The Indian Ocean is India's backyard. But, China wants to control the region and its waters. How will it do that? By establishing a permanent naval presence in the Indian Ocean. On Gravitas Plus, Palki Sharma tells you how China is weaponising the Belt and Road initiative.

Gravitas Plus: China is Weaponising the Belt and Road Initiative

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla on Saturday (September 25) said that infrastructure partnership between Quad nations was independent of 'any other parameters', indirectly denying that Quad infra initiative was a counter to China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He was responding to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma's question during press conference.

"You spoke about infrastructure partnership, can you detail something on the scale and scope of this? And is this comparable to China's BRI which has pushed countries into debt? Also, is Quad going to have a military dimension?" asked Palki Sharma.

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"The idea is to provide certain standards to provide a certain level of transparency," said Shringla.

Reading from a paper in his hand, Shringla said that Quad infrastructure partnership would look at "mapping region's infrastructure needs, co-ordinating regional needs and opportunities, providing technical assistance, empowering regional partners with evaluative tools, promoting sustainable infrastructure development"

On repeating the question on military angle of the Quad.&nbsp;Shringla avoided direct comment.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quad-joint-statement-underlines-need-for-open-indo-pacific-undaunted-by-coercion-415748">Quad joint statement underlines need for open Indo-Pacific 'undaunted by coercion'</a>

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China's ambitious infrastructure project that is expected to span Asia, Europe by land and even Africa via waterways. However, China's approach has raised alarm worldwide. The countries implementing BRI projects on their soil are often seen to get stuck in a debt trap thus keeping their economies at China's mercy.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-monitor-actions-not-the-words-of-the-taliban-japans-pm-415701">We will monitor actions, not the words of the Taliban: Japan's PM</a>

Quad grouping, comprising of Australia, India, Japan and the USA is often perceived as a group of nations that wants to contain growing Chinese assertiveness.

Quad countries had their first-ever in-person summit in Washington on Saturday (local time).&nbsp;

In the run-up to the Quad summit China expressed its displeasure as said that the grouping was “doomed to fail”.

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla on Saturday (September 25) said that infrastructure partnership between Quad nations was independent of 'any other parameters', indirectly denying that Quad infra initiative was a counter to China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla on Saturday (September 25) said that infrastructure partnership between Quad nations was independent of 'any other parameters', indirectly denying that Quad infra initiative was a counter to China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He was responding to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma's question during press conference. "You spoke about infrastructure partnership, can you detail something on the scale and scope of this? And is this comparable to China's BRI which has pushed countries into debt? Also, is Quad going to have a military dimension?" asked Palki Sharma. × "The idea is to provide certain standards to provide a certain level of transparency," said Shringla. Reading from a paper in his hand, Shringla said that Quad infrastructure partnership would look at "mapping region's infrastructure needs, co-ordinating regional needs and opportunities, providing technical assistance, empowering regional partners with evaluative tools, promoting sustainable infrastructure development" On repeating the question on military angle of the Quad. Shringla avoided direct comment. Also Read | Quad joint statement underlines need for open Indo-Pacific 'undaunted by coercion' Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China's ambitious infrastructure project that is expected to span Asia, Europe by land and even Africa via waterways. However, China's approach has raised alarm worldwide. The countries implementing BRI projects on their soil are often seen to get stuck in a debt trap thus keeping their economies at China's mercy. Also Read | We will monitor actions, not the words of the Taliban: Japan's PM Quad grouping, comprising of Australia, India, Japan and the USA is often perceived as a group of nations that wants to contain growing Chinese assertiveness. Quad countries had their first-ever in-person summit in Washington on Saturday (local time). In the run-up to the Quad summit China expressed its displeasure as said that the grouping was “doomed to fail”.

Quad infra partnership independent of BRI, Indian foreign secretary tells Wion

Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman, said on Tuesday that India's concerns over China's Belt and Road Initiative supporting Afghanistan are "inappropriate," according to The Global Times.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, 139 countries had signed agreements with China as of March, with China assisting these countries in the construction of roads and ports as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.&nbsp;

Some of India's concerns aren't appropriate and neither are they plausible, said Taliban Spokesperson Suhail Shaheen, in an interview with Chinese mouthpiece Global Times.

"While having ended the occupation, we need to focus on the reconstruction of Afghanistan. And now China has come forward to help us with the construction of Afghanistan to create jobs for our people. So what is wrong with that?" asked Shaheen.

"China can also take part in the construction of Afghanistan and assist in other essential sectors. After this, both countries can then enter into mutually beneficial bilateral agreements which best serve the interests of both countries through mutual respect."

With the evacuation of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan now complete, the Taliban leadership is looking to China for massive investments in the volatile country over the next six months. 
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid previously stated that the group "desires" to be a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

According to Nikkei Asia, China has been courting the Taliban for future projects in Afghanistan since 2018.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman, said on Tuesday that India's concerns over China's Belt and Road Initiative supporting Afghanistan are "inappropriate," according to The Global Times.

Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman, said on Tuesday that India's concerns over China's Belt and Road Initiative supporting Afghanistan are "inappropriate," according to The Global Times. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, 139 countries had signed agreements with China as of March, with China assisting these countries in the construction of roads and ports as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Some of India's concerns aren't appropriate and neither are they plausible, said Taliban Spokesperson Suhail Shaheen, in an interview with Chinese mouthpiece Global Times. "While having ended the occupation, we need to focus on the reconstruction of Afghanistan. And now China has come forward to help us with the construction of Afghanistan to create jobs for our people. So what is wrong with that?" asked Shaheen. "China can also take part in the construction of Afghanistan and assist in other essential sectors. After this, both countries can then enter into mutually beneficial bilateral agreements which best serve the interests of both countries through mutual respect." With the evacuation of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan now complete, the Taliban leadership is looking to China for massive investments in the volatile country over the next six months. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid previously stated that the group "desires" to be a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). According to Nikkei Asia, China has been courting the Taliban for future projects in Afghanistan since 2018. (With inputs from agencies)

India’s concern on China helping Afghanistan is inappropriate: Taliban

China late Wednesday called an Australian federal government decision to scrap a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deal between Beijing and Victoria state "unreasonable and provocative" as relations tank between the two countries.

"The BRI cooperation between China and the Victoria state is conducive to deepening economic and trade relations between the two sides," a statement by the Chinese Embassy in&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;said. "This is another unreasonable and provocative move taken by the Australian side against China.

Australia said a decision to cancel two deals between Victoria state and China on the Belt and Road Initiative was about ensuring consistency in foreign relations and was not aimed at any country.

Canberra last year introduced new laws widely seen as targeting China that allow it to scrap any agreements between state authorities and foreign countries deemed to threaten the national interest.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne&nbsp;said Wednesday the federal government would override the Victorian state government's decision to sign up to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a vast network of investments that critics say is cover for Beijing creating geopolitical and financial leverage.

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Payne said on radio on Thursday she had received a thousand notifications from the states about deals they had with multiple foreign governments, under a new process that gives her veto over such arrangements.

"This scheme is very focussed on Australia's national interest. Its about ensuring consistency of our foreign relations across Australia and it's most certainly not aimed at any one country," she told ABC radio's AM programme.

Beijing had been notified of the decision before it was made public on Wednesday evening.

She added Australia was committed to engaging with China, and was "asking all goverments around the world to respect our government's decision-making authority".

The announcement comes at a time of deteriorating relations between Beijing and Canberra, with the two governments at loggerheads over trade and competing for influence in the Pacific.

The BRI is the flagship of President Xi Jinping's geostrategic vision for the Asia-Pacific region, and damage to its progress is likely to further rupture relations between the two countries.

Australia's conservative coalition government had declined to agree to a country-level MOU with China on the Belt and Road Initiative. But Victoria Labor Premier Dan Andrews signed an agreement to promote the infrastructure development initiative in 2018 and 2019，saying it would bring Chinese investment to his state.

Under&nbsp;Australia's constitution, the federal government is responsible for foreign affairs and defence. States typically deliver services such as health and education but in reality there is frequent overlap.&nbsp;

Diplomatic relations between Australia and China have worsened since Canberra called for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus, prompting trade reprisals from Beijing.

On Wednesday, a senior Chinese embassy official again criticised Australia's move to effectively ban Chinese telecommunications company Huawei from its 5G network in 2018, the first country to do so, saying Canberra had "even persuaded others to follow suit".

Payne is visiting New Zealand, where she will meet her counterpart Nanaia Mahuta. Mahuta on Monday said New Zealand did not support the Five Eyes security alliance - which also includes Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States - speaking out on human rights issues.

The comments were widely interpreted as referring to Five Eyes joint statements criticising China.

"Australia will continue to emphasise the vital nature of the Five Eyes in security and intelligence," Payne said on Thursday.

(With inputs from agencies)

China late Wednesday called an Australian federal government decision to scrap a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deal between Beijing and Victoria state "unreasonable and provocative" as relations tank between the two countries.

China late Wednesday called an Australian federal government decision to scrap a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deal between Beijing and Victoria state "unreasonable and provocative" as relations tank between the two countries. "The BRI cooperation between China and the Victoria state is conducive to deepening economic and trade relations between the two sides," a statement by the Chinese Embassy in Australia said. "This is another unreasonable and provocative move taken by the Australian side against China. Australia said a decision to cancel two deals between Victoria state and China on the Belt and Road Initiative was about ensuring consistency in foreign relations and was not aimed at any country. Canberra last year introduced new laws widely seen as targeting China that allow it to scrap any agreements between state authorities and foreign countries deemed to threaten the national interest. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Wednesday the federal government would override the Victorian state government's decision to sign up to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a vast network of investments that critics say is cover for Beijing creating geopolitical and financial leverage. Payne said on radio on Thursday she had received a thousand notifications from the states about deals they had with multiple foreign governments, under a new process that gives her veto over such arrangements. "This scheme is very focussed on Australia's national interest. Its about ensuring consistency of our foreign relations across Australia and it's most certainly not aimed at any one country," she told ABC radio's AM programme. Beijing had been notified of the decision before it was made public on Wednesday evening. She added Australia was committed to engaging with China, and was "asking all goverments around the world to respect our government's decision-making authority". The announcement comes at a time of deteriorating relations between Beijing and Canberra, with the two governments at loggerheads over trade and competing for influence in the Pacific. The BRI is the flagship of President Xi Jinping's geostrategic vision for the Asia-Pacific region, and damage to its progress is likely to further rupture relations between the two countries. Australia's conservative coalition government had declined to agree to a country-level MOU with China on the Belt and Road Initiative. But Victoria Labor Premier Dan Andrews signed an agreement to promote the infrastructure development initiative in 2018 and 2019，saying it would bring Chinese investment to his state. Under Australia's constitution, the federal government is responsible for foreign affairs and defence. States typically deliver services such as health and education but in reality there is frequent overlap. Diplomatic relations between Australia and China have worsened since Canberra called for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus, prompting trade reprisals from Beijing. On Wednesday, a senior Chinese embassy official again criticised Australia's move to effectively ban Chinese telecommunications company Huawei from its 5G network in 2018, the first country to do so, saying Canberra had "even persuaded others to follow suit". Payne is visiting New Zealand, where she will meet her counterpart Nanaia Mahuta. Mahuta on Monday said New Zealand did not support the Five Eyes security alliance - which also includes Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States - speaking out on human rights issues. The comments were widely interpreted as referring to Five Eyes joint statements criticising China. "Australia will continue to emphasise the vital nature of the Five Eyes in security and intelligence," Payne said on Thursday. (With inputs from agencies)

China hits out at 'provocative' Australian scrapping of Belt and Road Initiative

Australia announced on Wednesday that a state government’s deal with China to join its Belt and Road Initiative has now been cancelled.

This is being seen as an extension of new laws last year which allowed Australian government to revoke any agreements between states and foreign countries which may get in the way national interest.

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On Wednesday, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that the federal government will override the decision of the Victorian state government, effectively revoking its involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Many critics feel that the series of investments by China are aimed at coaxing financial and geopolitical leverage. New powers would allow Payne to tear up two documents signed in 2018 and 2019 respectively - a memorandum of understanding and a framework agreement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/biden-says-he-suggested-uk-pm-johnson-a-plan-to-rival-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-373588" hreflang="en">Biden says he suggested UK PM Johnson a plan to rival China's Belt and Road Initiative</a>

"I consider these four arrangements to be inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy or adverse to our foreign relations," Payne was cited as saying by AFP.

Relations between China and Australia are currently at an all time low, with two countries involved in spats relating to trade and with growing competition for influence in the Pacific. Last year, Australia’s calls for an independent enquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic angered China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions-blogs/critical-reflections-on-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-336014" hreflang="en">Critical reflections on China’s Belt and Road Initiative</a>

Besides the deal with China, Australia will also revoke a memorandum of understanding from 2004 signed with Iran, along with a scientific cooperation agreement signed with Syria in 1999 by Victoria’s education department.

(With inputs from agencies)

Australia announced on Wednesday that a state government’s deal with China to join its Belt and Road Initiative has now been cancelled. This is being seen as an extension of new laws last year which allowed Australian government to revoke any agreements between states and foreign countries which may get in the way national interest.

Australia announced on Wednesday that a state government’s deal with China to join its Belt and Road Initiative has now been cancelled. This is being seen as an extension of new laws last year which allowed Australian government to revoke any agreements between states and foreign countries which may get in the way national interest. On Wednesday, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that the federal government will override the decision of the Victorian state government, effectively revoking its involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative. Many critics feel that the series of investments by China are aimed at coaxing financial and geopolitical leverage. New powers would allow Payne to tear up two documents signed in 2018 and 2019 respectively - a memorandum of understanding and a framework agreement. Also read: Biden says he suggested UK PM Johnson a plan to rival China's Belt and Road Initiative "I consider these four arrangements to be inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy or adverse to our foreign relations," Payne was cited as saying by AFP. Relations between China and Australia are currently at an all time low, with two countries involved in spats relating to trade and with growing competition for influence in the Pacific. Last year, Australia’s calls for an independent enquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic angered China. Also read: Critical reflections on China’s Belt and Road Initiative Besides the deal with China, Australia will also revoke a memorandum of understanding from 2004 signed with Iran, along with a scientific cooperation agreement signed with Syria in 1999 by Victoria’s education department. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia overrides state's decision to join China's Belt and Road initiative

US President Joe Biden said he had suggested to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that democratic countries should have "an infrastructure plan" to rival China’s Belt and Road initiative. He gave this advice via a phone call on Friday.

“I suggested we should have, essentially, a similar initiative, pulling from the democratic states, helping those communities around the world that, in fact, need help,” Biden told reporters on Friday.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a multitrillion-dollar infrastructure scheme launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping involving development and investment initiatives that would stretch from East Asia to Europe.

The project would significantly expand China’s economic and political influence, raising concerns in the United States and elsewhere.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-invites-40-world-leaders-including-xi-and-putin-to-virtual-climate-summit-373539">Also read |&nbsp;Biden invites 40 world leaders, including Xi and Putin, to virtual climate summit</a>

Biden’s remarks came after he said on Thursday he would prevent China from passing the United States to become the most powerful country in the world, vowing to invest heavily to ensure America prevails in the ever-growing rivalry between the world’s two largest economies.

Biden plans to unveil a multitrillion-dollar plan to upgrade US infrastructure next week. He said on Thursday this would ensure increased US investment in promising new technologies, such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

Over 100 countries have signed agreements with China to cooperate in BRI projects like railways, ports, highways and other infrastructure. However, China said last year that about 20% of BRI projects had been “seriously affected” by the coronavirus pandemic.

US President Joe Biden said he had suggested to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that democratic countries should have "an infrastructure plan" to rival China’s Belt and Road initiative.

US President Joe Biden said he had suggested to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that democratic countries should have "an infrastructure plan" to rival China’s Belt and Road initiative. He gave this advice via a phone call on Friday. “I suggested we should have, essentially, a similar initiative, pulling from the democratic states, helping those communities around the world that, in fact, need help,” Biden told reporters on Friday. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a multitrillion-dollar infrastructure scheme launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping involving development and investment initiatives that would stretch from East Asia to Europe. The project would significantly expand China’s economic and political influence, raising concerns in the United States and elsewhere. Also read | Biden invites 40 world leaders, including Xi and Putin, to virtual climate summit Biden’s remarks came after he said on Thursday he would prevent China from passing the United States to become the most powerful country in the world, vowing to invest heavily to ensure America prevails in the ever-growing rivalry between the world’s two largest economies. Biden plans to unveil a multitrillion-dollar plan to upgrade US infrastructure next week. He said on Thursday this would ensure increased US investment in promising new technologies, such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. Over 100 countries have signed agreements with China to cooperate in BRI projects like railways, ports, highways and other infrastructure. However, China said last year that about 20% of BRI projects had been “seriously affected” by the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden says he suggested UK PM Johnson a plan to rival China's Belt and Road Initiative

Based on remarks at the RSIS book launch of Alan Chong and Quang Minh Pham (eds), Critical Reflections on China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Palgrave MacMillan, 2020

Political scientists Alan Chong and Quang Min Pham bring with their edited volume originality as well as dimensions and perspectives to the discussion about the Belt and Road that are highly relevant but often either unrecognised or underemphasised.

The book is about much more than the material aspects of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In fact, various chapter authors use the BRI to look at perhaps the most fundamental issue of our times: how does one build a global world order and societies that are inclusive, cohesive and capable of managing interests of all stakeholders as well as political, cultural, ethnic and religious differences in ways that all are recognised without prejudice and/or discrimination?

In doing so, the book introduces a moral category into policy and policy analysis. That is an important and commendable effort even if it may be a hard sell in an increasingly polarised world in which prejudice and bias and policies that flow from it have gained new legitimacy and become mainstream in various parts of the world.

It allows for the introduction of considerations that are fundamental to managing multiple current crises that have been accentuated by the pandemic and its economic fallout.

One of those is put forward in the chapter of the late international affairs scholar Lily Ling in which she writes about the need for a global agenda to take the requirements of ordinary people into account to ensure a more inclusive world. The question is how does one achieve that.

It is a question that permeates multiple aspects of our individual and collective lives.

If the last decade was one of defiance and dissent, of a breakdown in confidence in political leadership and systems and of greater authoritarianism and autocracy to retain power, this new decade, given the pandemic and economic crisis, is likely to be a continuation of the last one on steroids.

One only has to look at continued Arab popular revolts, Black Lives Matter, the anti-lockdown protests, and the popularity of conspiracy theories like QAnon. All of this is compounded by decreasing trust in US leadership and the efficacy of Western concepts of governance, democratic backsliding, and the handling of the pandemic in America and Europe.

Mr Chong conceptualises in his chapter perceived tolerance along ancient silk roads as stemming from what he terms ‘mercantile harmony’ among peoples and elites rather than states. It was rooted, in Mr Chong’s mind, in empathy, a sense of spirituality and a mercantile approach towards the exchange of ideas and goods.

It was also informed by the solidarity of travellers shaped by the fact that they encountered similar obstacles and threats on their journeys. And it stems from the connectivity needs of empires that built cities and roads to retain their control that Mr Chong projects as civilisation builders.

There may be an element of idealisation of the degree of tolerance along the ancient Silk Road and the assertion that the new silk road is everything that the old silk road was not. But the notion of the role of non-state, civil society actors is key to the overall quest for inclusiveness.

So is the fact that historic travellers like Fa-Hsien, Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta grappled with the very same issues that today’s world is attempting to tackle: the parameters of human interaction, virtue, diversity, governance, materialism, and the role of religion.

The emphasis on a moral category and the comparison of the ancient and the new Silk Road frames a key theme in the book: the issue of the China-centric, top down nature of the Belt and Road. Vietnamese China scholar Trinh Van Dinh positions the Belt and Road as the latest iteration of China’s history of the pioneering of connectivity as the reflection of a regime that is at the peak of its power.

Mr Van Dinh sees the Belt and Road as the vehicle that will potentially revitalise Chinese economic development. It is a proposition on which the jury is still out in a world that could split into two distinct camps.

It is a world in which China brings much to the table but that is also populated by black and grey swans, some of which are of China’s own making. These include the favouring of Chinese companies and labour in Belt and Road projects, although to be fair Western development aid often operated on the same principle. But it also includes China’s brutal response to perceived threats posed by ethnic and religious minorities.

That may be one arena where the failure to fully consider the global breakdown in confidence in leadership and systems comes to haunt China. That is potentially no more the case than in the greater Middle East that stretches from the Atlantic coast of Africa into the Chinese province of Xinjiang.

It's not an aspect that figures explicitly in political scientist Manouchehr Dorraj’s contribution to the book on China’s relationship with Iran as well as Saudi Arabia but lingers in the background of his perceptive analysis of anticipated changes in the region’s lay of the land.

Mr Dooraj focusses on three aspects that are important as one watches developments unfold: The impact of shifts in the energy mix away from oil coupled with the emergence of significant reserves beyond the Middle East, Iran’s geopolitical advantages compared to Saudi Arabia when it comes to the architecture of the Belt and Road, and the fact that China is recognizing that refraining from political engagement is no longer viable.

However, China’s emphasis on state-to-state relationships could prove to be a risky strategy assuming that the Middle East will retain its prominence in protests that seek to ensure better governance and more inclusive social and economic policies.

That takes on added significance given that potential energy shifts could reduce Chinese dependence on Middle Eastern energy as well as repeated assertions by Chinese intellectuals that call into question the relative importance of China’s economic engagement in the region as well as its ranking in Chinese strategic thinking.

The implications of the book’s partial emphasis on what Mr Chong terms philosophical and cultural dialogue reach far beyond the book’s confines. They go to issues that many of us are grappling with but have no good answers.

In his conclusion, Mr Chong suggests that in order to manage different value systems and interests one has to water down the Westphalian dogma of treating national interests as zero-sum conceptions.

One just has to look at the pandemic the world is trying to come to grips with, the need for a global health care governance that can confront future pandemics, and the world’s environmental crisis to realize the relevance of former Singaporean diplomat and public intellectual Kishore Mahbubani’s description of the nation state system as a boat with 193 cabins and cabin administrators but no captain at the helm.

Mr Chong looks for answers in the experience of ancient Silk Road travellers. That may be a standard that a Belt and Road managed by an autocratic Chinese leadership that is anything but inclusive would at best struggle to meet.

A podcast version of this story is available on Soundcloud, Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spreaker, Pocket Casts, Tumblr, Podbean, Audecibel, Patreon and Castbox.

Dr James M Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. He is also a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute and co-director of the University of Wuerzburg’s Institute of Fan Culture in Germany.

Based on remarks at the RSIS book launch of Alan Chong and Quang Minh Pham (eds), Critical Reflections on China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Palgrave MacMillan, 2020 Political scientists Alan Chong and Quang Min Pham bring with their edited volume originality as well as dimensions and perspectives to the discussion about the Belt and Road that are highly relevant but often either unrecognised or underemphasised.

Based on remarks at the RSIS book launch of Alan Chong and Quang Minh Pham (eds), Critical Reflections on China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Palgrave MacMillan, 2020 Political scientists Alan Chong and Quang Min Pham bring with their edited volume originality as well as dimensions and perspectives to the discussion about the Belt and Road that are highly relevant but often either unrecognised or underemphasised. The book is about much more than the material aspects of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In fact, various chapter authors use the BRI to look at perhaps the most fundamental issue of our times: how does one build a global world order and societies that are inclusive, cohesive and capable of managing interests of all stakeholders as well as political, cultural, ethnic and religious differences in ways that all are recognised without prejudice and/or discrimination? In doing so, the book introduces a moral category into policy and policy analysis. That is an important and commendable effort even if it may be a hard sell in an increasingly polarised world in which prejudice and bias and policies that flow from it have gained new legitimacy and become mainstream in various parts of the world. It allows for the introduction of considerations that are fundamental to managing multiple current crises that have been accentuated by the pandemic and its economic fallout. One of those is put forward in the chapter of the late international affairs scholar Lily Ling in which she writes about the need for a global agenda to take the requirements of ordinary people into account to ensure a more inclusive world. The question is how does one achieve that. It is a question that permeates multiple aspects of our individual and collective lives. If the last decade was one of defiance and dissent, of a breakdown in confidence in political leadership and systems and of greater authoritarianism and autocracy to retain power, this new decade, given the pandemic and economic crisis, is likely to be a continuation of the last one on steroids. One only has to look at continued Arab popular revolts, Black Lives Matter, the anti-lockdown protests, and the popularity of conspiracy theories like QAnon. All of this is compounded by decreasing trust in US leadership and the efficacy of Western concepts of governance, democratic backsliding, and the handling of the pandemic in America and Europe. Mr Chong conceptualises in his chapter perceived tolerance along ancient silk roads as stemming from what he terms ‘mercantile harmony’ among peoples and elites rather than states. It was rooted, in Mr Chong’s mind, in empathy, a sense of spirituality and a mercantile approach towards the exchange of ideas and goods. It was also informed by the solidarity of travellers shaped by the fact that they encountered similar obstacles and threats on their journeys. And it stems from the connectivity needs of empires that built cities and roads to retain their control that Mr Chong projects as civilisation builders. There may be an element of idealisation of the degree of tolerance along the ancient Silk Road and the assertion that the new silk road is everything that the old silk road was not. But the notion of the role of non-state, civil society actors is key to the overall quest for inclusiveness. So is the fact that historic travellers like Fa-Hsien, Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta grappled with the very same issues that today’s world is attempting to tackle: the parameters of human interaction, virtue, diversity, governance, materialism, and the role of religion. The emphasis on a moral category and the comparison of the ancient and the new Silk Road frames a key theme in the book: the issue of the China-centric, top down nature of the Belt and Road. Vietnamese China scholar Trinh Van Dinh positions the Belt and Road as the latest iteration of China’s history of the pioneering of connectivity as the reflection of a regime that is at the peak of its power. Mr Van Dinh sees the Belt and Road as the vehicle that will potentially revitalise Chinese economic development. It is a proposition on which the jury is still out in a world that could split into two distinct camps. It is a world in which China brings much to the table but that is also populated by black and grey swans, some of which are of China’s own making. These include the favouring of Chinese companies and labour in Belt and Road projects, although to be fair Western development aid often operated on the same principle. But it also includes China’s brutal response to perceived threats posed by ethnic and religious minorities. That may be one arena where the failure to fully consider the global breakdown in confidence in leadership and systems comes to haunt China. That is potentially no more the case than in the greater Middle East that stretches from the Atlantic coast of Africa into the Chinese province of Xinjiang. It's not an aspect that figures explicitly in political scientist Manouchehr Dorraj’s contribution to the book on China’s relationship with Iran as well as Saudi Arabia but lingers in the background of his perceptive analysis of anticipated changes in the region’s lay of the land. Mr Dooraj focusses on three aspects that are important as one watches developments unfold: The impact of shifts in the energy mix away from oil coupled with the emergence of significant reserves beyond the Middle East, Iran’s geopolitical advantages compared to Saudi Arabia when it comes to the architecture of the Belt and Road, and the fact that China is recognizing that refraining from political engagement is no longer viable. However, China’s emphasis on state-to-state relationships could prove to be a risky strategy assuming that the Middle East will retain its prominence in protests that seek to ensure better governance and more inclusive social and economic policies. That takes on added significance given that potential energy shifts could reduce Chinese dependence on Middle Eastern energy as well as repeated assertions by Chinese intellectuals that call into question the relative importance of China’s economic engagement in the region as well as its ranking in Chinese strategic thinking. The implications of the book’s partial emphasis on what Mr Chong terms philosophical and cultural dialogue reach far beyond the book’s confines. They go to issues that many of us are grappling with but have no good answers. In his conclusion, Mr Chong suggests that in order to manage different value systems and interests one has to water down the Westphalian dogma of treating national interests as zero-sum conceptions. One just has to look at the pandemic the world is trying to come to grips with, the need for a global health care governance that can confront future pandemics, and the world’s environmental crisis to realize the relevance of former Singaporean diplomat and public intellectual Kishore Mahbubani’s description of the nation state system as a boat with 193 cabins and cabin administrators but no captain at the helm. Mr Chong looks for answers in the experience of ancient Silk Road travellers. That may be a standard that a Belt and Road managed by an autocratic Chinese leadership that is anything but inclusive would at best struggle to meet. A podcast version of this story is available on Soundcloud, Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spreaker, Pocket Casts, Tumblr, Podbean, Audecibel, Patreon and Castbox. Dr James M Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. He is also a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute and co-director of the University of Wuerzburg’s Institute of Fan Culture in Germany.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative pinpoints fundamental issues of our times

China is taking a dangerous path in its attempts to make the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) successful.&nbsp;

The dragon is forcing the projects down the throat of its partners and Myanmar is one such example, a country that now regrets its contract with Beijing.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-chinas-bad-loan-crisis-lead-to-the-collapse-of-its-economy-312044">Will China's bad loan crisis lead to the collapse of its economy?</a>

The all-powerful generals of Myanmar&nbsp;have spoken out about their discontent over China forcing BRI projects on them.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-debt-trap-increases-amid-budget-deficit-bri-roadblock-312031">China's debt trap increases amid budget deficit, BRI roadblock</a>&nbsp;

This is about the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, something similar to CPEC between Beijing and Islamabad.&nbsp;

This project gives China access to the Bay of Bengal and the eastern part of the Indian Ocean.&nbsp;

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Myanmar's national debt stands at $10 billion, out of which they owe $4 billion to China.&nbsp;

Reportedly, Myanmar has to pay China $500 million annually.&nbsp;

Naypyidaw has now sought New Delhi's help to expedite infrastructure projects with India.&nbsp;

Both nations are working on a transit transportation project that passes through the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram.&nbsp;

The project will open up sea routes and a highway transport system. It will link a seaport in the Indian city of Kolkata to Rakhine and the Chin states in Myanmar.&nbsp;

These projects have angered the dragon and now Beijing is playing dirty.&nbsp;

Reports say Beijing is training rebel groups that could target Indian interests in Myanmar.&nbsp;

WION told you this earlier too.&nbsp;

Naypyidaw has accused Beijing of arming the Arakan Army and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, the rebel groups that operate in the Rakhine state.&nbsp;

Last year, a report had claimed that the armies of India and Myanmar prevented an attack on a transport project. The perpetrator was apparently of the Arakan Army.&nbsp;

This is not the first time that China has been accused of supporting armed groups with weapons and funds in Myanmar.&nbsp;

Between 2015 and 2017, Chinese nationals were accused of funding the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. This is a communist-inspired armed group.&nbsp;

This group used a WeChat account to collect funds worth over $500,000. Payments made by Chinese citizens were allegedly held in Chinese banks.

These include payments in&nbsp;a state-owned bank&nbsp;in China and the accounts were suspended after news agency Reuters reported about it.&nbsp;

Earlier also, China has backed insurgent groups, including fuelling United Wa State Army, Myanmar's largest armed ethnic group.&nbsp;

A Chinese businessman gave this group as much as $1.5 billion and the funding came from a Ponzi scheme.&nbsp;

That businessman defrauded nearly a million Chinese investors, who lost nearly $7.6 million.&nbsp;

So, Myanmar is wary of Chinese investments and this is the reason why projects backed by India are getting a push.&nbsp;

China is taking a dangerous path in its attempts to make the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) successful. The dragon is forcing the projects down the throat of its partners and Myanmar is one such example, a country that now regrets its contract with Beijing.

China is taking a dangerous path in its attempts to make the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) successful. The dragon is forcing the projects down the throat of its partners and Myanmar is one such example, a country that now regrets its contract with Beijing. Also read | Will China's bad loan crisis lead to the collapse of its economy? The all-powerful generals of Myanmar have spoken out about their discontent over China forcing BRI projects on them. Also read | China's debt trap increases amid budget deficit, BRI roadblock This is about the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, something similar to CPEC between Beijing and Islamabad. This project gives China access to the Bay of Bengal and the eastern part of the Indian Ocean. × Myanmar's national debt stands at $10 billion, out of which they owe $4 billion to China. Reportedly, Myanmar has to pay China $500 million annually. Naypyidaw has now sought New Delhi's help to expedite infrastructure projects with India. Both nations are working on a transit transportation project that passes through the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram. The project will open up sea routes and a highway transport system. It will link a seaport in the Indian city of Kolkata to Rakhine and the Chin states in Myanmar. These projects have angered the dragon and now Beijing is playing dirty. Reports say Beijing is training rebel groups that could target Indian interests in Myanmar. WION told you this earlier too. Naypyidaw has accused Beijing of arming the Arakan Army and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, the rebel groups that operate in the Rakhine state. Last year, a report had claimed that the armies of India and Myanmar prevented an attack on a transport project. The perpetrator was apparently of the Arakan Army. This is not the first time that China has been accused of supporting armed groups with weapons and funds in Myanmar. Between 2015 and 2017, Chinese nationals were accused of funding the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. This is a communist-inspired armed group. This group used a WeChat account to collect funds worth over $500,000. Payments made by Chinese citizens were allegedly held in Chinese banks. These include payments in a state-owned bank in China and the accounts were suspended after news agency Reuters reported about it. Earlier also, China has backed insurgent groups, including fuelling United Wa State Army, Myanmar's largest armed ethnic group. A Chinese businessman gave this group as much as $1.5 billion and the funding came from a Ponzi scheme. That businessman defrauded nearly a million Chinese investors, who lost nearly $7.6 million. So, Myanmar is wary of Chinese investments and this is the reason why projects backed by India are getting a push.

As China pushes for BRI, why Myanmar is coming close to India

President Xi Jinping is China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. He rose to power in 2013 and since then, he has focused his energies on proving to the world that the 21st century belongs to China.

And to achieve his mission Xi Jinping made three pledges. &nbsp; 
 
First: End poverty in 2020 
Second: Ensure China’s rise a tech superpower 
Third: Put china at the Centre of the world, with the Belt and Road initiative

End poverty in 2020

The Wuhan virus has bugged every single plan of Xi Jinping and now he is facing his toughest year. The biggest crisis of his career. China is falling behind in its race to defeat poverty. &nbsp;

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The end to absolute poverty is one of the founding missions of China’s Communist Party. Xi Jinping wanted to wipe it out in 2020 and that's not happening. China's economy has shrunk by 6.8 per cent. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

And for the first time this year, China did not set a GDP target. &nbsp;Forget eradicating poverty this year, more people in China are becoming poor. According to one estimate, as many as 80 million people were out of work in China by the end of March this year. The end to absolute poverty is now a distant dream. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Tech supremacy 
 
China is falling behind in this too. Beijing set out to challenge America, but now it's on the back foot. Chinese tech companies are being banned — left, right and Centre. &nbsp;Huawei was supposed to be the ticket to China’s world dominance on the internet. &nbsp;But Huawei is now being banned. In one country after the other. The United States has led the campaign against Huawei. &nbsp;Key allies — have backed America’s call. &nbsp;Australia and Japan have banned Huawei. &nbsp;New Zealand blocked Huawei from supplying to one company. &nbsp;The United Kingdom — is reviewing its policy. &nbsp;India has opened a new front in this fight — with a ban on 59 Chinese apps. &nbsp;It could follow it up— with a ban on Huawei too. &nbsp;

Reports say Indian leaders have discussed it. &nbsp;This won’t just be an economic loss for Beijing. &nbsp;It will also lose the chance to dictate the future of the internet.

And finally, Xi Jinping’s dream project The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) now turning into his nightmare the pandemic has turned Belt &amp; Road— into belt and roadblocks. &nbsp;

Projects are being cancelled, countries want their loan agreements reviewed. &nbsp;The causalities are growing.

In February, Egypt postponed the construction of a power plant.&nbsp;

Next month — Bangladesh cancelled plans for a coal plant. &nbsp;Pakistan wants easier repayment terms. &nbsp;They want loans on 30 billion dollars’ worth of power projects reworked. &nbsp;Tanzania has cancelled a 10 billion dollar port project. &nbsp;

In Nigeria, lawmakers have voted for a review on all Chinese loans. &nbsp;Africa is the latest headache for Beijing. &nbsp;It has given 145 billion dollars in loans to African countries.&nbsp;

Now, most African leaders want Beijing to forgive the debt. When Xi Jinping took power — China was an economic superpower.&nbsp;

It had allies on its side it got red—carpet welcomes at global forums. &nbsp;But of all, that seems gone now. China is in the dock, the exporter of a deadly virus. A country that swallows foreign land and betrays allies. A country that violates human rights and targets minorities. Almost all of this — can be traced back to Xi Jinping himself. &nbsp;Xi Jinping's enormous ambition is leading his country to ruin. At this rate, China will be a global pariah. &nbsp;Ruled by a paranoid leader and the communist party.

Insecure, power-hungry and imagining threats at every turn. &nbsp; &nbsp;

President Xi Jinping is China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. He rose to power in 2013 and since then, he has focused his energies on proving to the world that the 21st century belongs to China.

President Xi Jinping is China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. He rose to power in 2013 and since then, he has focused his energies on proving to the world that the 21st century belongs to China. And to achieve his mission Xi Jinping made three pledges. First: End poverty in 2020 Second: Ensure China’s rise a tech superpower Third: Put china at the Centre of the world, with the Belt and Road initiative End poverty in 2020 The Wuhan virus has bugged every single plan of Xi Jinping and now he is facing his toughest year. The biggest crisis of his career. China is falling behind in its race to defeat poverty. The end to absolute poverty is one of the founding missions of China’s Communist Party. Xi Jinping wanted to wipe it out in 2020 and that's not happening. China's economy has shrunk by 6.8 per cent. And for the first time this year, China did not set a GDP target. Forget eradicating poverty this year, more people in China are becoming poor. According to one estimate, as many as 80 million people were out of work in China by the end of March this year. The end to absolute poverty is now a distant dream. Tech supremacy China is falling behind in this too. Beijing set out to challenge America, but now it's on the back foot. Chinese tech companies are being banned — left, right and Centre. Huawei was supposed to be the ticket to China’s world dominance on the internet. But Huawei is now being banned. In one country after the other. The United States has led the campaign against Huawei. Key allies — have backed America’s call. Australia and Japan have banned Huawei. New Zealand blocked Huawei from supplying to one company. The United Kingdom — is reviewing its policy. India has opened a new front in this fight — with a ban on 59 Chinese apps. It could follow it up— with a ban on Huawei too. Reports say Indian leaders have discussed it. This won’t just be an economic loss for Beijing. It will also lose the chance to dictate the future of the internet. And finally, Xi Jinping’s dream project The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) now turning into his nightmare the pandemic has turned Belt & Road— into belt and roadblocks. Projects are being cancelled, countries want their loan agreements reviewed. The causalities are growing. In February, Egypt postponed the construction of a power plant. Next month — Bangladesh cancelled plans for a coal plant. Pakistan wants easier repayment terms. They want loans on 30 billion dollars’ worth of power projects reworked. Tanzania has cancelled a 10 billion dollar port project. In Nigeria, lawmakers have voted for a review on all Chinese loans. Africa is the latest headache for Beijing. It has given 145 billion dollars in loans to African countries. Now, most African leaders want Beijing to forgive the debt. When Xi Jinping took power — China was an economic superpower. It had allies on its side it got red—carpet welcomes at global forums. But of all, that seems gone now. China is in the dock, the exporter of a deadly virus. A country that swallows foreign land and betrays allies. A country that violates human rights and targets minorities. Almost all of this — can be traced back to Xi Jinping himself. Xi Jinping's enormous ambition is leading his country to ruin. At this rate, China will be a global pariah. Ruled by a paranoid leader and the communist party. Insecure, power-hungry and imagining threats at every turn.

Xi Jinping's enormous ambition is leading his country to ruin

After the Coronavirus outbreak, a flood of debt relief requests has hit China. Several countries participating in the Belt and Road initiative are looking for complete waivers. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how China is now caught in its own debt trap.

Gravitas: Flood of debt relief requests hits China

Pakistan has ordered the resumption of all Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)&nbsp;-- from infrastructure to energy as the country's economy is struggling.

The IMF has predicted that the Pakistan government&nbsp;is likely to miss all economic targets even as investments are shrinking and the&nbsp;loan waivers are not doing enough.

The country is in deep crisis and the only saviour right now is China, Pakistan's iron-brother and the only country with available capital.

The BRI&nbsp;corridor with its special economic zones provides 'ready framework' for Pakistan to attract this capital.&nbsp;Pakistan had&nbsp;hit the reset button on all BRI&nbsp;projects that hit a roadblock when the first cases were reported. However, the work has resumed and the workers are back.&nbsp;

The process is being called phase 2 of Sino-Pakistani Industrial Cooperation. This so-called 'phase-2' is expected to catalyse industrial take-off and Chinese funds will be used to overcome economic shortcomings.

Reports say&nbsp;phase 2 of Sino-Pakistani Industrial Cooperation will generate&nbsp;500,000 new jobs in the coming months.

What does China get in return?

The answer again is quite simple --&nbsp;Pakistani loyalty and a strategic edge over India.

Pakistan has ordered the resumption of all Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -- from infrastructure to energy as the country's economy is struggling. The IMF has predicted that the Pakistan government is likely to miss all economic targets even as investments are shrinking and the loan waivers are not doing enough.

Pakistan has ordered the resumption of all Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -- from infrastructure to energy as the country's economy is struggling. The IMF has predicted that the Pakistan government is likely to miss all economic targets even as investments are shrinking and the loan waivers are not doing enough. The country is in deep crisis and the only saviour right now is China, Pakistan's iron-brother and the only country with available capital. The BRI corridor with its special economic zones provides 'ready framework' for Pakistan to attract this capital. Pakistan had hit the reset button on all BRI projects that hit a roadblock when the first cases were reported. However, the work has resumed and the workers are back. The process is being called phase 2 of Sino-Pakistani Industrial Cooperation. This so-called 'phase-2' is expected to catalyse industrial take-off and Chinese funds will be used to overcome economic shortcomings. Reports say phase 2 of Sino-Pakistani Industrial Cooperation will generate 500,000 new jobs in the coming months. What does China get in return? The answer again is quite simple -- Pakistani loyalty and a strategic edge over India.

Pakistan orders resumption of China's Belt and Road Initiative amid pandemic

With the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the agenda, Chinese President Xi Jinping will kickstart his visit to Myanmar on Friday.

Xi plans to ink several infrastructural deals on his first foreign trip of the year.

The trip comes on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Myanmar.

On Xi's agenda will be expanding the belt and road initiative to neighbouring Myanmar. This will involve the revival of stalled multi-billion dollar projects. However, a special focus will be on the 'China-Myanmar Economic Corridor'. The corridor, which is yet to materialise, will connect China with the Indian ocean.

Beijing will also seek to increase investment in Myanmar.

However, Chinese projects have sparked fears of environmental damage and displacement.

Xi is likely to discuss the deep-sea port project in Rakhine which was scaled down over fears of a Chinese debt trap.

Similarly, a china-backed dam project was suspended as it would have led to the displacement of tens of thousands of villagers.

Myanmar which is facing international condemnation over accusation of Rohingya genocide is increasingly becoming dependent on China.&nbsp;

China had backed Myanmar in the United Nations over the persecution of the Rohingya minority.

This is the first visit by a Chinese president to Myanmar in nearly 20 years.

In a bid to bolster strategic ties, Xi will be meeting with Myanmar Army Chief Min Aung Hlaing. He will also call upon the country's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

With the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the agenda, Chinese President Xi Jinping will kickstart his visit to Myanmar on Friday. Xi plans to ink several infrastructural deals on his first foreign trip of the year.

With the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the agenda, Chinese President Xi Jinping will kickstart his visit to Myanmar on Friday. Xi plans to ink several infrastructural deals on his first foreign trip of the year. The trip comes on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Myanmar. On Xi's agenda will be expanding the belt and road initiative to neighbouring Myanmar. This will involve the revival of stalled multi-billion dollar projects. However, a special focus will be on the 'China-Myanmar Economic Corridor'. The corridor, which is yet to materialise, will connect China with the Indian ocean. Beijing will also seek to increase investment in Myanmar. However, Chinese projects have sparked fears of environmental damage and displacement. Xi is likely to discuss the deep-sea port project in Rakhine which was scaled down over fears of a Chinese debt trap. Similarly, a china-backed dam project was suspended as it would have led to the displacement of tens of thousands of villagers. Myanmar which is facing international condemnation over accusation of Rohingya genocide is increasingly becoming dependent on China. China had backed Myanmar in the United Nations over the persecution of the Rohingya minority. This is the first visit by a Chinese president to Myanmar in nearly 20 years. In a bid to bolster strategic ties, Xi will be meeting with Myanmar Army Chief Min Aung Hlaing. He will also call upon the country's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

China's President Xi Jinping to visit Myanmar today with BRI on agenda

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Myanmar on January 17 on his first trip to the country since 2009 and is expected to step up investment in the Southeast Asian nation including in the conflict-racked state of Rakhine, a key link in China's Belt and Road initiative.

WION Dispatch: China President Xi Jinping arrives in Myanmar, Belt and Road initiative agenda

The people of Myanmar are eagerly awaiting the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, which will bring relations between the two countries closer under the Belt and Road Initiative. So, China's influence over Myanmar impacts on India?

China's influence over Myanmar impacts on India?

The people of Myanmar are eagerly awaiting the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, which will bring relations between the two countries closer under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi's visit to open a new chapter in China-Myanmar friendly exchanges?

Understanding The Problems & Unintended Consequences Of The Belt & Road Project.

WION Edit: Time to bring BRI under global regulation?

Belt And Road Initiative: A Route To Export Law & Order Problems & Crime.

Gravitas: Is China exporting crime through Belt & Road project?

How China Exports Labour Through The Belt & Road Initiative.

Gravitas: China's biggest export through BRI: Labour

From Italy in Europe to Cambodia in Southeast Asia, the Belt and Road Initiative - the long arm of China - extends everywhere.

China wants everyone on board. It wants an international network of highways and waterways.

But will it accept international regulation? Is it time for BRI to come under an international framework?

As of today, BRI is a zero-sum game. China gains, while the partner countries lose. Six years ago when China proposed the project, the World Bank conducted an independent analysis.&nbsp;

The World Bank stated that&nbsp;for many countries in the BRI net, the cost of infrastructure will outweigh the gains. There are 43 countries in the project right now. Most of them face debt issues. 12 of them have elevated debt levels. And this is just the debt, then there are environmental risks due to carbon emissions.

These countries also face social risks due to labour migration. Today, this project faces opposition both at home and abroad.&nbsp;

In China, it is seen as wasteful spending. When Mahathir Mohamed won the Malaysia election, he cancelled two expensive BRI projects signed by his predecessor. That was China's loss.

China is simply buying influence through indiscriminate lending, it works because China doesn't bother with scruples and scrutiny.

Unlike the IMF and other international lenders that follow rules, China just doles out money - it doesn't ask uncomfortable questions.&nbsp;

BRI member countries have a total population of 4.6 billion that makes 61 per cent of the world population. Their combined GDP stands at 29 trillion dollars. How can this project not attract global regulation and close scrutiny?

Already, there are reports that China is planning to deploy troops in these member countries using ports. Cambodia is the latest example.

China is building an empire through infrastructure projects, and it's not something that the world can sit and watch. It touches human lives across borders, and therefore, it must come under international rules.

The BRI is not just a simple debt trap and is leading to multiple problems. Global regulation is the only way to prevent China from weaponising these projects.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

From Italy in Europe to Cambodia in Southeast Asia, the Belt and Road Initiative - the long arm of China - extends everywhere. China wants everyone on board. It wants an international network of highways and waterways.

From Italy in Europe to Cambodia in Southeast Asia, the Belt and Road Initiative - the long arm of China - extends everywhere. China wants everyone on board. It wants an international network of highways and waterways. But will it accept international regulation? Is it time for BRI to come under an international framework? As of today, BRI is a zero-sum game. China gains, while the partner countries lose. Six years ago when China proposed the project, the World Bank conducted an independent analysis. The World Bank stated that for many countries in the BRI net, the cost of infrastructure will outweigh the gains. There are 43 countries in the project right now. Most of them face debt issues. 12 of them have elevated debt levels. And this is just the debt, then there are environmental risks due to carbon emissions. These countries also face social risks due to labour migration. Today, this project faces opposition both at home and abroad. In China, it is seen as wasteful spending. When Mahathir Mohamed won the Malaysia election, he cancelled two expensive BRI projects signed by his predecessor. That was China's loss. China is simply buying influence through indiscriminate lending, it works because China doesn't bother with scruples and scrutiny. Unlike the IMF and other international lenders that follow rules, China just doles out money - it doesn't ask uncomfortable questions. BRI member countries have a total population of 4.6 billion that makes 61 per cent of the world population. Their combined GDP stands at 29 trillion dollars. How can this project not attract global regulation and close scrutiny? Already, there are reports that China is planning to deploy troops in these member countries using ports. Cambodia is the latest example. China is building an empire through infrastructure projects, and it's not something that the world can sit and watch. It touches human lives across borders, and therefore, it must come under international rules. The BRI is not just a simple debt trap and is leading to multiple problems. Global regulation is the only way to prevent China from weaponising these projects. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Time to bring BRI under global regulation

China has welcomed Sri Lanka's clarification with regard to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/hambantota-ports-security-not-in-foreign-hands-sri-lankan-pm-ranil-wickremesinghe-208642">Hambantota Port </a>agreement.

The Chinese embassy released a statement saying that it appreciates President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s remarks at a meeting with foreign correspondents.&nbsp;

“China is willing to guide relevant enterprises to work with the Sri Lankan side to expedite implementing the established agreement and further promote the prosperity and development of Hambantota Port,” it said.&nbsp;

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had earlier stated that his government will not re-negotiate the existing agreement with China and the commercial agreement.

China in its statement also reiterated it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

PM Mahida Rajapaksa while speaking to China's state media had expressed confidence in Sri Lanka's ability to repay the loans for the Hambantota Port. Mahinda&nbsp;Rajapaksa had also added that Sri Lanka and China will implement big projects like the Hambantota Port and the Colombo Port City.

Reacting to the development, the Chinese embassy added that the security and control of Hambantota Port will entirely be in the hands of the Sri Lankan government and Navy, just like all other ports in the island nation.&nbsp;

The southern sea port was leased to China in 2017 by Sri Lanka for 99 years amid concern over Beijing's efforts to expand influence in the region.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his visit to India had said Sri Lanka wants to work very closely with both India and China.

The Hambantota port was a major Chinese-assisted infrastructure project in the home district of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa which attracted controversy as experts saw it as China's attempt to increase its military might in the Indian Ocean region with fears of Chinese government using it as part of its Belt and Road initiative(BRI).

China has repeatedly dismissed reports of military dimension in the port deal.

Last year a Bloomberg report had said Hambantota is only handling about one ship a day, and when compared to competitors in Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East, it isn't at present a viable operation.

China has welcomed Sri Lanka's clarification with regard to the Hambantota Port agreement. The Chinese embassy released a statement saying that it appreciates President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s remarks at a meeting with foreign correspondents.

China has welcomed Sri Lanka's clarification with regard to the Hambantota Port agreement. The Chinese embassy released a statement saying that it appreciates President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s remarks at a meeting with foreign correspondents. “China is willing to guide relevant enterprises to work with the Sri Lankan side to expedite implementing the established agreement and further promote the prosperity and development of Hambantota Port,” it said. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had earlier stated that his government will not re-negotiate the existing agreement with China and the commercial agreement. China in its statement also reiterated it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. PM Mahida Rajapaksa while speaking to China's state media had expressed confidence in Sri Lanka's ability to repay the loans for the Hambantota Port. Mahinda Rajapaksa had also added that Sri Lanka and China will implement big projects like the Hambantota Port and the Colombo Port City. Reacting to the development, the Chinese embassy added that the security and control of Hambantota Port will entirely be in the hands of the Sri Lankan government and Navy, just like all other ports in the island nation. The southern sea port was leased to China in 2017 by Sri Lanka for 99 years amid concern over Beijing's efforts to expand influence in the region. Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his visit to India had said Sri Lanka wants to work very closely with both India and China. The Hambantota port was a major Chinese-assisted infrastructure project in the home district of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa which attracted controversy as experts saw it as China's attempt to increase its military might in the Indian Ocean region with fears of Chinese government using it as part of its Belt and Road initiative(BRI). China has repeatedly dismissed reports of military dimension in the port deal. Last year a Bloomberg report had said Hambantota is only handling about one ship a day, and when compared to competitors in Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East, it isn't at present a viable operation.

Willing to work with Sri Lanka to promote development of Hambantota Port: China

Desperate for cash, Tajikistan is about to sell yet another vital asset to China at a time that countries like Sri Lanka and the Maldives are demanding renegotiation of debt settlements that either forced them to surrender control of critical infrastructure or left them with unsustainable repayments.

The pending Chinese acquisition of &nbsp;a stake in Tajikistan’s aluminium smelter, coupled with earlier tax concessions to Chinese companies that would substantially reduce the trickle-down effect of investments for the troubled Tajik economy, suggest that China has yet to fully take account of frequent criticism of its commercial approach to Belt and Road-related projects.

The Washington-based Center for Global Development warned last year that “23 of 68 countries benefiting from Belt and Road (BRI) investments were “significantly or highly vulnerable to debt distress.”

The centre said eight countries — Tajikistan, the Maldives, Pakistan, Djibouti, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, and Montenegro — were particularly at risk.

“There is…concern that debt problems will create an unfavourable degree of dependency on China as a creditor. Increasing debt, and China’s role in managing bilateral debt problems has already exacerbated internal and bilateral tensions in some BRI countries,” the report said.

Progress on the construction of a road in Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip in the east of the country that touches the Chinese border and separates Tajikistan from Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, may explain China’s seeming insensitivity to the concerns of beneficiaries of the People’s Republic’s largesse.

The road would link the corridor to Central Asia in the north and Pakistan’s Chinese-built Arabian Sea port of Gwadar in the south, a crown jewel in China’s infrastructure- and energy driven Belt and Road initiative.

To be sure, the road has local rather than geopolitical significance for workers building the road and the region’s shepherds as documented by anthropologists Tobias Marschall and Till Mostowlansky.

The road creates temporary employment for labourers. For shepherds, it facilitates access to mountain pastures.

For China, the stakes are geopolitical and economic.

The road would not only facilitate commerce with Central Asia as well as traffic from Gwadar but also construction of shorter pipelines as well as a fibre optic cable.

Perhaps more importantly, it would together with a military base in Tajikistan and Chinese cross border operations in the corridor itself, facilitate the movement of troops in China’s gradual projection of military power beyond its borders, particularly in regions adjacent to its troubled north-western province of Xinjiang.

The road’s potential military significance raises questions about the sustainability of a presumed division of labour between Russia and China under which Russia shoulders responsibility for security in Central Asia while China concentrates on economic development.

Ironically, if the examples of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistan and Malaysia coupled with anti-Chinese sentiment in Central Asia, fuelled in part by the brutal crackdown on Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, are anything to go by, China’s approach to Belt and Road-related development could turn out to be a threat to its broader geopolitical ambitions and regional security policy.

Sri Lanka recently demanded that China return control of Hambantota port.

Sri Lanka became the poster child of allegations that China was pursuing debt trap diplomacy when it two years ago surrendered to China control of the port as part of a deal to reduce the country’s debt payments.

China lent Sri Lanka US$5 billion between 2010 and 2015 for infrastructure projects that included development of Hambantota at interest rates of up to 6.3 percent.

By comparison, World Bank and Asian Development Bank rates on soft loans range from 0.25 to three percent.

“The perfect circumstance is a return to the norm. We pay back the loan in due course in the way that we had originally agreed without any disturbance at all,” said newly appointed Sri Lankan prime minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

Similarly, the foreign ministry of the Maldives said earlier this month that it was seeking to restructure its Chinese debt.

“Borrowings by the previous government were unreasonable and put us in difficulty. But we can solve this mess through diplomatic means,” said foreign minister Abdulla Shahid.

Last month, former president Abdulla Yameen was jailed for five years and fined US$5 million for corruption during his term that ended late last year. Mr. Shahid’s government has accused China of land grabs during Mr. Yameen’s reign.

In a rare success, Malaysia earlier this year negotiated a one-third reduction in the cost of a $15.7 billion Belt and Road-related rail project. &nbsp;In a further concession, China agreed that 70 per cent of the workforce would be Malaysian and that Malaysian contractors would get 40 per cent&nbsp;of the civil works.

China has repeatedly been accused of employing Chinese rather than local labour for Chinese-funded projects along the Belt and Road and importing materials from China rather than sourcing them locally.

The government of Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has been less successful than its Malaysian counterpart.

It recently bowed to Chinese pressure to revive hundreds of projects initially suspended after it came to office in 2018.

The appointment of a retired lieutenant general as head of a new authority overseeing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that groups Belt and Road-related projects reflected China’s wariness towards messy Pakistani politics and preference for dealing with the country’s military.

With Sri Lanka as the anti-thesis, analysts suggest that China is determined to make Pakistan a success story.

“The big battle at the moment is about CPEC’s reputation, and Beijing cares about salvaging that. They need to show BRI has been a success, that it hasn’t put Pakistan’s economy in trouble and that there isn’t a backlash. If they can’t do it in a context like this, it suggests that there is something flawed in the model,” said Pakistan and China scholar Andrew Small. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Desperate for cash, Tajikistan is about to sell yet another vital asset to China at a time that countries like Sri Lanka and the Maldives are demanding renegotiation of debt settlements that either forced them to surrender control of critical infrastructure or left them with unsustainable repayments.

Desperate for cash, Tajikistan is about to sell yet another vital asset to China at a time that countries like Sri Lanka and the Maldives are demanding renegotiation of debt settlements that either forced them to surrender control of critical infrastructure or left them with unsustainable repayments. The pending Chinese acquisition of a stake in Tajikistan’s aluminium smelter, coupled with earlier tax concessions to Chinese companies that would substantially reduce the trickle-down effect of investments for the troubled Tajik economy, suggest that China has yet to fully take account of frequent criticism of its commercial approach to Belt and Road-related projects. The Washington-based Center for Global Development warned last year that “23 of 68 countries benefiting from Belt and Road (BRI) investments were “significantly or highly vulnerable to debt distress.” The centre said eight countries — Tajikistan, the Maldives, Pakistan, Djibouti, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, and Montenegro — were particularly at risk. “There is…concern that debt problems will create an unfavourable degree of dependency on China as a creditor. Increasing debt, and China’s role in managing bilateral debt problems has already exacerbated internal and bilateral tensions in some BRI countries,” the report said. Progress on the construction of a road in Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip in the east of the country that touches the Chinese border and separates Tajikistan from Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, may explain China’s seeming insensitivity to the concerns of beneficiaries of the People’s Republic’s largesse. The road would link the corridor to Central Asia in the north and Pakistan’s Chinese-built Arabian Sea port of Gwadar in the south, a crown jewel in China’s infrastructure- and energy driven Belt and Road initiative. To be sure, the road has local rather than geopolitical significance for workers building the road and the region’s shepherds as documented by anthropologists Tobias Marschall and Till Mostowlansky. The road creates temporary employment for labourers. For shepherds, it facilitates access to mountain pastures. For China, the stakes are geopolitical and economic. The road would not only facilitate commerce with Central Asia as well as traffic from Gwadar but also construction of shorter pipelines as well as a fibre optic cable. Perhaps more importantly, it would together with a military base in Tajikistan and Chinese cross border operations in the corridor itself, facilitate the movement of troops in China’s gradual projection of military power beyond its borders, particularly in regions adjacent to its troubled north-western province of Xinjiang. The road’s potential military significance raises questions about the sustainability of a presumed division of labour between Russia and China under which Russia shoulders responsibility for security in Central Asia while China concentrates on economic development. Ironically, if the examples of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistan and Malaysia coupled with anti-Chinese sentiment in Central Asia, fuelled in part by the brutal crackdown on Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, are anything to go by, China’s approach to Belt and Road-related development could turn out to be a threat to its broader geopolitical ambitions and regional security policy. Sri Lanka recently demanded that China return control of Hambantota port. Sri Lanka became the poster child of allegations that China was pursuing debt trap diplomacy when it two years ago surrendered to China control of the port as part of a deal to reduce the country’s debt payments. China lent Sri Lanka US$5 billion between 2010 and 2015 for infrastructure projects that included development of Hambantota at interest rates of up to 6.3 percent. By comparison, World Bank and Asian Development Bank rates on soft loans range from 0.25 to three percent. “The perfect circumstance is a return to the norm. We pay back the loan in due course in the way that we had originally agreed without any disturbance at all,” said newly appointed Sri Lankan prime minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal. Similarly, the foreign ministry of the Maldives said earlier this month that it was seeking to restructure its Chinese debt. “Borrowings by the previous government were unreasonable and put us in difficulty. But we can solve this mess through diplomatic means,” said foreign minister Abdulla Shahid. Last month, former president Abdulla Yameen was jailed for five years and fined US$5 million for corruption during his term that ended late last year. Mr. Shahid’s government has accused China of land grabs during Mr. Yameen’s reign. In a rare success, Malaysia earlier this year negotiated a one-third reduction in the cost of a $15.7 billion Belt and Road-related rail project. In a further concession, China agreed that 70 per cent of the workforce would be Malaysian and that Malaysian contractors would get 40 per cent of the civil works. China has repeatedly been accused of employing Chinese rather than local labour for Chinese-funded projects along the Belt and Road and importing materials from China rather than sourcing them locally. The government of Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has been less successful than its Malaysian counterpart. It recently bowed to Chinese pressure to revive hundreds of projects initially suspended after it came to office in 2018. The appointment of a retired lieutenant general as head of a new authority overseeing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that groups Belt and Road-related projects reflected China’s wariness towards messy Pakistani politics and preference for dealing with the country’s military. With Sri Lanka as the anti-thesis, analysts suggest that China is determined to make Pakistan a success story. “The big battle at the moment is about CPEC’s reputation, and Beijing cares about salvaging that. They need to show BRI has been a success, that it hasn’t put Pakistan’s economy in trouble and that there isn’t a backlash. If they can’t do it in a context like this, it suggests that there is something flawed in the model,” said Pakistan and China scholar Andrew Small. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

China struggles to fend off allegations of debt trap diplomacy

Pakistan on Saturday rejected United States'&nbsp;notion of Beijing being the sole benefactor of its China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and asserted that its relations with China within the purview of the project will never fray.

Addressing a press conference two days after US Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, Alice Wells, strongly criticised China's international development projects and lending practices under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Pakistan's newly appointed Minister for Planning Asad Umar said that CPC would not prove to be a burden for the country but help in providing a strong basis for industrial growth for the coming years.

Dawn reported Umar as saying that Pakistan "has always recognised that this (the CPEC) is not an aid" and "this government has always maintained that it wishes to move past the initial scope of the arrangement."

"The aid that Pakistan received in the past did not really contribute in real terms towards the country's progress and she was right to point out that we must stand on our own two feet," Umar said.

"We have said this on many occasions in the past [...] that both countries have benefitted [from CPEC]. Chinese firms got business as their machinery was exported and came to Pakistan. The lack of infrastructure in Pakistan, especially in the power sector, was where a lot of the country's needs were met," he added.

In her address at an event in Washington, Wells had deemed CPEC a form of financing ensuring guaranteed profits for Chinese state-owned enterprises and pointed out that the multi-billion dollar project is certain to take a toll on Pakistan`s economy at the time of the repayment of the debt and dividend in the coming years.

She had raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the project, saying that it could foster corruption and increase the project cost, thereby resulting in an even heavier debt burden for Pakistan.

The CPEC is a multi-billion dollar development project, with a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan`s strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. 
&nbsp;

Pakistan on Saturday rejected United States' notion of Beijing being the sole benefactor of its China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and asserted that its relations with China within the purview of the project will never fray.

Pakistan on Saturday rejected United States' notion of Beijing being the sole benefactor of its China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and asserted that its relations with China within the purview of the project will never fray. Addressing a press conference two days after US Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, Alice Wells, strongly criticised China's international development projects and lending practices under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Pakistan's newly appointed Minister for Planning Asad Umar said that CPC would not prove to be a burden for the country but help in providing a strong basis for industrial growth for the coming years. Dawn reported Umar as saying that Pakistan "has always recognised that this (the CPEC) is not an aid" and "this government has always maintained that it wishes to move past the initial scope of the arrangement." "The aid that Pakistan received in the past did not really contribute in real terms towards the country's progress and she was right to point out that we must stand on our own two feet," Umar said. "We have said this on many occasions in the past [...] that both countries have benefitted [from CPEC]. Chinese firms got business as their machinery was exported and came to Pakistan. The lack of infrastructure in Pakistan, especially in the power sector, was where a lot of the country's needs were met," he added. In her address at an event in Washington, Wells had deemed CPEC a form of financing ensuring guaranteed profits for Chinese state-owned enterprises and pointed out that the multi-billion dollar project is certain to take a toll on Pakistan`s economy at the time of the repayment of the debt and dividend in the coming years. She had raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the project, saying that it could foster corruption and increase the project cost, thereby resulting in an even heavier debt burden for Pakistan. The CPEC is a multi-billion dollar development project, with a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan`s strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea.

CPEC not a burden; relations with China will never fray: Pakistan

How China, Pak arms deal is changing military dynamics in South Asia

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/mass-protests-protect-hong-kongs-legal-autonomy-from-china-for-now-228567">China</a> and Malaysia resumed construction on a massive "Belt and Road" train project in northern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-king-of-malaysia-divorces-ex-miss-moscow-by-triple-talaq-238265">Malaysia</a> on Thursday, after a year-long suspension and following a rare agreement to cut its cost by nearly a third to about $11 billion.

The project was initially cancelled by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who came to power after a shock election victory in May last year, as he followed through a pledge to renegotiate or cancel "unfair" Chinese mega-projects approved by his predecessor, Najib Razak.

But in April, the close trade partners agreed to proceed with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) for 44 billion ringgit ($10.7 billion), reducing it from 65.5 billion ringgit.

The 640 km line (398 miles), with China Communications Construction Co Ltd as the lead contractor, will connect Port Klang on the Straits of Malacca with the city of Kota Bharu in northeast peninsular Malaysia.

The agreement to resume work on the project had immediately boosted confidence in Malaysia among foreign investors, China's ambassador to Malaysia said at a ceremony in the coastal district of Dungun.

Flanked by cranes and trucks parked near a partly completed section of a tunnel, Ambassador Bai Tian spoke of "a great wave" of potential Chinese investors coming to Malaysia for field studies, and he expected many of them to decide to invest.

China is debt-heavy Malaysia's biggest trade partner and the countries have close cultural ties too.

Ambassador Bai said the completion of the ECRL, expected by December 2026, could more than double the number of Chinese tourists coming in to Malaysia from 3 million last year.

Malaysia Rail Link, the project's local partner, said in a statement that up to 70 per cent of the workers will be local and that domestic contractors will get 40 per cent of the civil works.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been praised for its potential to speed up economic development in many developing countries but criticised for potentially saddling many of them with unsustainable debt.

Malaysia's Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng told Reuters on Monday that Beijing had offered them more BRI infrastructure investments and that Kuala Lumpur would consider them "if the pricing is right".

Malaysia is already identifying new joint investment opportunities with China along the ECRL corridor, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said at the Dungun event.

China and Malaysia resumed construction on a massive "Belt and Road" train project in northern Malaysia on Thursday, after a year-long suspension and following a rare agreement to cut its cost by nearly a third to about $11 billion.

China and Malaysia resumed construction on a massive "Belt and Road" train project in northern Malaysia on Thursday, after a year-long suspension and following a rare agreement to cut its cost by nearly a third to about $11 billion. The project was initially cancelled by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who came to power after a shock election victory in May last year, as he followed through a pledge to renegotiate or cancel "unfair" Chinese mega-projects approved by his predecessor, Najib Razak. But in April, the close trade partners agreed to proceed with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) for 44 billion ringgit ($10.7 billion), reducing it from 65.5 billion ringgit. The 640 km line (398 miles), with China Communications Construction Co Ltd as the lead contractor, will connect Port Klang on the Straits of Malacca with the city of Kota Bharu in northeast peninsular Malaysia. The agreement to resume work on the project had immediately boosted confidence in Malaysia among foreign investors, China's ambassador to Malaysia said at a ceremony in the coastal district of Dungun. Flanked by cranes and trucks parked near a partly completed section of a tunnel, Ambassador Bai Tian spoke of "a great wave" of potential Chinese investors coming to Malaysia for field studies, and he expected many of them to decide to invest. China is debt-heavy Malaysia's biggest trade partner and the countries have close cultural ties too. Ambassador Bai said the completion of the ECRL, expected by December 2026, could more than double the number of Chinese tourists coming in to Malaysia from 3 million last year. Malaysia Rail Link, the project's local partner, said in a statement that up to 70 per cent of the workers will be local and that domestic contractors will get 40 per cent of the civil works. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been praised for its potential to speed up economic development in many developing countries but criticised for potentially saddling many of them with unsustainable debt. Malaysia's Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng told Reuters on Monday that Beijing had offered them more BRI infrastructure investments and that Kuala Lumpur would consider them "if the pricing is right". Malaysia is already identifying new joint investment opportunities with China along the ECRL corridor, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said at the Dungun event.

China, Malaysia restart massive 'Belt and Road' project after hiccups

China’s infrastructure and energy-driven $1 trillion Belt and Road initiative involves risky bets across a swath of land populated by often illiberal or autocratic governments exercising power without independent checks and balances.

Seeking to reduce risk, China is bumping up against the limits of its own long-standing foreign and defence policy principles, foremost among which its insistence on non-interference in the domestic affairs of others, the equivalent of the United States' preference for stability rather than political change.

If popular revolts in Algeria and Sudan as well as smaller, issues-oriented protests elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa are anything to go by, China appears to be betting against the odds.

Anti-corruption sentiment fuelled the 2011 popular Arab revolts that toppled the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen and are at the root of current anti-government protests across the globe in countries as far-flung as Brazil, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Russia, Zambia, the Czech Republic, Albania and Romania

China’s risks were evident in the wake of the fall in 2011 of Col. Muammar Gaddafi when the post-revolt Libyan authorities advised China that it would be low on the totem pole as a result of its support of the ancien regime.

The risks are also evident with Baloch militants targeting Chinese assets and personnel in Pakistan.

To minimise the risk and expand its aggressive domestic anti-graft campaign, China’s top anti-corruption body, the Communist party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), is embedding inspectors in Belt and Road projects, who will be based in recipient countries.

The move helps China counter allegations that it exploits corruption in recipient Belt and Road countries to further its objectives.

Anti-corruption is a signature policy of President Xi Jinping and has allowed him to purge senior Chinese leaders as well as tens of thousands of low-level bureaucrats.

The CCDI is building on the success of a pilot project in Laos where it embedded in late 2017 inspectors in a $6 billion railway project being built by state-owned China Railway Group. The anti-graft officials, working with the Chinese company, established a joint inspection team with their Laotian counterpart.

The question is whether the anti-corruption effort in countries like Laos or Central Asian nations that consistently rank in the bottom half of Transparency International’s corruption index will bump up against China’s non-interference principle.

Or in other words, can China successfully guard against corruption in Belt and Road projects without pressuring recipient countries to adopt broader transparency and anti-corruption measures?

“How can you strike hard on corruption here at home and give a free hand to Chinese people and business groups [that are] reckless abroad?” CCDI’s director-general for international co-operation La Yifan asked in a Financial Times interview.

La said China had organised seminars with more than 30 countries to link up anti-corruption regulators. “That is my dream, that we create a network of law enforcement of all these Belt and Road countries,” he said.

Imposing transparency and anti-corruption in Belt and Road partners would be the equivalent of all kinds of environmental, safety and human rights criteria that the United States haphazardly and opportunistically maintains in dealings with foreign countries that have been severely criticized by China.

China has long prided itself on what it terms win-win economic situations in which it imposes commercial terms that often primarily benefit the People’s Republic.

The terms, coupled with the clampdown on Turkic Muslims in China’s province of Xinjiang, has fuelled anti-Chinese sentiment in Turkey and Central Asia with their close ethnic and cultural ties to the troubled Chinese region.

Turkish officials highlighted these sensitivities by denying Chinese media reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had praised the success of Beijing’s brutal approach in Xinjiang during a recent visit to China.

Muslim nations have largely remained silent about the clampdown that amounts to the most frontal assault on faith in recent history or in some instances even tacitly endorsed it.

In the absence of democracy, “Governments can manage their pro-Beijing stance without informing their public, but a pro-Beijing policy over the Uyghur issue can barely be sustained in Turkey. Turkey is still a functioning democracy and total control of the public is not possible. Besides, there is a very strong Uyghur lobby and public sentiment towards the Uyghurs in Turkey,” said Turkish Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies director Selcuk Colakoglu.

Taking its anti-corruption campaign global raises the broader question of whether it would threaten a pillar of autocracy that China’s non-interference principle has de facto sought to perpetuate.

Political scientists Alexander Cooley and John Heathershaw argue that what they call the instruments of global authoritarianism -- an army of largely Western bankers, lawyers, brokers and intermediaries that park illicitly gained monies in off-shore accounts and manage the investment of those funds – help keep autocrats in power.

The success of the globalisation of China’s anti-corruption effort as well as its campaign to significantly reduce graft at home, would establish autocrats’ ability to satisfactorily deliver public goods and services alongside brute power as the cornerstone of their sustainability.

In doing so, it would give greater meaning to China’s assertion that it does not want to fundamentally alter the established multi-lateral world order but rather make it more equitable and more a reflection of a world that is multi- not unipolar.

It would also cement China’s model of economic reform and state capitalism without political liberalisation as the example autocratic and authoritarian regimes want to emulate even if the jury is out on whether autocrats can remain relatively clean without a system of independent checks and balances. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

China’s infrastructure and energy-driven $1 trillion Belt and Road initiative involves risky bets across a swath of land populated by often illiberal or autocratic governments exercising power without independent checks and balances.

China’s infrastructure and energy-driven $1 trillion Belt and Road initiative involves risky bets across a swath of land populated by often illiberal or autocratic governments exercising power without independent checks and balances. Seeking to reduce risk, China is bumping up against the limits of its own long-standing foreign and defence policy principles, foremost among which its insistence on non-interference in the domestic affairs of others, the equivalent of the United States' preference for stability rather than political change. If popular revolts in Algeria and Sudan as well as smaller, issues-oriented protests elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa are anything to go by, China appears to be betting against the odds. Anti-corruption sentiment fuelled the 2011 popular Arab revolts that toppled the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen and are at the root of current anti-government protests across the globe in countries as far-flung as Brazil, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Russia, Zambia, the Czech Republic, Albania and Romania China’s risks were evident in the wake of the fall in 2011 of Col. Muammar Gaddafi when the post-revolt Libyan authorities advised China that it would be low on the totem pole as a result of its support of the ancien regime. The risks are also evident with Baloch militants targeting Chinese assets and personnel in Pakistan. To minimise the risk and expand its aggressive domestic anti-graft campaign, China’s top anti-corruption body, the Communist party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), is embedding inspectors in Belt and Road projects, who will be based in recipient countries. The move helps China counter allegations that it exploits corruption in recipient Belt and Road countries to further its objectives. Anti-corruption is a signature policy of President Xi Jinping and has allowed him to purge senior Chinese leaders as well as tens of thousands of low-level bureaucrats. The CCDI is building on the success of a pilot project in Laos where it embedded in late 2017 inspectors in a $6 billion railway project being built by state-owned China Railway Group. The anti-graft officials, working with the Chinese company, established a joint inspection team with their Laotian counterpart. The question is whether the anti-corruption effort in countries like Laos or Central Asian nations that consistently rank in the bottom half of Transparency International’s corruption index will bump up against China’s non-interference principle. Or in other words, can China successfully guard against corruption in Belt and Road projects without pressuring recipient countries to adopt broader transparency and anti-corruption measures? “How can you strike hard on corruption here at home and give a free hand to Chinese people and business groups [that are] reckless abroad?” CCDI’s director-general for international co-operation La Yifan asked in a Financial Times interview. La said China had organised seminars with more than 30 countries to link up anti-corruption regulators. “That is my dream, that we create a network of law enforcement of all these Belt and Road countries,” he said. Imposing transparency and anti-corruption in Belt and Road partners would be the equivalent of all kinds of environmental, safety and human rights criteria that the United States haphazardly and opportunistically maintains in dealings with foreign countries that have been severely criticized by China. China has long prided itself on what it terms win-win economic situations in which it imposes commercial terms that often primarily benefit the People’s Republic. The terms, coupled with the clampdown on Turkic Muslims in China’s province of Xinjiang, has fuelled anti-Chinese sentiment in Turkey and Central Asia with their close ethnic and cultural ties to the troubled Chinese region. Turkish officials highlighted these sensitivities by denying Chinese media reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had praised the success of Beijing’s brutal approach in Xinjiang during a recent visit to China. Muslim nations have largely remained silent about the clampdown that amounts to the most frontal assault on faith in recent history or in some instances even tacitly endorsed it. In the absence of democracy, “Governments can manage their pro-Beijing stance without informing their public, but a pro-Beijing policy over the Uyghur issue can barely be sustained in Turkey. Turkey is still a functioning democracy and total control of the public is not possible. Besides, there is a very strong Uyghur lobby and public sentiment towards the Uyghurs in Turkey,” said Turkish Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies director Selcuk Colakoglu. Taking its anti-corruption campaign global raises the broader question of whether it would threaten a pillar of autocracy that China’s non-interference principle has de facto sought to perpetuate. Political scientists Alexander Cooley and John Heathershaw argue that what they call the instruments of global authoritarianism -- an army of largely Western bankers, lawyers, brokers and intermediaries that park illicitly gained monies in off-shore accounts and manage the investment of those funds – help keep autocrats in power. The success of the globalisation of China’s anti-corruption effort as well as its campaign to significantly reduce graft at home, would establish autocrats’ ability to satisfactorily deliver public goods and services alongside brute power as the cornerstone of their sustainability. In doing so, it would give greater meaning to China’s assertion that it does not want to fundamentally alter the established multi-lateral world order but rather make it more equitable and more a reflection of a world that is multi- not unipolar. It would also cement China’s model of economic reform and state capitalism without political liberalisation as the example autocratic and authoritarian regimes want to emulate even if the jury is out on whether autocrats can remain relatively clean without a system of independent checks and balances. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Belt and Road project: China expands its anti-corruption campaign

China and Bangladesh agreed to advance their cooperation under the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), following talks between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sheikh-hasina-calls-india-bangladesh-ties-organic-232905">Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina</a> on Thursday.

The two leaders signed various other agreements in the fields of investment, culture, tourism and water conservancy, reported Xinhua news agency

During the talks, Li voiced China's willingness to keep close high-level exchanges with Bangladesh, strengthen strategic mutual trust, boost mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance people-to-people friendship, so as to push for the further development of bilateral relations, reported Xinhua news agency.

The Chinese premier added that the two countries should intensify communication and coordination in international and regional affairs and play a positive role in regional peace, stability and development.

Hasina said that the two countries are committed to peace, stability, mutual benefits, and settlement of disputes by peaceful means. She stressed that her country was willing to beef up the cooperation with China in the fields of trade, investment, service and infrastructure, so as to jointly embrace an even better future.

Hasina, who is on an official visit to China, was accorded a red carpet welcome prior to the talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

&nbsp;

China and Bangladesh agreed to advance their cooperation under the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), following talks between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday.

China and Bangladesh agreed to advance their cooperation under the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), following talks between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday. The two leaders signed various other agreements in the fields of investment, culture, tourism and water conservancy, reported Xinhua news agency During the talks, Li voiced China's willingness to keep close high-level exchanges with Bangladesh, strengthen strategic mutual trust, boost mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance people-to-people friendship, so as to push for the further development of bilateral relations, reported Xinhua news agency. The Chinese premier added that the two countries should intensify communication and coordination in international and regional affairs and play a positive role in regional peace, stability and development. Hasina said that the two countries are committed to peace, stability, mutual benefits, and settlement of disputes by peaceful means. She stressed that her country was willing to beef up the cooperation with China in the fields of trade, investment, service and infrastructure, so as to jointly embrace an even better future. Hasina, who is on an official visit to China, was accorded a red carpet welcome prior to the talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

China, Bangladesh agree to advance Belt and Road Initiative cooperation

India refused to endorse China's flagship connectivity program — the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the Bishkek declaration of the SCO's head of state council mentioning names of only six countries backing it. Watch this video to know more.

Backlash against Belt and Road Initiative

India on Friday refused to endorse China's flagship connectivity programme--Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the Bishkek declaration of SCO's head of state council only mentioning names of six countries backing it.

The declaration said, "The Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, &nbsp;the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan reaffirm their support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative and praise the results of the &nbsp;Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (Beijing, 26 April 2019)."

The six countries also note the ongoing work to implement BRI initiative together, including efforts to align the Eurasian Economic Union projects with those under the Belt and Road initiative.

India has raised concern over BRI since part of it -- China Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) passes through Pakistan&nbsp;occupied Kashmir (PoK). At the SCO summit, Indian PM Modi said connectivity projects should be "transparent", "inclusive" and respect the "territorial integrity" of countries, a message that will not go unnoticed in Beijing.

But the SCO members --India, Pakistan, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan agreed to "expand the practice of using national currencies in transactions" between themselves which will be seen as challenging the dominance of Dollar.

These were convergence on terrorism with the declaration saying "member States, stressing that acts of terrorism and extremism cannot be justified, believe it important to take comprehensive measures to intensify efforts against &nbsp;terrorism and its ideology"

It called for passage of Indian proposal Comprehensive Convention on &nbsp;International Terrorism or CCIT that calls for common definition on terrorism.

Along with India, other SCO members such as Afghanistan strongly raised the issue of terror.&nbsp;

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani highlighted the link between terror and narcotics and said they "threaten both our wellbeing and the security of CSO members and observers."

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said, "Terrorism, in its different types, extremism, unilateralism and interference of extra-regional countries in the affairs of other regions and interference in the internal affairs of other countries have put the international community in a grave situation".&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

India on Friday refused to endorse China's flagship connectivity programme--Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the Bishkek declaration of SCO's head of state council only mentioning names of six countries backing it.

India on Friday refused to endorse China's flagship connectivity programme--Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the Bishkek declaration of SCO's head of state council only mentioning names of six countries backing it. The declaration said, "The Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan reaffirm their support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative and praise the results of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (Beijing, 26 April 2019)." The six countries also note the ongoing work to implement BRI initiative together, including efforts to align the Eurasian Economic Union projects with those under the Belt and Road initiative. India has raised concern over BRI since part of it -- China Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). At the SCO summit, Indian PM Modi said connectivity projects should be "transparent", "inclusive" and respect the "territorial integrity" of countries, a message that will not go unnoticed in Beijing. But the SCO members --India, Pakistan, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan agreed to "expand the practice of using national currencies in transactions" between themselves which will be seen as challenging the dominance of Dollar. These were convergence on terrorism with the declaration saying "member States, stressing that acts of terrorism and extremism cannot be justified, believe it important to take comprehensive measures to intensify efforts against terrorism and its ideology" It called for passage of Indian proposal Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism or CCIT that calls for common definition on terrorism. Along with India, other SCO members such as Afghanistan strongly raised the issue of terror. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani highlighted the link between terror and narcotics and said they "threaten both our wellbeing and the security of CSO members and observers." Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said, "Terrorism, in its different types, extremism, unilateralism and interference of extra-regional countries in the affairs of other regions and interference in the internal affairs of other countries have put the international community in a grave situation".

PM Modi refuses to endorse China's BRI at SCO, says connectivity projects must respect 'territorial integrity'

India's decision to not join <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-says-more-nations-joining-belt-and-road-64-billion-in-deals-signed-at-summit-213907">China's Belt and Road Initiative</a> over sovereignty concerns related to the CPEC has not affected the bilateral trade ties which have seen an "exponential growth", India's Ambassador to China Vikram Misri has said.

India skipped China's 2nd Belt and Road Forum (BRF) held from April 25 to 27 aimed at showcasing its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) over its objection to $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India had also boycotted the first BRF held in 2017. New Delhi's reluctance to join the BRI has become a major irritant in the relations between the two countries.

"We feel that the infrastructure connectivity should be aligned with national priorities and should respect and follow certain well respected or broadly accepted (norms) in the world, which include the elements of transparency openness, level playing field, social, environmental and financial sustainability," Misri said.

"These are the principles we follow in our own initiatives. The most important thing is that (they) must be aligned with national priorities. That is one basket. The other basket is that these initiatives can be sustainable and successful only in so far as they respect issues related to sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said in an interview to China's state-run CGTN.

In an interview to the state-run Global Times in March, Misri signalled India's plans to stay out the conference which was attended by 37 heads of state and governments, including Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Though the latest interview was recorded well ahead of the 2nd BRF meet, parts of it were telecast on May 1, according to a post on the CGTN website.

In the full interview accessed by PTI, Misri said India had its own infrastructure connectivity projects in the neighbourhood and New Delhi's view is that all such projects should be aligned with national priorities.

"With regard to trade and BRI, despite the fact that we are not part of the BRI, there has been no impact on the bilateral trade between India and China. We have seen exponential growth in bilateral trade with China," he said.

"So, we don't necessarily need to look at India-China trade, or indeed the larger economic and commercial relationship through the prism of BRI. I think we can very well progress on that front," Misri said.

The bilateral trade has grown to about $95.5 billion, inching towards the $100 billion mark, a target set by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be achieved by 2020.&nbsp;

Misri said India has had its concerns over the way the BRI has been put out and New Delhi's views are not unknown or a secret.

"These have been made known to the Chinese authorities and we have had conversations with regard to this and I am quite sure that the Chinese authorities understand our position and our point of view," he said.

"I would also say that with the point of view we have had with regard to especially with the issue related to sovereignty and territorial integrity is not a new point of view. It is a very long-held point of view by us. I would imagine that our partners and our neighbours are well aware of our positions," he said.

Misri also pointed to how China-sponsored Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in which India is the second largest shareholder after China, helped financing projects in the region without any problems.

With an authorised capital of $100 billion, China is the largest shareholder with 26.06 per cent voting shares. India is the second largest shareholder in AIIB with 7.5 per cent followed by Russia 5.93 per cent and Germany with 4.5 per cent.

"That just goes to prove my point that the fact we are in AIIB and AIIB is funding a number of countries in the region. Each project is assessed based on certain parameters.

"It follows very high international standards. I think India is probably the largest client of the AIIB, every project is subjected to a study and if it passes those tests they are approved," Misri said.

"We have no problem with it. If we are in agreement about the parameters we would have no objection in going forward with any of the partnership initiatives. But as I said with regard to the BRI there are other elements related to sovereignty and territorial integrity and those issues have not been addressed in the context," he said.

Misri said the last year's Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping was a major gain.

"That is a major gain in our relationship and I think they share a special relationship, they have also provided a compass to the bilateral relationship that helps to guide the officials," he said.

He said both India and China regard their bilateral ties as an important relationship.

"There are large elements of cooperation in this relationship and in a relationship as large as this there will be elements of competition. In the last few years, we have seen elements of cooperation triumphing the elements of competition," he said.

He said both countries have about 36 bilateral forums for official level dialogue on different issues.

"We have today very good understanding in a number of bilateral political forums. We are working very hard to expand the trade and economic relations and people to people relationship which is a very important aspect of it," he said.

India's decision to not join China's Belt and Road Initiative over sovereignty concerns related to the CPEC has not affected the bilateral trade ties which have seen an "exponential growth", India's Ambassador to China Vikram Misri has said.

India's decision to not join China's Belt and Road Initiative over sovereignty concerns related to the CPEC has not affected the bilateral trade ties which have seen an "exponential growth", India's Ambassador to China Vikram Misri has said. India skipped China's 2nd Belt and Road Forum (BRF) held from April 25 to 27 aimed at showcasing its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) over its objection to $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India had also boycotted the first BRF held in 2017. New Delhi's reluctance to join the BRI has become a major irritant in the relations between the two countries. "We feel that the infrastructure connectivity should be aligned with national priorities and should respect and follow certain well respected or broadly accepted (norms) in the world, which include the elements of transparency openness, level playing field, social, environmental and financial sustainability," Misri said. "These are the principles we follow in our own initiatives. The most important thing is that (they) must be aligned with national priorities. That is one basket. The other basket is that these initiatives can be sustainable and successful only in so far as they respect issues related to sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said in an interview to China's state-run CGTN. In an interview to the state-run Global Times in March, Misri signalled India's plans to stay out the conference which was attended by 37 heads of state and governments, including Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Though the latest interview was recorded well ahead of the 2nd BRF meet, parts of it were telecast on May 1, according to a post on the CGTN website. In the full interview accessed by PTI, Misri said India had its own infrastructure connectivity projects in the neighbourhood and New Delhi's view is that all such projects should be aligned with national priorities. "With regard to trade and BRI, despite the fact that we are not part of the BRI, there has been no impact on the bilateral trade between India and China. We have seen exponential growth in bilateral trade with China," he said. "So, we don't necessarily need to look at India-China trade, or indeed the larger economic and commercial relationship through the prism of BRI. I think we can very well progress on that front," Misri said. The bilateral trade has grown to about $95.5 billion, inching towards the $100 billion mark, a target set by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be achieved by 2020. Misri said India has had its concerns over the way the BRI has been put out and New Delhi's views are not unknown or a secret. "These have been made known to the Chinese authorities and we have had conversations with regard to this and I am quite sure that the Chinese authorities understand our position and our point of view," he said. "I would also say that with the point of view we have had with regard to especially with the issue related to sovereignty and territorial integrity is not a new point of view. It is a very long-held point of view by us. I would imagine that our partners and our neighbours are well aware of our positions," he said. Misri also pointed to how China-sponsored Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in which India is the second largest shareholder after China, helped financing projects in the region without any problems. With an authorised capital of $100 billion, China is the largest shareholder with 26.06 per cent voting shares. India is the second largest shareholder in AIIB with 7.5 per cent followed by Russia 5.93 per cent and Germany with 4.5 per cent. "That just goes to prove my point that the fact we are in AIIB and AIIB is funding a number of countries in the region. Each project is assessed based on certain parameters. "It follows very high international standards. I think India is probably the largest client of the AIIB, every project is subjected to a study and if it passes those tests they are approved," Misri said. "We have no problem with it. If we are in agreement about the parameters we would have no objection in going forward with any of the partnership initiatives. But as I said with regard to the BRI there are other elements related to sovereignty and territorial integrity and those issues have not been addressed in the context," he said. Misri said the last year's Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping was a major gain. "That is a major gain in our relationship and I think they share a special relationship, they have also provided a compass to the bilateral relationship that helps to guide the officials," he said. He said both India and China regard their bilateral ties as an important relationship. "There are large elements of cooperation in this relationship and in a relationship as large as this there will be elements of competition. In the last few years, we have seen elements of cooperation triumphing the elements of competition," he said. He said both countries have about 36 bilateral forums for official level dialogue on different issues. "We have today very good understanding in a number of bilateral political forums. We are working very hard to expand the trade and economic relations and people to people relationship which is a very important aspect of it," he said.

Boycott of Belt and Road Initiative not to affect trade ties with China: Indian envoy 

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/china-president-xi-jinping-sends-congratulations-on-inauguration-of-belt-and-road-studies-network-213383&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwic6o-Uv-_hAhXGfn0KHTi7C0sQFjAIegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2uXy34qTnwoBtC52QSo4Dg">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a> urged dozens of world leaders on Saturday to reject protectionism and invited more countries to participate in his global infrastructure project after seeking to ease concerns surrounding the programme.

Addressing 37 leaders from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, Xi made a new pitch for his cherished<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-president-xi-defends-belt-and-road-says-not-exclusive-club-213575&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwic6o-Uv-_hAhXGfn0KHTi7C0sQFjAJegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XNKVrmHouJAvlZikr8Vv_"> Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) </a>as he kicked off the last day of a three-day forum.

The world's number two economy has been fighting a festering trade war with the United States for months, and Xi has long sought to take the mantle of the new world power open to multilateral cooperation and globalisation.

"We need to build an open world economy and reject protectionism," Xi told leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Pakistan's Imran Khan seated around a large round table at the idyllic Yanqi Lake retreat at the edge of Beijing.

A draft communique for the forum seen by AFP similarly pledges to "reject protectionism" and "unilateralism" in an oblique swipe at President Donald Trump's "America first" presidency. US officials were not sent to the summit.

Xi's signature foreign policy aims to reinvent the ancient Silk Road to connect Asia to Europe and Africa through massive investments in maritime, road and rail projects -- with hundreds of billions of dollars in financing from Chinese banks.

"We need to encourage the full participation of more countries and companies, thus expanding the pie of common interests," Xi said.&nbsp;

But critics say BRI is a plan to boost Beijing's global influence, riddled with opaque deals favouring Chinese companies and saddling nations with debt and environmental damage.

The United States, India and some European nations have looked at the project with suspicion.

Rising resistance&nbsp;

So far Chinese companies and workers have emerged as the primary beneficiaries as they are tapped to build the China-financed infrastructure in other developing countries.

BRI projects have faced pushback in some countries. In Malaysia, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad cancelled some planned works and renegotiated a rail project cutting 30 per cent off the price tag.

But Mohamad and other leaders attending the summit had fulsome praise for BRI.

The draft communique says BRI will welcome developed countries and international investors to participate in the projects.

Xi batted away some concerns at the opening ceremony Friday, saying the BRI will have "zero tolerance" for corruption while vowing to ensure the financial sustainability of projects and further open China's economy.

"Faced with this rising resistance for the past year and a half and this debt image ... China is trying to reposition (BRI) and send a reassuring message," said Nadege Rolland, a senior fellow at the National Bureau of Asian Research, a US-based think tank.

But "let's see how it is put into practice," she said.

China's finance ministry released guidelines Thursday for assessing financial risk and debt sustainability to apply to projects in BRI countries.

But the document notes that countries already facing payment problems or in the process of restructuring payments "does not automatically mean that debt is unsustainable in a forward-looking sense."

During a state banquet Friday night, Xi called on attending world leaders to band together in the face of setbacks.

"Certainly, while building the Belt and Road Initiative, we will face difficulties and there will be twists and turns," he said.

"No matter a smooth or challenging way, we need to continue the spirit of partnership, not forget our initial intention of cooperation and move forward unwaveringly," he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged dozens of world leaders on Saturday to reject protectionism and invited more countries to participate in his global infrastructure project after seeking to ease concerns surrounding the programme.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged dozens of world leaders on Saturday to reject protectionism and invited more countries to participate in his global infrastructure project after seeking to ease concerns surrounding the programme. Addressing 37 leaders from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, Xi made a new pitch for his cherished Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as he kicked off the last day of a three-day forum. The world's number two economy has been fighting a festering trade war with the United States for months, and Xi has long sought to take the mantle of the new world power open to multilateral cooperation and globalisation. "We need to build an open world economy and reject protectionism," Xi told leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Pakistan's Imran Khan seated around a large round table at the idyllic Yanqi Lake retreat at the edge of Beijing. A draft communique for the forum seen by AFP similarly pledges to "reject protectionism" and "unilateralism" in an oblique swipe at President Donald Trump's "America first" presidency. US officials were not sent to the summit. Xi's signature foreign policy aims to reinvent the ancient Silk Road to connect Asia to Europe and Africa through massive investments in maritime, road and rail projects -- with hundreds of billions of dollars in financing from Chinese banks. "We need to encourage the full participation of more countries and companies, thus expanding the pie of common interests," Xi said. But critics say BRI is a plan to boost Beijing's global influence, riddled with opaque deals favouring Chinese companies and saddling nations with debt and environmental damage. The United States, India and some European nations have looked at the project with suspicion. Rising resistance So far Chinese companies and workers have emerged as the primary beneficiaries as they are tapped to build the China-financed infrastructure in other developing countries. BRI projects have faced pushback in some countries. In Malaysia, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad cancelled some planned works and renegotiated a rail project cutting 30 per cent off the price tag. But Mohamad and other leaders attending the summit had fulsome praise for BRI. The draft communique says BRI will welcome developed countries and international investors to participate in the projects. Xi batted away some concerns at the opening ceremony Friday, saying the BRI will have "zero tolerance" for corruption while vowing to ensure the financial sustainability of projects and further open China's economy. "Faced with this rising resistance for the past year and a half and this debt image ... China is trying to reposition (BRI) and send a reassuring message," said Nadege Rolland, a senior fellow at the National Bureau of Asian Research, a US-based think tank. But "let's see how it is put into practice," she said. China's finance ministry released guidelines Thursday for assessing financial risk and debt sustainability to apply to projects in BRI countries. But the document notes that countries already facing payment problems or in the process of restructuring payments "does not automatically mean that debt is unsustainable in a forward-looking sense." During a state banquet Friday night, Xi called on attending world leaders to band together in the face of setbacks. "Certainly, while building the Belt and Road Initiative, we will face difficulties and there will be twists and turns," he said. "No matter a smooth or challenging way, we need to continue the spirit of partnership, not forget our initial intention of cooperation and move forward unwaveringly," he said.

China's Xi says to reject protectionism, open up Belt and Road

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-president-xi-defends-belt-and-road-says-not-exclusive-club-213575">Chinese President Xi defends Belt and Road, says 'not exclusive club'</a>

Chinese President Xi Jinping sought Friday to ease growing concerns about his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, vowing to prevent debt risks and saying his global infrastructure project "is not an exclusive club".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macrons-main-measures-in-response-to-yellow-vest-protests-213552">French President Macron outlines response including tax cuts to months of 'yellow vest' protests</a>

At the first major news conference on domestic policy of his presidency, Emmanuel Macron pledged to cut taxes on Thursday and said the French would have to work longer as he outlined his response to months of anti-government protests that have shaken his authority.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-referendum-firms-up-sisi-rule-as-regional-unrest-flares-213558">Egypt referendum firms up Sisi rule as regional unrest flares&nbsp;</a>

As mass protests rock other Arab countries, a snap referendum in Egypt has gone against the grain and cemented President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rule for years to come.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyclone-kenneth-hits-mozambique-after-lashing-comoros-213569">Cyclone Kenneth hits Mozambique after lashing Comoros</a>

Cyclone Kenneth battered northern Mozambique on Thursday with gusts of up to 280 km per hour (174 miles per hour) after killing three people on the island nation of Comoros overnight.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-pm-modi-to-file-his-nomination-from-varanasi-parliamentary-seat-today-213557">Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi to file nomination from Varanasi today</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Varanasi on Friday.

All senior leaders of the BJP, NDA and North East Democratic Alliance are expected to be present in the city to mark the occasion. For today, the Prime Minister is expected to begin his schedule with prayers at the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Chinese President Xi defends Belt and Road, says 'not exclusive club' Chinese President Xi Jinping sought Friday to ease growing concerns about his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, vowing to prevent debt risks and saying his global infrastructure project "is not an exclusive club".

Chinese President Xi defends Belt and Road, says 'not exclusive club' Chinese President Xi Jinping sought Friday to ease growing concerns about his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, vowing to prevent debt risks and saying his global infrastructure project "is not an exclusive club". French President Macron outlines response including tax cuts to months of 'yellow vest' protests At the first major news conference on domestic policy of his presidency, Emmanuel Macron pledged to cut taxes on Thursday and said the French would have to work longer as he outlined his response to months of anti-government protests that have shaken his authority. Egypt referendum firms up Sisi rule as regional unrest flares As mass protests rock other Arab countries, a snap referendum in Egypt has gone against the grain and cemented President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rule for years to come. Cyclone Kenneth hits Mozambique after lashing Comoros Cyclone Kenneth battered northern Mozambique on Thursday with gusts of up to 280 km per hour (174 miles per hour) after killing three people on the island nation of Comoros overnight. Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi to file nomination from Varanasi today Prime Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Varanasi on Friday. All senior leaders of the BJP, NDA and North East Democratic Alliance are expected to be present in the city to mark the occasion. For today, the Prime Minister is expected to begin his schedule with prayers at the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

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