The Belt and Road Initiative, launched by China in 2013, is a transformative foreign policy project aimed at enhancing China’s global influence through trade routes reminiscent of the Silk Road. While it has received mixed responses, particularly from Western nations, it offers countries alternatives to Western hegemony, promoting economic development but also raising geopolitical tensions, especially with rival powers like India and Russia.
The Chatham House meeting, chaired by Annette Bohr, features authors Edward Lemon and Bradley Jardine discussing their book on China’s influence in Central Asia. The conversation encompasses China’s role, historical ties, regional nationalism, and the impact of protests. The complexities of relationships with Russia, the US, and other nations are highlighted, alongside issues of human rights and regional stability.
View More Chatham House: China’s Struggle for Influence in Central Asia. How is Beijing aiming to reshape the region?