The Impact of COVID-19 on the Strategic Belt and Road Initiative in the Light of Cultural Convergences and Divergences between Egypt and China: A Systematic Review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Summer 9-7-2020

Abstract

China unveiled a historical initiative named the “Belt and Road Initiative”

(BRI) launched in 2013, by the Chinese President “Xi Jinping” which will extend

the Chinese influence to large regions of the world through a network of

roads, ports and airports’ infrastructure projects. It represents China’s desire

to revive the old Silk Road in order to reshape the world’s powers by the creation

of a new balance in the International System. The MENA region is

ranked as one of the highest areas in the era for Chinese investment. Egypt is

considered as one of the top countries which will take part in this investment

in the MENA region and Africa. The purpose of this study is to systematically

review the Convergences and Divergences between Egypt and China from a

cultural perspective using Hofstede and GLOBE Models and their impact on

the strategic cooperation between both countries towards the Belt and Road

Initiative and the impact of COVID-19 on this initiative. The methodology of

this study is to review researches and studies conducted and published in the

period from 2010 to 2019. More than 13 studies were identified for analysis

and study. The study yields to three results in both Hofstede and GLOBE

Models: 1) in LTO China scored higher than Egypt; 2) both China and Egypt

were scored closer to collectivism; and 3) In PDI, China has scored higher

than Egypt but not that much as the difference is only 10. However, in the

GLOBE Model, the differences in PDI and IDV dimensions are not as great as

in Hofstede Model.

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