Belt and Road Initiative: Navigating between Interdependence and China's Global Strategy

Abstract

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China's global strategy for economic and geographical connections, has turned into an important tool for influencing the current economic and geopolitical landscape. While the BRI is portrayed as a development project with the goal of fostering infrastructure connectivity, economic integration and shared economic benefits, it has also sparked discussion of geopolitical influence, debt trap diplomacy and shifting power dynamics. In this study, the economic interdependence and China's strategic interests in the BRI are explored by examining the impacts of BRI infrastructure investments, economic cooperation, and diplomatic relations on regional and international dynamics. The study highlighted the economic, political and governance impacts of the BRI in Asia, Europe and Africa. The research method adopted is qualitative one, which was based on content analysis of Chinese policy documents, official publications of the BRI, international agreements and academic literature to analyze the motives, results and general consequences of the BRI. The results show that the BRI has facilitated economic cooperation, connectivity and infrastructure development in the participating countries but has also led to financial dependency, transparency issues and an increasing geopolitical influence of China. Based on the study, the BRI is a platform for cooperative interdependence and a strategic tool to promote China's international status. This suggests that it needs to push for more transparency, sustainable finance and multilateral cooperation to allow BRI projects to foster "balanced development" and help to reduce geopolitical tensions. The study added to the understanding of China's transformation in global governance and the international relations change.