Hong Zhang, assistant professor in the Department of International Studies at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School, has published new research in Development and Change analyzing China’s bureaucratic approach to international development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Her article, “China's Belt and Road Initiative in Pakistan: Bureaucratic Coordination and Chinese State-led Development Abroad,” examines how China’s top economic planning agency—the National Development and Reform Commission—coordinates bilateral development agendas with partner countries.
Drawing on Pakistan as a critical case, Zhang explores how this state-led model enables rapid mobilization of capital and infrastructure delivery while revealing institutional challenges, such as limited horizontal coordination and weak responsiveness to local political dynamics. Her findings shed light on the evolving logic of Chinese development cooperation and its global implications.
Students benefit from Zhang’s expertise through courses on global development and political economy, as well as research opportunities on international development governance. These experiences prepare graduates to analyze complex global challenges and contribute to informed policy solutions.
This research reflects the Hamilton Lugar School’s mission to deepen understanding of global issues and foster engaged citizens. By examining China’s role in shaping development paradigms, Zhang’s work equips students to think critically about international cooperation and governance in an interconnected world.
Read the full article, "China's Belt and Road Initiative in Pakistan: Bureaucratic Coordination and Chinese State-led Development Abroad," in Development and Change.
