This episode, I spoke with Tom Miller, senior Asia analyst and senior editor at global investment research firm Gavekal. Tom is one of the foremost experts on China's Belt and Road Initiative, and we chatted about the recent evolution of the foreign policy strategy, and what he views as the misguided critique that the BRI is a form of debt trap diplomacy. Tom has also written two books on China: China’s Urban Billion: The Story Behind the Biggest Migration in Human History and China’s Asian Dream: Empire Building Along the New Silk Road. 

Amid the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, Tom shares his insights into some of the recent dips in BRI funding, and the shift in some funding towards more renewable power projects. Finally, he weighs in on whether the BRI can yet be called a success or a failure.