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The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in nearly 70 countries and international organizations. The BRI was initially proposed by China in Kazakhstan.[1] It is considered a centerpiece of Xi Jinping's foreign policy.[2]
The BRI is one of the many factors which is leading to de-dollarization[3] the decline of the influence of the US empire,[4] and enhanced economic growth of non-aligned countries.[5] It has also furthered the strength and helps to carry out what was established in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This has lead to over 40 countries partaking in the BRI's environmentally friendly development.[6]
In 2015, Hungary became the first European country to be a part of the BRI. In 2017, China and Hungary began working on the BRI flagship project of constructing the Hungary-Serbia railway.[7]
In 2021, Cuba has joined the BRI project for the purpose of expanding its telecommunications and green energy industries.[8] Syria has also joined.[9] In February 2022, Argentina joined the BRI.[10][11] Total, this has lead the BRI to have three-fourths of nations in the world participating in it.[12] In total, this has caused 151 countries to sign agreements with China for their mutual benefit.[13]
The participating countries have extracted great benefit from being members in the BRI.[14][15] It has created 420,000 jobs and lifted 40 million people out of poverty.[16][17] The BRI has also lead to deeper ties between China and other participating countries.[18]
In total, China has developed over 200 contacts with 152 countries as part of the BRI.[19]
Trade between China and BRI member countries reached 21 trillion USD between 2013 and October 2023. Direct Chinese investments in BRI member countries reached 270 billion USD during the time period.[20]
Reactions[edit | edit source]
The BRI has been demonized by Western bourgeois media on the basis that it's a "debt trap"[21] or an example of so-called "Chinese imperialism," but these claims serve only propaganda purposes and are not founded in evidence.[22][23][24] Guo Weimin, the spokesman for the initial meeting of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, called such claims, "noises" and rejected them.[13]
In response to concerns, the Communist Party of China has sought to improve reporting standards and transparency with their BRI projects so as to increase trust with member countries.[25]
Anti-imperialist journalist Richard Medhurst has reported that China's BRI project is helping to rebuild the economies that have been destroyed by Western wars and sanctions.[26]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Officials, experts say deepened China-Central Asia cooperation on Belt and Road benefits region, world" (2023-05-18). Xinhua. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ↑ "President Xi proposes Silk Road economic belt".
- ↑ https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2018/04/09/the-de-dollarization-in-china/
- ↑ Danny Haiphong. "U.S. imperial Decline and the Belt and Road Initiative: The Most Important Global Struggle of the Century" Black Agenda Report.
- ↑ "China’s BRI: The REAL Story! Symbol of its Inevitable Rise? With Hussein Askary!".
- ↑ "(CPC Congress) Official hails positive progress in building green Belt and Road" (2022-10-21). Xinhua. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ↑ Wang Wenwen (2024-05-10). "China, Hungary elevate ties during Xi’s visit in Budapest" Global Times. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
- ↑ "Cuba Formally Joins China's Belt and Road Energy Partnership" (2021-10-18). TeleSUR.
- ↑ "Syria Officially Joins China's Belt and Road, Seeking Lifeline to Defy U.S. Sanctions" (2022-12-01).
- ↑ "Argentina officially joins BRI in major boost for China-Latin America cooperation" (2022-02-06). Global Times. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
- ↑ Benjamin Norton (2022-02-12). "Trapped in IMF debt, Argentina turns to Russia and joins China's Belt & Road" Multipolarista.
- ↑ "Belt and Road Initiative participated by three-fourths of world's countries: FM" (2023-03-07). Xinhua. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Belt and Road Initiative promotes economic growth, improves people's lives: spokesperson" (2023-03-03). Xinhua. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ↑ "Belt and Road Initiative a high-quality public good: Chinese FM" (2023-03-07). Xinhua. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ↑ "Chinese political advisors discuss people-to-people connectivity along Belt and Road" (2022-11-25). Xinhua. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ↑ "Belt and Road Initiative creates 420,000 jobs for participant countries: FM" (2023-03-07). Xinhua. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ↑ "Belt and Road Initiative a key platform for new era of international cooperation: Thai ambassador" (2023-03-08). Xinhua. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ↑ "China, Belt and Road countries enjoy closer trade ties" (2023-03-02). Xinhua. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ↑ "BRI benefits partner nations with vast opportunities" (2023-11-20). Xinhua. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- ↑ "China releases document on vision, actions for Belt and Road cooperation in next decade" (2023-11-24). The State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Retrieved 2023-12-4.
- ↑ "China's debt-trap diplomacy". The Hill.
- ↑ "Debunking the Myth of ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’". Chatham House.
- ↑ "The Chinese 'Debt Trap' Is a Myth". The Atlantic.
- ↑ "Catagorically Debunking the Claim that China is Imperialist".
- ↑ "China’s response to Belt and Road backlash".
- ↑ "Syria Officially Joins China's Belt and Road Initiative | BRI" (2022-01-25).