Table 1 Comparison between Marshall plan and China’s belt and road Initiative

1) Boosting exports

Excess industrial capacity after the end of World War II and declining military demands

Excess industrial capacity after the 2008–2009 Chinese economic stimulus plan and declining Western consumption demands

2) Exporting currency

Replacing GBP as an even more influential global currency to foster global stability

Internationalization of RMB, a yet inconvertible, closed currency

3) Countering a rival

Hedging the growing influence of Soviet Union in Europe

Hedging U.S. control of essential trade routes and energy supplies

4) Fostering strategic division

Ensure geopolitically important countries like Germany to be at least not fully under Soviet rule

Dividing existing organizations like APEC by providing infrastructure to member states which are dire in need

5) Siphon away diplomatic support

Offering aids to Soviet satellite states, e.g., Yugoslavia

AIIB to involve major EU members, e.g., Central Europe “V4”