Belt & Road Initiative

Belt = road | Road = Sea

What is it

Development of connectivity across Asia, Europe and Africa

Investment in travel and infrastructure, promoting development

Designed to improve connectivity and foster economic growth.

Divided into two:

1. "Silk Road economic belt" - china to Europe, Asia and Russia (over land)

2. "maritime Silk Road" - china to asia and africa (over the sea)

When did it begin

2013

How many countries have signed agreements to participate

140

Funding?

Primarily funded by Chinese state-owned enterprises and financial institutions such as the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China.

This could cause instability between countries

How much will be invested into it by 2049

$4 trillion

How many BRI projects have happened in 2021

2,000

How many jobs is BRI expected to create

2.6 mill

How much will it increase trade

12%

What are the concerns of it

Developing countries do not have regulations on environment - this may be exploited

Countries participating may be unable to pay back debt for it ‘debt-trap diplomacy’