The Lotus Tower in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is set to be completed later this year under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Sri Lanka has denied all claims that it is a victim of debt-trap diplomacy. Ironically, China could turn out to be the biggest debt trap victim of all. Photo: Xinhua The Lotus Tower in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is set to be completed later this year under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Sri Lanka has denied all claims that it is a victim of debt-trap diplomacy. Ironically, China could turn out to be the biggest debt trap victim of all. Photo: Xinhua
The Lotus Tower in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is set to be completed later this year under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Sri Lanka has denied all claims that it is a victim of debt-trap diplomacy. Ironically, China could turn out to be the biggest debt trap victim of all. Photo: Xinhua
Yasheng Huang
Opinion

Opinion

Yasheng Huang

With its belt and road projects, China risks falling into the biggest debt trap of all

  • Partner countries have started to seek to renegotiate terms after projects start, meaning China may have to offer more concessions, even as instability threatens the projects. Beijing could end up becoming hostage to the massive loans it is giving out

Yasheng Huang
Yasheng Huang

Updated: 3:00pm, 24 May, 2019

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The Lotus Tower in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is set to be completed later this year under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Sri Lanka has denied all claims that it is a victim of debt-trap diplomacy. Ironically, China could turn out to be the biggest debt trap victim of all. Photo: Xinhua The Lotus Tower in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is set to be completed later this year under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Sri Lanka has denied all claims that it is a victim of debt-trap diplomacy. Ironically, China could turn out to be the biggest debt trap victim of all. Photo: Xinhua
The Lotus Tower in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is set to be completed later this year under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Sri Lanka has denied all claims that it is a victim of debt-trap diplomacy. Ironically, China could turn out to be the biggest debt trap victim of all. Photo: Xinhua
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Yasheng Huang

Yasheng Huang

Yasheng Huang is international programme professor in Chinese economy and business, and professor of global economics and management at the MIT Sloan School of Management.