42: Kelly Chen on the Complexities of Politically Important Sovereign Debt Agreements within the BRI - A Case Study of the Laos-China Railway

 Juliet and Erik talk with research assistant professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - Kelly Chen about her latest publication on the effects of Chinese infrastructure aid in Laos: hidden labor struggles, subcontracting, equity, and how it all came to a head with the Trans-Laos Railway project. Kelly dives into Chinese international lending, economic geographies, and narratives about creditworthiness and power through this case study.

Read Kelly's work here:
Sovereign Debt in the Making: Financial Entanglements and Labor Politics along the Belt and Road in Laos

And here's an article by Kelly and Juliet for Panda Paw Dragon Claw:
From Pioneers to Brokers: How a diverse Chinese diaspora facilitates the Belt and Road in Laos

And check out our recommendations!

Erik:
1) Double recommendation for Sovereign Debt in the Making: Financial Entanglements and Labor Politics along the Belt and Road in Laos
2) Zojirushi rice cookers! Kelly:
1) Biao Xiang: China's Global Migration in the New Millenium
2) Virtual Engagements on Global China Speaker Series

Juliet:
1) Maria Repnikova: No, The Chaos in America is Not a Gift to China and Russia ~Special thanks to Maggie Gaus, who joined the Belt and Road Pod team in Dec 2020 and edited this episode~