serious implementation problems, like corruption scandals, labour law violations and public protests. so why should the world sit up and listen to this, why should the world worry about it? well, beijing has a buyer's remorse problem on its hands. many foreign leaders initially eager tojump on the belt and road bandwagon are now suspending or cancelling chinese infrastructure projects because of the debt sustainability concerns and because changes in public opinion are making it difficult for these leaders to maintain close relations with beijing. the jury is still out as to whether that will undermine the long—run sustainability or belt and road, but clearly beijing needs to watch its flank, because there will soon be greater choice in the infrastructure financing market which could lead to high—profile defections from the belt and road,