September 2013
In 2013, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a long-term strategy to expand infrastructure, trade, and connectivity across Eurasia, Africa, and beyond.
Background
Announced through speeches in Central Asia and Southeast Asia, the initiative combined
overland economic corridors with maritime routes. It aimed to channel surplus capital,
secure supply chains, and deepen economic ties through large-scale infrastructure
financing and construction. The scope and governance of projects varied widely across
regions.
Legacy
– Expanded China’s overseas infrastructure footprint
– Reshaped development financing across multiple regions
– Generated geopolitical influence alongside financial and governance risks