![Chinese investors listen look at a model of a dry dock which is to be built in the Omani port city of Duqm, on May 24, 2016. Mohamed Majoub / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EV2BPZUBMQCIPDHQULM3LGY344.jpg?smart=true&auth=f59b06ac1ae1db2eb5ef4b7f4111eb527580cd2b00f5abced6c2c955ea5c6002&width=400&height=225)
Chinese investors listen look at a model of a dry dock which is to be built in the Omani port city of Duqm, on May 24, 2016. Mohamed Majoub / AFP
Chinese investors listen look at a model of a dry dock which is to be built in the Omani port city of Duqm, on May 24, 2016. Mohamed Majoub / AFP
Is China's Belt and Road Initiative the route to greater global influence?
Ambitious plan that puts Beijing at the centre of a global trade network must overcome suspicions of rivals and obstacles in partner states
Lu Hai Liang
December 24, 2017