The Belt and Road Initiative and Global Governance

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by Xi Jinping in 2013, could have huge geopolitical and geo-economic implications and it can re-shape global governance institutions and norms. It spans over 65 different countries, including the EU and potentially Latin America, it covers 60% of the world’s population and a large portion of the world economy, and it will be able to potentially redefine the global economy and governance. In what ways is the BRI impacting or likely to impact some aspects of global governance, including the current international financial institutions, trade rules, human rights, sustainable development, and developmental policies? Despite the fact that China is a relatively new player in global governance, and the BRI is still in the making, the latter has become Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy, in line with China’s self-proclaimed commitment to be a frontrunner in developing a new kind of multilateralism and in reforming the global governance system. This book draws on theoretical, legal, economic and social science approaches in order to explore and critically assess salient aspects of the BRI and its impact, both in terms of contributions and challenges, posed to global governance