Belt and Road Forum: China tipped to counter critics with showcase projects
- Beijing might highlight successful schemes in response to claims that the grand plan is ill-defined, observers say
China is expected to showcase projects that it thinks can set the standard for its flagship “Belt and Road Initiative” and crack down on exploitation of the name as dozens of heads of state converge on Beijing this week to discuss the controversial grand infrastructure plan.
Since its launch by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the strategy has attracted criticism abroad for what some see as an attempt by Beijing to expand its influence by drawing countries into its economic and political orbit. Critics also say that some of the projects are “debt traps” and that the drive as a whole lacks transparency in both intention and financing.
On the eve of the three-day Belt and Road Forum, which starts on Thursday, a report compiled by the forum’s advisory council, a group of economists and former politicians with close ties to the Chinese government, highlighted ways Beijing could institutionalise the initiative, making it more like other international platforms.
The report identified areas to improve and “better brand” the initiative, and ways to expand financing sources for projects under the belt and road umbrella, including from international financing agencies.
But diplomatic observers said that one of the urgent tasks was to lay out a clear definition of the initiative by first restricting the use of the name.
Since the initiative was launched, Chinese companies and local governments have been keen associate their projects the strategy, even if the projects have no link to infrastructure or international cooperation.