Belt and Road Initiative

People walk past a decorative installation for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on Sunday in Beijing.

World News

As China's Belt and Road project turns 10, it's about more than just development

11:50am October 17, 2023

by John Ruwitch

China's global infrastructure initiative has always been controversial. As Xi Jinping's signature project turns 10, leaders and representatives of 130 countries are in Beijing to mark the anniversary.

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An unfinished bus terminal that will be joined with the East Coast Rail Link in Malaysia.

World News

Malaysia's a big draw for China's Belt and Road plans. Finishing them is another story

11:24pm July 26, 2023

by Emily Feng

The Malaysian East Coast Rail Link is a successful feat so far compared to some other Chinese investments in the country — even if it has blown past deadlines and budgets.

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China's New Silk Road project is lending out billions to countries in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa to build and upgrade railways, ports, pipelines, power grids and highways. Above: A Kenya Railways train pulls shipping containers as it departs from the Mombasa port station.

China lends billions to poor countries. Is that a burden ... or a blessing?

6:34pm December 06, 2022

by Andrew Connelly

China doles out much cash for infrastructure. It must be repaid. Is that frustrating for recipients? A new survey has a surprising answer. But skeptics wonder: How honest were the participants?

People welcoming China's ship Yuan Wang 5 wave Chinese and Sri Lankan flags at Sri Lanka's Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka, Aug. 16.

Why a Chinese ship's arrival in Sri Lanka has caused alarm in India and the West

11:01am August 19, 2022

by Lauren Frayer

A Chinese survey ship docked this week at the Hambantota port, built with Chinese loans. Some worry the ship's arrival may signal the start of militarization of Chinese infrastructure in Sri Lanka.

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Last year, President Biden announced "Build Back Better World," meant to compete with China's Belt and Road Initiative. This year at the G-7, Biden will unveil the first projects.

Biden said the G-7 would counter Chinese influence. This year, he'll try again

3:42pm June 24, 2022

by Tamara Keith

At the last G-7, President Biden announced a plan for the West to counter China's influence in low- and middle-income countries. But not much has happened since. This year, there's a relaunch.

A train is ready on the station during the handover ceremony of the high-speed rail project in Vientiane, Laos, connecting the city with Kunming, China, on Dec. 3, 2021.

With U.S. focused on defense, China's trade and infrastructure sweep Southeast Asia

7:43am January 20, 2022

by Julie McCarthy

The Biden administration hopes to make deeper inroads in Southeast Asia but lags far behind China, which has already built up major trade ties, as well as roads and a high-speed rail.

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President Biden meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the G-7 summit. A White House official said Biden did a lot of "diplomatic speed-dating" with world leaders.

Biden Pushes G-7 Allies To Take A Tougher Stance On China

2:59pm June 13, 2021

by Franco Ordoñez

President Biden has said China poses one of the biggest strategic challenges to the United States. At the G-7, he convinced key allies to help push back against Beijing.

World News

Life Along Pakistan's Mountain Highway Where China Is Investing Billions Of Dollars

3:27pm December 14, 2019

The Karakoram Highway revamp is a key part of China's trade and infrastructure initiative in the region, and local communities' expectations are high.

China has built a massive international shipping port a few miles from the old fishing port of Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

World News

In Sri Lanka, China's Building Spree Is Raising Questions About Sovereignty

10:02am December 13, 2019

by Lauren Frayer

A Chinese state-owned operator took control of a port on a 99-year lease after Sri Lanka defaulted on its loans. An adviser to Sri Lanka's president said the government wants China to "give it back."

A Chinese-backed power plant under construction in 2018 in the desert in the Tharparkar district of Pakistan's southern Sindh province.

Why Is China Placing A Global Bet On Coal?

7:01pm April 29, 2019

China has taken dramatic steps to fight climate change, including shutting major coal power plants. But now it plans to build hundreds of coal plants abroad.

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