By: Whitney Johnson
April 13, 2024
This paper explores the intricate dynamics of Buddhism within modern China and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The project discusses how Buddhism was integrated into Chinese international diplomatic relations strategy and how that contrasts with the domestic treatment of Buddhist practitioners and religious citizens as a whole. The project focuses on the BRI’s initiatives in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand as case studies where the Chinese government explicitly used Buddhism and Buddhist leaders to garner additional support for the BRI engagement in those countries.
Whitney Johnson (C'24) is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying political economy. She was drawn to the religion, ethics, and world affairs minor because of its intersectional approach to understanding international affairs and her interests in Buddhism and religious actors' influence in politics. She is a Baker Scholar and hopes to pursue a career in impact investing in the clean technology and resource transition spaces.
