Kerry in Richmond-Jones, a finance and economics writer for The Economist, and Mathieu Favas, the publication's finance correspondent, dive into China's Belt and Road Initiative, which is becoming more efficient but still ambitious. They discuss the shifting landscape of China's overseas lending and the potential risks for developing nations. The podcast also covers the unexpected success of 'The Chosen', a series about Jesus that resonates with audiences while reshaping Christian entertainment with innovative funding and relatable storytelling.
The Belt and Road initiative to encircle much of the world with Chinese-funded, Chinese-built infrastructure is growing leaner and more penny-wise. But its ambitions are undimmed. Energy-market turmoil has given a boost to the green transition—a boost that has come with hard truths about the shift’s costs. And a television show about Jesus Christ becomes an unlikely hit.