'There are quite a few economists who are skeptical about the ROI from all of these investments'. Yes but the BRI is not designed solely for economic gain, but

'There are quite a few economists who are skeptical about the ROI from all of these investments'. Yes but the BRI is not designed solely for economic gain, but to lay the basis of a new Sino-centric order. The closest comparison is with the Marshall plan. The US spent huge sums to rebuild Western Europe, countries that by the 1970s began to undercut the US economy. But it was essential to the post-war US order, the defeat of Soviet Union, and other long-range strategic goals.