×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Home To Bold Columnists
★★★★ - on Play Store
Read on the App

Italy mulls quitting China's 'Belt and Road' but fears offending Beijing

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, meets with Italian Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Beijing, on Sept. 4, 2023. [AP Photo]

Italy is considering whether to leave the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing's multibillion-dollar global trade and infrastructure program, by the end of the year.

The dilemma comes amid geopolitical pressures from Western allies and domestic disappointment that the program has not delivered the economic benefits that the country hoped for.

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week
Bold Reporting Takes Time, Courage and Investment. Stand With Us.
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimized reading experience
  • Weekly Newsletters
  • MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted
Already a subscriber? Log in