As the growth in China slows to a two-decade low, infrastructure development providers like cement and steel companies find the need to look beyond the borders of the country to Central Asia, Africa, and Russia. According to an article titled-'Russia and China in the age of grand Eurasian projects'-published on the Cambridge Journal of Eurasian Studies, 'The Belt and Road initiative makes this possible, since most projects associated with the initiative will be completed with China’s own contractors, labour power, and equipment.'. Image by Per-Anders Pettersson/ Getty Images
China’s most prolific research areas are engineering followed by materials science and medicine. With a multi-discipline approach that includes engineering, design, and applied sciences, higher education in China has been voted as one of the best among the Asian countries. China has over 150 public and private-owned universities distributed over most of its provinces. Image by Aly Song/ Reuters
Another important motivation behind the Belt and Road Initiative is to encourage economic development in China’s Xinjiang autonomous region, thus tackling the major problems of its Western provinces, including separatism, radical Islamism and terrorism, ethnic conflict, and underdevelopment. The government mapped its plans in 2015, aiming to make good use of Xinjiang’s geographical advantages, to make it a key hub in transportation, trade, logistics, culture, science, and education. Image by Thomas Peter/ Reuters
But President Xi’s vision isn't only about putting a physical infrastructure in place. Beneath the blueprint to create a contiguous land and maritime zone is China’s response to the more exclusive mega-economic blocks such as the ones led by US, in the current climate of protectionist backlash. It is a long-term project to secure China’s geo-strategic realm with obvious political and security implications. In his speech to the BRI forum in Beijing on 15 May, President Xi linked the initiative to China’s foreign policy goals of win–win and common development, believing that it would ‘generate strong momentum for building a human community of shared future’. Image by WU HONG/ Reuters
It will be an economic game-changer for Bangladesh when completed. China Railway Construction Corporation is building a 215 km Padma rail link project from Dhaka to Jessore, including the 6.5 km Padma multipurpose road-rail bridge at a cost of $3.15 billion. Mainly funded by a soft loan from China, the project includes the construction of 66 major bridges, 224 minor bridges, 14 new stations and procurement of 100 passenger coaches. Not only will it link 21 southern districts of Bangladesh with the interior of the country, it is also expected to add 1.2 percent to the country’s GDP. Besides the six bridges built with Chinese assistance, Beijing is also giving financial support for a number of mega-infrastructure projects like the Barakpuria coal mine and coal-based electricity generation, the Shah Jalal fertiliser factory, and upgrading mobile networks for the introduction of 3G technology. Image by Padma Road Rail Bridge
For many Kenyans seen at this newly-constructed Nairobi terminal, it is a historic moment. The just-inaugurated Standard Gauge Railway from the port city of Mombasa to capital Nairobi is its biggest infrastructure project since Kenya’s independence. Built by China at a cost of $3.2 billion in two and half years, it was mostly funded by China’s Exim Bank. The railway is a part of a master plan by East African leaders to connect their nations by rail. The line is eventually expected to connect Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Ethiopia to Mombasa so the Indian Ocean port can act as a gateway to East Africa for trade with China and other nations. Image by Thomas Mukoya/ Reuters
China is calling its military base in Djibouti an overseas logistics base. The location is a very strategic one: Djibouti, on the coast of Africa, at the mouth of the Red Sea, looking across at the Arabian Peninsula. Analysts say it may be China’s first major overseas military base. Seen here, a ceremony held before ships carrying Chinese military personnel depart for Djibouti. Image by VCG/ VCG via Getty Images
Hambantota Port: The latest news is that Sri Lanka wants to reduce China’s stake in the Hambantota port deal. The debt-laden but strategically located port was built at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion amidst other commitments, including the development of a 15,000 acre industrial zone and an airport to rebuild the island nation's infrastructure after a quarter century of war. To thwart increasing opposition, Sri Lanka is hoping that the Chinese firm that holds 80 percent stake will agree to divesting up to 20 percent to a Sri Lankan firm after 10 years. A situation far removed from this scene of Sri Lankan traditional dancers performing at the launch of Hambantota port in 2010. Image by Dinuka Liyanawatte/ Reuters
For the last several years, Kathmandu has faced up to 16 hours of power outage every day. Nepal has immense water resources but had lacked the know-how of harnessing hydropower. But the major deal with Chinese company China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) to develop a 1,200 MW Budhigandaki hydroelectric project will change that. The biggest hydro project, funded by loans from Chinese financial institutions in the landlocked country, could resolve its perennial power crisis and lay the groundwork to establish Nepal as an electricity exporter. CGGC is currently building 30 MW Chameliya Hydropower Project in the far-west and 60 MW Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project in the central region of Nepal. Another joint venture, the $150 million Upper Marsyangdi-A Hydroelectric Project in Central Nepal started generating power in September 2016. Image by Kuni Takahashi/ Getty Images
Villagers in northern Laos recall the arrival of Chinese investors a few years ago. The investors offered them good money to rent their untilled land and wanted to grow bananas on it. In impoverished Laos, the offer was generous. Three years later, the Chinese-driven banana boom has brought jobs and high wages, but pesticides and polluted water sources have left the locals with mixed feelings. Image by Jorge Silva/ Reuters
