How China’s Belt and Road Initiative Collapsed

I remember reading about China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) when it first launched. The vision seemed almost utopian: highways cutting through dense jungles, ports rising on barren shores, and railways uniting continents. It was a colossal attempt to reshape the global order, to uplift impoverished nations, and secure China’s place as the undisputed leader of the new world economy. But, over time, the story of this grand project has taken a darker turn. What was once hailed as the future of global trade now stands marred by ghost projects, rising debt, and protests from all corners of the world.

How did this happen? Was this always a trap, carefully laid out, or was it an unexpected downfall? Let’s take a closer look at the rise and fall of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.

BRI Vision and Its Cost

In 2013, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative with one overarching goal: to dominate global commerce. They envisioned a vast infrastructure network, spanning oceans and continents. The plan was to build ports, highways, and railways, with a flagship mega city at its heart. At a trillion-dollar price tag, the BRI promised to lift the world’s poorest nations out of poverty while positioning China as the dominant economic force.

At first glance, it seemed like a win-win situation. China had the money, the technology, and the manpower to get things done. In turn, developing countries saw infrastructure projects that could drive economic growth. In Kenya, rail travel time was slashed. In Sri Lanka and Pakistan, trade flourished. The BRI appeared to be living up to its promise. But the dream quickly began to crumble.

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The Debt Trap Diplomacy

The first major red flag was debt. Countries like Zambia, Sri Lanka, and others took out massive loans to fund the BRI’s infrastructure projects, but things didn’t go as planned. Sri Lanka, for example, could not repay the loans on time, so it handed over a strategic port to China for 99 years. Zambia, drowning in debt, lost control of its national airport. This practice of debt-trap diplomacy, where China took over crucial infrastructure in exchange for unpaid loans, was called into question by critics. Despite China’s denials, evidence continued to emerge, showing that the BRI was forcing countries into financial submission.

Ecological Damage and Broken Promises

But it wasn’t just financial issues that plagued the BRI. The environmental consequences were equally devastating. In Indonesia, vast forests were cleared for nickel mining, fueling China’s electric vehicle industry. In Myanmar, protests erupted over a massive dam project that would displace thousands. Even projects touted as “green” were far from environmentally friendly. China’s promise to stop funding coal power plants was broken when several new plants were constructed, contributing to pollution and environmental degradation.

The Cost of Empty Projects

Then there were the colossal blunders—projects that tanked or became outright useless. Montenegro borrowed a billion dollars to build a highway, only for the project to turn into a circular road. In Malaysia, a railway project was overpriced and had to be re-negotiated. In Africa, Chinese-built hospitals and government offices sat vacant because the local staff was inadequately trained. These failures only added to the growing list of disappointments surrounding the BRI.

A Shift in Strategy

Despite these setbacks, China has not backed down. Instead, they’ve shifted their approach. From large-scale, expensive projects, China is now focusing on smaller, more manageable ventures. They are investing in digital infrastructure, building solar farms, and equipping countries with 5G technology. The new strategy aims to minimize negative attention while still expanding China’s global influence. But it’s clear that the damage from the original BRI projects may already be irreversible. Countries are beginning to wake up to the strings attached to these loans, and the West has started to develop counter-strategies.

The Long-Term Consequences

So, what does this mean for the future? The BRI is far from over, but it’s no longer the same. China’s focus has shifted from traditional infrastructure to technology and diplomacy. They’re building data centers and digital networks rather than ports and highways. This shift has sparked debates: Is China’s new approach a genuine attempt to modernize the world, or is it a calculated move to gain even more global control?

What’s more, the political and economic consequences are already playing out. Italy, once a major European partner in the BRI, has pulled out of the program, calling it a “big mistake.” In Kenya, new leadership is reopening investigations into suspicious contracts, while even Pakistan—China’s closest ally—has begun demanding better terms on its loans.

Meanwhile, the West is catching up, launching initiatives like the Global Gateway and the PGII. These projects aim to offer open, transparent investments, but they’re playing catch-up, far behind China’s decade-long lead in forging relationships across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

The New World Order?

There’s also the factor of Russia. As relations with the West deteriorate over the Ukraine conflict, Russia has turned its attention fully to China. New railways, pipelines, and trade routes are being established, strengthening the Sino-Russian alliance and countering American dominance.

So, where does this leave us? The Belt and Road Initiative is not dead, but it’s evolving into something more perilous. It’s less about physical infrastructure and more about control—control through data, technology, and diplomacy. The game has changed, and China’s moves are reshaping the world order in ways we may not fully understand yet.

Also Read: Why Britain’s £106 Billion HS2 Rail Project Failed?

The Future of Global Power

The real question now is not whether China’s Belt and Road Initiative failed, but rather what happens next. As China shifts its focus, the global balance of power is in flux. The West, China, and Russia are all vying for influence, and the next few decades will determine who commands the future. The consequences of this shift will echo across the world, affecting everything from economics to international relations.

So, what’s your take on China’s new approach? Is it a strategic move towards global domination, or is the damage already too great to reverse? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and if this article gave you a new perspective, don’t forget to like and share. The battle for global power is just beginning.