MISTRA commissioned a working paper to the co-editor of MISTRA’s Africa and the World: Navigating Shifting Geopolitics publication, Dr Philani Mthembu titled, China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Navigating a geopolitical landscape impacted by COVID-19. The paper aimed to use China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a framework through which to understand international relations that are emerging as a result of the coronavirus.

On the 17th of March 2021, MISTRA hosted a webinar where the findings of the working paper were discussed. The discussion was led by:

  • Dr Philani Mthembu, Executive Director, Institute for Global Dialogue
  • H.E. Chen Xiaodong, Ambassador, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to South Africa
  • Amb. Dr. Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director-General: Asia and Middle East, DIRCO