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Belt and Road: The projects

Belt and Road: The projects
The initiative spearheaded by the Chinese government and endorsed by President Xi Jinping in late 2013 aims to improve trade and economic integration across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
People gather in Nobonyad Square, Tehran, after Israeli airstrikes on Iran on June 13. Photo: Getty Images
Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | Israeli strikes one more challenge for new China-Iran rail corridor

Weeks before the air strikes, a new overland trade route was launched that could help Iran evade sanctions and advance its regional ambitions.

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Indonesia

Will Indonesia’s Whoosh extension to Surabaya be derailed by Chinese debt?

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US-China relations

Could a ‘more focused’ US gain an edge over China in Indonesian tech contest?

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China-Africa relations

New Chinese funding plan will help extend railway to Uganda, Kenya says

Mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo is China’s ‘pot of gold’ at the end of the Standard Gauge Railway, analyst says.

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Chinese workers on a section of the Standard Gauge Railway in 2018, before a presidential inspection of the Nairobi-Naivasha Phase 2A project. A Chinese consortium will provide 40 per cent of the funding for the 475km line from Naivasha to Malaba. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Can Hong Kong’s Hutchison ride out storm over Panama ports deal after Beijing attack?

Experts say Hutchison, part of tycoon Li Ka-shing’s empire, is now caught in a dilemma and might end up being punished by both the United States and China.

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China-Russia relations

‘Big impact’: Russian goods seizures cause havoc on China-Europe rail link

Freight companies ‘dare not’ use the railway after Russia tightened sanctions and impounded huge volumes of Europe-bound cargo.

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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can seize opportunities along Silk Road Economic Belt

By deepening cooperation, the city can leverage its unique brand and core advantages to help businesses uncover new areas for growth.

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Tourists taste grapes at the 30th China Silk Road Turpan Grape Festival in Xinjiang, on August 17. Turpan, China’s main grape producer, has more than 550 types, making it the “vineyard of the world”. As a renowned culinary capital and an international wine trading hub, Hong Kong is ideally positioned to showcase these products. Photo: Xinhua
China-Africa relations

China and the chocolate factory: Ivory Coast investment helps secure cocoa beans

If tonnes of beans go to China instead of Europe or US, chocolate makers in those regions will feel the loss, expert says.

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Pakistan

18 killed in Balochistan attack on Pakistan paramilitary

A vehicle carrying unarmed Frontier Corps paramilitaries ‘came under gunfire from 70 to 80 armed assailants who had blocked the road’.

Thailand

Thailand’s fast train to China runs 9 years behind schedule

By 2030, the US$13 billion Thai network is expected to connect to the Laos-China high-speed railway via a bridge over the Mekong River.

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A train is seen in Vientiane, Laos, in 2021 during the handover ceremony of the high-speed railway linking it to the Chinese city of Kunming. Photo: Reuters
Belt and Road Initiative

China gets major Nigeria rail project back on track by granting key loan

Chinese state lenders had pulled the plug on the Kaduna-Kano project in 2020, but have greenlit new financing on commercial terms.

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Trains are parked along the Lagos-Ibadan railway in Nigeria, one of several rail projects China has funded in the country. Photo: Xinhua
Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | China-Pakistan friendship will hold fast against all weather

Through fatal attacks on China interests in Pakistan and Islamabad’s debt crisis, both countries clung fast to their strategic partnership.

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US-China relations

Trump’s pick of Rubio as top US diplomat leaves Latin America bracing

Long-time outspoken China critic raises concerns in region he might press governments to choose sides between Washington and Beijing.

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China-Africa relations

As Chinese official visits, Kenya says deal to fund and build highway is close

Kenyan President Ruto says talks are at a late stage for China to finance and build highway through Rift Valley and possible SGR extension.

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Li Xi, a member of China’s Politburo Standing Committee meets Kenyan President William Ruto at State House Nairobi on Monday. Photo: Office of Kenya President
Banking & finance

Southeast Asia, Middle East eye deeper business ties with Hong Kong

Belt and Road Summit: a deep talent pool and financial and legal acumen make the city an ideal partner for development in the two regions.

John Lee, Hong Kong’s chief executive, appears during the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong on September 11, 2024. Photo: Bloomberg
Belt and Road Initiative

Hong Kong to tout strengths in dispute resolution at Southeast Asia roadshows

Justice secretary Paul Lam to lead another delegation to Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia to promote the city’s ‘unique advantages’.

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China-Africa relations

Chinese cement firms look to growing African markets to make up for woes at home

Major cement producers see higher prices – and profits – in countries such as DRC, Mozambique and Ethiopia amid China’s property crisis.

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China-Africa relations

Chinese firm says US$900,000 of gold stolen in armed attack on mine in Ghana

Workers including Chinese citizens were injured in the robbery in April and suspects have been detained, according to Beijing Xiaocheng.

Chinese companies seeking to invest in minerals and resources have looked to Africa, but there are growing concerns over the security risks. Photo: Amy Nip
Belt and Road Initiative

China needs deterrent force to protect its expanding overseas interests: expert

Former PLA officer said worsening relations with the US and its allies have made the task more urgent.

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Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | Amid great power rivalry, middle powers are carving out new trade routes

It’s not just China – from India to Russia and the Middle East, states are collaborating over trade corridors as an alternative to US power structures.

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Central Asia

China reaches deal on railway project linking it with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan

The rail link, first proposed in the 1990s, will serve as a faster and cheaper alternative to current China-Europe land routes, most of which travel through Russia.

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A China-Europe freight train leaves for Kazakhstan from Xian International Port in Shaanxi province in 2022. Photo: Xinhua
Pakistan

Pakistan pins its hopes on China – and a belt and road revival

Progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor stalled post-pandemic amid Pakistan’s ongoing economic difficulties, but Islamabad now detects ‘great interest on the Chinese side to revive the momentum’.

An advertising hoarding celebrating the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is seen last year in Islamabad to welcome Chinese Vice-Prime Minister He Lifeng. Photo: EPA-EFE
Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | How to stem terrorist attacks on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

China and Pakistan need better security and engagement with the Afghan Taliban to cut off terrorist attacks on the key Belt and Road Initiative project. China must also address local socioeconomic grievances.

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Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | How the US can counter China’s belt and road forays in the Indo-Pacific

US officials must assess the impact of projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung railway, especially environmentally and socially, to be able to offer convincing alternatives.

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Belt and Road Initiative

Why China is turning to sci-tech in new action plan to boost belt and road

China’s president unveils a vision for the infrastructure strategy that could help other countries overcome Western restrictions.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of “advancing scientific and technological innovation” through cooperation with other belt and road partners. Photo: EPA-EFE
China-Africa relations

Kenya to ask China for US$1 billion, more time to pay debts, deputy president says

President William Ruto is expected to meet China’s Xi Jinping during a trip to Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum this month.

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A freight train runs along the China-built Mombasa-Nairobi SGR in Kenyan capital Nairobi. Photo: Xinhua
Belt and Road Initiative

Outside In | Tale of two railways: Indonesia’s high-speed Whoosh vs UK’s HS2 shambles

The failures of Britain’s HS2 stand in stark contrast to the successful launch of Indonesia’s belt and road railway. The West has much to learn from China in building future-critical infrastructure.

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Indonesia

Video | Is Indonesia’s new high-speed railway worth the hype?

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