ARTICLES

16 Sep 2022

Chinese ‘Debt Traps’ in Southeast Asia: What the Data Say

Darren Cheong

This Long Read argues that while the terms of China’s aid and loans to Southeast Asian countries are less favourable compared to those of the World Bank, the weight of the evidence does not lend credence to the existence of a Chinese “debt trap” strategy in the region.

12 Sep 2022

The Undetermined Costs and Benefits of Cambodia’s Engagement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Chanrith Ngin

This Long Read argues that despite common perceptions of Cambodia as a ‘client state’ of China due to its dependence on Chinese aid and investment, Cambodia does exercise agency and has been diversifying its donors and investors to meet its economic needs.

Belt and Road Initiative Cambodia China-Cambodia Relations

12 Aug 2022

The G7’s Global Infrastructure and Investment Drive: Not So Attractive For Southeast Asia

Chanrith Ngin

The Group of 7’s new infrastructure and investment drive seeks to provide what Southeast Asia needs, such as financing for hard infrastructure. But the need for multiple stakeholders and financing issues might not garner much buy-in from the region.

ASEAN Belt and Road Initiative G7 Infrastructure

10 Jun 2022

Assessing the Belt and Road Initiative in Southeast Asia amid the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021-2022)

Wang Zheng

Data analysis from an original dataset tracking major China-financed projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Southeast Asia since January 2021 shows that China remains committed to boosting BRI projects’ progress.

ASEAN-China Relations Belt and Road Initiative

25 Mar 2022

The Belt and Road Initiative and the Philippines’ Post-Duterte China Challenge

Aaron Jed Rabena

Even under China-friendly President Duterte, Chinese BRI projects in the Philippines still encountered strong political opposition and faced several challenges in their roll-out. Nevertheless, taking a broader view of the BRI shows that it has made some progress and jives with the development needs of the Philippines.

Belt and Road Initiative China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine Politics

30 Jul 2021

BRI Projects in Cambodia and Laos Roll On Despite Covid-19

Chheang Vannarith

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the implementation of BRI projects. However, China has swiftly taken measures to keep BRI projects going, notably in Cambodia and Laos, by ensuring financial flow and supply of materials.

Belt and Road Initiative China-Cambodia Relations COVID-19

workers clean the surface of Thang Long bridge

4 Jun 2021

Vietnam’s Tentative Approach to Regional Infrastructure Initiatives

Do Mai Lan|Hoang Oanh

It is estimated that Vietnam will need approximately US$480 billion in infrastructure investment from 2017 to 2030. But despite funding difficulties and the presence of several foreign-backed infrastructure initiatives in the region, Vietnam’s leadership has adopted a cautious stance.

Belt and Road Initiative Economic Development Infrastructure Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

Chinese workers building the first rail line linking China to Laos

18 Jan 2021

Official Chinese Lending: Why the Easy Money is Drying Up

Muhammad Saad Siddiqui

A new study suggests that official Chinese lending has dropped in recent years. This stems from lessons learnt after a decade of mistakes in overseas lending. Despite the decline, the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative shows no signs of slowing.

Belt and Road Initiative China Southeast Asia

A medical worker shows a syringe with the Sinovac Biotech vaccine

11 Jan 2021

Wang Yi’s African Tour: What it Means for Southeast Asia

Lye Liang Fook

Wang Yi’s first overseas trip this year to Africa has implications for Southeast Asia.

Africa Belt and Road Initiative China COVID-19

A Chinese worker carries materials for the first rail line linking China to Laos

8 Jan 2021

Seeing Through Smoke: Why the Debt-Trap Narrative Is a Distraction

Muhammad Saad Siddiqui

The Belt and Road Initiative is many things, but there is little evidence that it is a debt trap. Observers should dispense with this grand narrative and focus on how to engage with the nuances of Chinese lending.

Belt and Road Initiative Cambodia China Laos