The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global development strategy promoted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 to promote infrastructure development and investment in more than 150 countries and international organizations in various regions of the world. The term "Belt" refers to land routes such as highways and railways, while "Road" refers to sea routes, both inspired by the ancient Silk Road.
The name and scope of the strategy reflect China’s efforts to revive the spirit of the ancient Silk Road trade route. It also shows the East Asian giant's ambition to play a more prominent role in the current global order.
Within the BRI framework, China considers ASEAN as a strategic region because some of its members are crossed by the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR), a key sea route in the initiative. In addition, ASEAN is also connected to the China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor, which strengthens its regional role in the BRI project.
From the perspective of ASEAN and its member countries, the BRI is seen as a promising opportunity to strengthen regional connectivity through infrastructure development that supports increased trade and investment. Therefore, they are willing to cooperate with China in developing various infrastructure projects collaboratively.
ASEAN, China, and the Dynamics Formed by the BRI
Map of the Belt and Road Initiative, including Southeast Asia | kumparan/Muhammad Ishmarakan
China positions itself as a friendly development partner by promoting the concept of "common destiny". The Chinese government emphasizes the importance of building harmonious cooperation with the surrounding region. As part of this approach, they are pushing for alignment between the BRI and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025.
Collectively, ASEAN expects the BRI to play a complementary and supportive role to their multilateral and regional projects, particularly in enhancing connectivity and implementing the shared priorities outlined in MPAC 2025 and the BRI. However, the BRI is still seen as having the potential to pose challenges for ASEAN and its individual member states.
One of ASEAN's main concerns, both collectively and individually, is that China's frequent bilateral approach within the BRI framework could undermine ASEAN's centrality and unity. This approach is considered to be at risk of weakening the form of regionalism that has been led by ASEAN and is feared to shift towards a China-centered regionalism model.
In addition, the trade imbalance that increasingly favors China has also fueled ASEAN's concerns about China's growing strategic influence. There is a growing view in the region and within ASEAN that the imbalanced economic dependence could be exploited by China to turn its economic dominance into a tool of political influence for its strategic interests.
The BRI's Implementation in Laos and Its Compatibility with the Identity Highlighted by China
Laos-China railway at the Vientiane railway station | Wikimedia Commons/Dominik Landwehr
The China-Laos Railway is considered one of the key projects in the BRI initiative, connecting the Lao capital Vientiane with the border town of Boten to China along a 417-kilometer line. Construction of the railway began in 2016 and was completed by the end of 2021.
The China-Laos Railway is designed to carry passengers at speeds of up to 160 km/h and cargo at up to 120 km/h, across a region that previously lacked adequate railway infrastructure. Winding through 72 tunnels and crossing 170 bridges, the “steel silk road” aims to connect Kunming with Singapore and is expected to bring about major changes not only to the physical landscape of Laos, but also to its social and economic conditions.
One of the main problems that emerged from this project is the lack of long-term planning that could provide sustainable benefits for Laos. This project was seen as only making Laos a "pass-through country", not a partner country directly connected to the mainland.
Laos’ role in the project, as planned, is merely a conduit for China’s larger external vision of regional economic integration, which is now accelerating. Major cities such as Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore are expected to benefit the most from the railway, while Laos will face a heavy debt burden and disproportionate benefits from China.
This has led to the perception that the project is designed more to meet China’s trade needs and strengthen its economic activities with the more developed ASEAN countries, while the countries most in need are neglected and merely exploited.
Conclusion
It can be seen that the identity that China promotes and the way they present the BRI to the international world does not reflect the actions and decisions they actually take. Therefore, the cautious and vigilant attitude taken by many countries, including ASEAN, is considered the wisest step.
ASEAN member states stand to gain a lot from participating in the BRI. However, it is important to conduct a more in-depth analysis so that the positive and negative impacts, both in the short and long term, can be more clearly understood and more effectively considered.
References:
Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, Vol. 5, No. 3. (2021). Analisis Masuknya Belt and Road Initiative Tiongkok ke Asean dan Identitas yang Dipromosikan Tiongkok. https://doi.org/10.31004/jptam.v5i3.2449
