The Belt and Road and initiative by China started as an infrastructure program. However, recent statements from China indicate it is more than just that. It is becoming clearer that the initiative is a tool for China to exert influence globally.

The initiative is gaining support

Many countries have voiced their support or understanding of the initiative. This includes countries like Italy, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Russia, and Greece. The forum related to the initiative which lasted for seven days concluded by having 40 members endorsing the program.

This guarantees that China’s power now can reach far in Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, some countries, with the US at the top, does not find the initiative appealing. Some analysts believe that providing credit is China’s way of getting and maintaining allies. In Xi Jinping’s words, the purpose is to “strengthen cooperation in customs, taxation and audit oversight”, in addition to technological collaboration.

A Geopolitical Tool

For China, one of the objectives of the initiative is to have an impact over two key areas: technology and global governance. This guarantees that China can influence and shape geopolitical events in the future and influence the world order more effectively. This would help in its trade spat and rivalry with the US.

Many projects have already been launched under the initiative, and some have been terminated. The initiative started in 2013 approximately but its scope has not been defined clearly. Some believe the scope is expanding and that it is merely a vehicle to spread Chinese value and presence abroad.