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Countries' perceptions of China's Belt and Road initiative: A big data analysis

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  • Alicia Garcia-Herrero

    (Adjunct Professor, Department of Economics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Chief Economist for Asia Pacific, NATIXIS
    Institute for Emerging Market Studies , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Jianwei Xu

    (Associate professor, Beijing Normal University)

Abstract

Drawing on a global database of media articles, we quantitatively assess perceptions of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in different countries and regions. We find that the BRI is generally positively received. All regions as a whole, except South Asia, have a positive perception of the BRI, but there are marked differences at the country level, with some countries in all regions having very negative views. Interestingly, there is no significant difference in perceptions of the BRI between countries that officially participate in the BRI and those that do not. We also use our dataset of media articles to identify the topics that are most frequently associated with the BRI. The most common topics are trade and investment. Finally, we use regression analysis to identify how the frequency with which these topics are discussed in the news affects the perceptions of the BRI in different countries. We find that the more frequently trade is mentioned in the media, the more negative a country's perception of the BRI tends to be. On the other hand, while investment under the BRI seems also to attract attention in the media, it is not statistically relevant for countries' perceptions of the BRI.

Suggested Citation

  • Alicia Garcia-Herrero & Jianwei Xu, 2019. "Countries' perceptions of China's Belt and Road initiative: A big data analysis," HKUST IEMS Working Paper Series 2019-59, HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:hku:wpaper:201959
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    Cited by:

    1. Razzaq, Asif & An, Hui & Delpachitra, Sarath, 2021. "Does technology gap increase FDI spillovers on productivity growth? Evidence from Chinese outward FDI in Belt and Road host countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    2. Francisco Javier Valderrey & Miguel A. Montoya & Adriana Sánchez, 2020. "Latin America: The East Wing of the New Silk Road," Competition and Regulation in Network Industries, , vol. 21(1), pages 34-62, March.
    3. Olga Petricevic & David J Teece, 2019. "The structural reshaping of globalization: Implications for strategic sectors, profiting from innovation, and the multinational enterprise," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(9), pages 1487-1512, December.
    4. Jianhong Qi & Kam Ki Tang & Da Yin & Yong Zhao, 2020. "Remaking China’s Global Image with the Belt and Road Initiative: Is the Jury Out?," Discussion Papers Series 635, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.

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