A Decade of China’s Belt and Road Initiative

As the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) celebrates its 10th anniversary, concerns are rising about the true benefits of China’s infrastructure program.

The BRI has left many participating countries burdened with extreme public debt, leading to bankruptcy and default. China’s lending practises, which often involve commercial rates and hidden debts, have contributed to this situation.

Key Takeaways

• The BRI has been described as the largest and most ambitious international cooperation initiative in history, with an estimated investment of over $1 trillion and involving more than 140 countries.
• Thailand’s approach was, from the start, very different from that of other countries directly associated with the BRI, relying essentially on internal financing through fundraising.

• The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has led to unsustainable levels of debt for participating countries, resulting…