$1 trillion 'project of the century' faces uncertain future
ECONOMY & POLICY

$1 trillion 'project of the century' faces uncertain future

When President Xi Jinping introduced his vision for expanding Chinese soft power through an extensive network of infrastructure investments in 2017, he proudly touted the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as the "project of the century." However, as the Chinese leader convenes the third Belt and Road Forum this week, the future of this ambitious undertaking appears to be clouded with uncertainty.

While the BRI has managed to attract an estimated $1 trillion in funding during its first decade, as reported by the Green Finance & Development Center, the momentum behind the project has significantly waned in recent years. China's overall engagement with BRI countries has seen a notable 40% decline from its peak in 2018, reflecting the economic slowdown of the world's second-largest economy.

Moreover, Beijing has been contending with allegations of irresponsible lending practices that have driven some countries to the brink of default. To complicate matters further, strained relations with the United States have rendered affiliations with President Xi's flagship project increasingly divisive. Italy, the sole Group of Seven member participating in the BRI, is poised to exit this partnership by the end of the year.

As the Belt and Road Initiative faces these headwinds, the international community closely watches its future trajectory and its potential impact on global infrastructure development and economic relations. The shifting landscape raises questions about the project's resilience and adaptability in the face of emerging challenges.

When President Xi Jinping introduced his vision for expanding Chinese soft power through an extensive network of infrastructure investments in 2017, he proudly touted the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as the project of the century. However, as the Chinese leader convenes the third Belt and Road Forum this week, the future of this ambitious undertaking appears to be clouded with uncertainty. While the BRI has managed to attract an estimated $1 trillion in funding during its first decade, as reported by the Green Finance & Development Center, the momentum behind the project has significantly waned in recent years. China's overall engagement with BRI countries has seen a notable 40% decline from its peak in 2018, reflecting the economic slowdown of the world's second-largest economy. Moreover, Beijing has been contending with allegations of irresponsible lending practices that have driven some countries to the brink of default. To complicate matters further, strained relations with the United States have rendered affiliations with President Xi's flagship project increasingly divisive. Italy, the sole Group of Seven member participating in the BRI, is poised to exit this partnership by the end of the year. As the Belt and Road Initiative faces these headwinds, the international community closely watches its future trajectory and its potential impact on global infrastructure development and economic relations. The shifting landscape raises questions about the project's resilience and adaptability in the face of emerging challenges.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Reliance, Diehl Advance Pact for Precision-Guided Munitions

Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch and Reliance Group’s Founder Chairman Anil D. Ambani have held discussions to advance their ongoing strategic partnership focused on Guided and Terminally Guided Munitions (TGM), under a cooperation agreement originally signed in 2019.This collaboration underscores Diehl Defence’s long-term commitment to the Indian market and its support for the Indian Government’s Make in India initiative. The partnership’s current emphasis is on the urgent supply of the Vulcano 155mm Precision Guided Munition system to the Indian Armed Forces.Simultaneously, the “Vulc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Modis Navnirman to Migrate to Main Board, Merge Subsidiary

Modis Navnirman Limited has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a key strategic initiative involving migration from the BSE SME platform to the Main Board of both BSE and NSE, alongside a merger with its wholly owned subsidiary, Shree Modis Navnirman Private Limited.The move to the main boards marks a major milestone in the company’s growth trajectory, reflecting its consistent financial performance, robust corporate governance, and long-term commitment to value creation. This transition will grant the company access to a broader investor base, improve market participation, en..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Global Capital Flows Remain Subdued, EMEA Leads in Q1 2025

The Bharat InvITs Association’s industry update for Q1 2025 shows subdued global capital flows, with investment volumes remaining at the lower end of the five-year range despite a late 2024 recovery. According to data from Colliers and MSCI Real Capital Analytics, activity in North America declined slightly, while EMEA maintained steady levels and emerged as the top region for investment in standing assets.The EMEA region now hosts seven of the top ten cross-border capital destinations for standing assets, pushing the United States’ share of global activity below 15 per cent. Meanwhile, in..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?