GCI Colloquium: China’s BRI – A New Colonialism?

Hornby presented a history of the Belt and Road Initiative in its initial stages, formerly referred to as the “going-out” policy. She explained that the dawn of what is known as one of the largest infrastructure initiatives to date came at the internal surplus of market goods and skilled workers in China. In solution, the government initiated policies to use the extra resources of steel, cement, and regional engineers across the globe in the form of “Six Corridors” stemming from China and displacing itself through Indochina, Mongolia, and Myanmar, among three others.

Although she presented a thorough analysis of the Belt and Road Initiative, Hornby also clarified that the exact structure of those investments are still quite unclear. She argued still that even if there is no clear indication of the direct involvement by the Chinese government, there is evidence that the investment projects are not a form of new colonialism, as argued by others. The evidence is based on her direct observation of the flexibility found in China’s search for raw materials and new markets, a key characterization of historical colonialism.

Hornby raised concern and asked, has China has gotten too deep in its investments, leaving themselves and host countries in economic uncertainty? At the end of these projects, there is questionable understanding from both states as to the continued infrastructure support. Should the responsibility be on countries faulting on payments or on the Chinese government?