Does the belt and road initiative expand China's export potential to countries along the belt and road?

In this paper, we use difference-in-differences estimation to examine the effect of the Belt and Road Initiative on China's export potential to the countries along the Belt and Road routes. The results show that China's export potential to the Belt and Road countries rose significantly after the initiative began, especially for exports of products in capital intensive industries. We also distinguish between different regions and find a much stronger effect for countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and West Asia. •The Belt and Road Initiative expands China's Export Potential to Partner Countries•The initiative has stronger effect on capital intensive industries•The initiative has stronger effect for countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and West Asia