BRI Policy Paper: Assessing the Strategic and Developmental Impact of Belt and Road Projects

Author: Ryan Hitch

Objective of the activity

The goal of this assignment is to help students critically evaluate the political, economic, and social implications of a real-world Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure project. Students will learn how to connect development outcomes with broader questions of international political economy and strategic influence. By completing the assignment, students will be able to accomplish the following: (1) Analyze Chinese-led investment projects from multiple policy angles. (2) Assess the developmental and security implications of global infrastructure initiatives. (3) Communicate policy-relevant analysis clearly and concisely.

Pre-class activities

Before the class session that introduces the assignment, students will read background materials on the Belt and Road Initiative and review at least one case study of a completed BRI project. They will also be asked to identify a potential country or project of interest to explore in their paper. Suggested readings and resources will be provided on Brightspace in advance.

In-class activities

In this class session, students are introduced to the BRI Policy Paper assignment and guided through the analytical tools and structure needed for effective policy writing. Building on pre-class readings about the Belt and Road Initiative and a sample case study (for example, Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port), the session begins by discussing the assignment’s goals and relevance to international political economy. The instructor then leads a structured walkthrough of the Hambantota case, prompting students to evaluate its economic, political, and developmental implications. Through guided questions and a worksheet, students practice identifying project outcomes and reflect on how to assess real-world infrastructure initiatives from a policy perspective. In the second half of class, students break into small groups to discuss BRI projects or countries they are considering for their papers. They begin outlining possible analytical angles and brainstorming policy recommendations with peer and instructor feedback. The class concludes with a short executive summary writing exercise, where students draft and exchange summaries to practice concise, policy-relevant communication. The session equips students with the tools to evaluate evidence, structure a coherent argument, and formulate actionable recommendations, skills that directly support the learning outcomes of the assignment and the broader goals of the course.

After Class Activities

After class, students will apply what they have learned by independently researching a real-world Belt and Road Initiative project for their policy paper. The structured class session gives them a clear model for how to assess development outcomes, political implications, and financial risks in a policy-relevant format. The assignment serves as a summative assessment of their ability to synthesize evidence, evaluate competing perspectives, and communicate actionable recommendations. Students will be required to draw on credible sources, use appropriate analytical frameworks introduced in class, and clearly justify their policy proposals. Their work will be graded using a rubric that emphasizes argumentation, use of evidence, clarity of writing, and the feasibility of recommendations. In addition to this summative assessment, formative feedback is embedded throughout the process. During class, students receive immediate guidance as they workshop project ideas and practice writing executive summaries. This peer and instructor feedback helps them reflect on the strength of their analysis and revise their approach before submitting the final paper. Students are also encouraged to meet with the instructor during office hours to discuss sources, structure, and argumentation. By combining in-class formative guidance with a substantive post-class assignment, the activity reinforces key learning outcomes and deepens students’ understanding of the political economy of Chinese overseas investment.

Resources

iWDl8QRQ6mJx-Activity-for-CACI_RyanHitch.pdf