How infrastructure diplomacy shapes China’s global influence

China has been investing heavily in infrastructure projects across the world, especially in developing countries. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, is a massive plan to connect Asia, Europe and Africa through a network of roads, railways, ports, pipelines and other infrastructure.

• Infrastructure diplomacy is China’s strategy of building or financing infrastructure projects in other countries
• China uses this strategy to gain economic, political and strategic benefits from its partners
• China’s influence is enhanced by creating dependencies, expanding markets, securing resources and promoting its image

China claims that the BRI is a win-win cooperation that will promote economic development, regional integration and mutual benefit for all participating countries.

China’s aid approach differs from Western countries. China uses terms like ‘development…