The Application of Mask Diplomacy: China’s Belt and Road Initiative as Health Diplomacy in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Countries During COVID-19

Abstract

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a diversification of economic, diplomatic, and geopolitical activities, previously known as the “New Silk Road”, which was later changed to “One Belt and One Road”. BRI is one of the Chinese Government’s most ambitious foreign and economic policies. China uses this route to expand its influence and gain attention in destinations in commodities, energy, transportation, and others in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) countries. This paper uses descriptive qualitative methods to explore various unique phenomena from the Health Silk Road against Vaccination in MENA countries. As a result, 17 countries have become members of the BRI and have cooperated with China, and at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, most MENA countries are using vaccine diplomacy from China to overcome their crisis. This situation is used for China to carry out “Mask Diplomacy” to expand its influence in MENA countries. This proves to be effective for China in improving and creating more significant opportunities to emerge as a “hero” in providing health services to developing countries while increasing its presence in the world. Kata Kunci: COVID-19; Vaccine diplomacy; Belt Road Initiative; Mask Diplomacy; MENA