Global Business and Finance Review | 2026
Authors: Yuan Z.; Kim Y.-M.
DOI: 10.17549/gbfr.2026.31.3.15
Journal: Global Business and Finance Review
Year: 2026
Publisher: People and Global Business Association
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Cited by: 0
Purpose: This study is to examine the impact of 'Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)' on Chinese economic growth. Design/methodology/approach: This paper employs multi-layered empirical approach such as panel analysis and regression analysis with average and country-specific effects. Findings: This study finds that the Belt and Road Initiative has a direct negative effect on China's economic growth, whereas the economic growth of the participant countries has a positive effect on China's economic growth. Also, the effect of individual participant countries on China's economic growth varies by each country. Research limitations/implications: This study finds that BRI has a direct negative effect on China's economic growth, whereas the economic growth of the participant countries has a positive effect on China's economic growth. Also, depending on each country's economic structure, trade, investment, and level of participation in BRI, the heterogeneous effects are given across participant countries. Originality/value: This paper offers a meaningful and timely contribution to the empirical evaluation of BRI’s impact on China’s economy-a topic rarely explored from this perspective. © The Author(s).
Belt and Road Initiative; China; GDP growth; Participant countries