of the world, others are concerned about the political calculations behind the aid, and possible negative consequences for its recipients.

When comparing China’s development policy with Western approaches, it becomes clear that the motives at least for providing development aid hardly differ—the distinction lies rather in the ideologically charged narratives that follow from them, which call into question the legitimacy of a value-based or alternatively a purely pragmatic development policy.

Leonie Schiffauer holds a doctorate in social anthropology and is a specialist in South, East, and Central Asia at the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung.