China’s Global Footprint

Belt, Road and Beyond

This year is the 10th anniversary of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). First launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013, China has since poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects in countries around the world. But with its name echoing the ancient Silk Road, a network of routes linking China to foreign trade and cultural centers, Beijing's BRI ambitions also go beyond infrastructure projects to include education, health and other sectors.

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Past, Present and Future

For about two decades, China has been funding development projects across the globe. An uptick in spending happened in 2013, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping proposing the creation of what China called the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, a land and sea initiative. This concept has evolved over the last 10 years into what is now known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Observers say China's strategy to globalize may be entering a new phase. Watch the video

Infrastructure

Jakarta, Indonesia

Fear, Hope, Disappointment Linked to Indonesia-China Rail Project

High-speed rail project derails the lives of residents who live near a construction site while providing the promise of a better quality of life for others.

Quito, Ecuador

Controversy in Ecuador’s Largest China-Built Infrastructure Project

From cracks to erosion, Ecuador’s largest hydroelectric power plant faces internal and external challenges.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok the Center of China’s Big Train Ambition for ASEAN

China is backing a plan to run high-speed trains from Kunming to Singapore with the hub in Thailand, but Thai opinions are divided on the need and delivery of the multibillion-dollar project.