Ramesh #NotGoingBackDec 15, 2023

The #TransEurasian #NewSilkRoad winds through #Moscow, aligned with #Putin’s #RevanchistDreams that include former #IronCurtain countries

Not really new, the audacious #BeltAndRoadInitiative seeks to establish #CONTIGUOUS land & maritime routes from #China across #Eurasia

Only now, #MiddleEast nations #Iran, #GCC, & #ArabLeague joined China’s grand vision in hopes of reviving #Arabism, which hinges on eliminating both Israel & US #FromTheRiverToTheSea

#EyesOnSuez

https://www.heritage.org/middle-east/report/iran-looks-east-building-ties-china

Iran Looks East: Building Ties with China

Iran’s theocratic dictatorship, locked into a confrontation with the United States and many other states by its nuclear weapons ambitions and Islamist ideology, is drifting into China’s orbit. The Iran–China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement signed in Tehran in March 2021, and Iran’s admission to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—the multilateral Eurasian diplomatic forum led by China and Russia—in September, underscore the expansion of political, economic, and strategic ties between Iran and China.

The Heritage Foundation
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 21, 2024

⬆️ Rethreading…

A decade of steady progress by #China's in its #BeltAndRoadInitiative while #Americans continued to fight Americans in endless #US policy battles.

They built, while we bickered.

#BRI is spread across all continents— highest concentration in #Africa:

44 in #SubSaharanAfrica
34 in #Europe & #CentralAsia
25 in #EastAsia & #Pacific
22 in #LatinAmerica & #Caribbean
19 in #MiddleEast & #NorthAfrica
6 in #SouthEastAsia.

Includes 17 in #EU and 8 of #G20

https://greenfdc.org/countries-of-the-belt-and-road-initiative-bri/

Countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – Green Finance & Development Center

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 21, 2024

⬆️ Rethreading…

#China only works with local #elites on its #BeltAndRoadInitiative

Most infrastructure projects are shrouded in mystery, and #corruption is inbuilt, with massive infusion of investments.

The inbuilt corruption is what allows China to bribe local elites and ensnare participating countries in its #debtDiplomacy (eg, #SriLanka, #Thailand, and many countries in #Africa and #GlobalSouth)

In time of need, it is these elites that will come to China's help.

https://www.voanews.com/a/china-and-the-lessons-learned-from-a-decade-of-the-bri-/7301915.html

China and the Lessons Learned From a Decade of the BRI

China’s Belt and Road projects are becoming more controversial experts say

Voice of America (VOA News)
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 21, 2024

⬆️ Rethreading…

#SinocentricGlobalOrder

#China's #BeltAndRoadInitiative (#BRI), initially consisted of land-based #NewSilkRoad Belt and a "Road" #maritime Initiative.

It repeatedly broke geographic boundaries, reaching into the Pacific Islands, the #Arctic and even outer space.

#PolarSilkRoad

#China is not an #Arctic country— NO border with #ArcticSea nor sovereignty on under-continental shelves.

Yet, it defines itself as a #NearArcticState ➡️ https://mastodon.social/@rameshgupta/111630911378365445

https://eastasiaforum.org/2023/11/24/pondering-the-bris-alleged-new-roads/

Pondering the BRI’s alleged new roads | East Asia Forum

Though the new conventional wisdom is that the BRI will assume a 'smaller, greener and more beautiful form', it remains to be seen if this indeed is what will transpire, writes Jean-Marc F Blanchard (Wong Center).

East Asia Forum
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 21, 2024

⬆️ Rethreading…

Now over a Trillion Dollars 👀

#BeltAndRoadInitiative breached $1Trillion after 10 years, little over 40% of which are "non-financial" investments.

10 years after the announcement of the #BeltAndRoadInitiative (#BRI), cumulative BRI engagement breached the USD 1 trillion mark (USD1.016 trillion), with about USD596 in construction contracts, and USD420 in non-financial investments

https://greenfdc.org/china-belt-and-road-initiative-bri-investment-report-2023-h1/

China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Investment Report 2023 H1 – Green Finance & Development Center

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 21, 2024

⬆️ Rethreading…

#Trump spent 4 years of his unfortunate presidency talking about a mythical #InfrastructureWeek

Meanwhile, this is the kind of #infrastructure #China has been building under its audacious #BeltAndRoadInitiative

https://english.news.cn/20230928/41df3176c0c6451db0b62c06a579013b/c.html

A glimpse of key infrastructure projects under BRI

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 21, 2024

⬆️ Rethreading…

#China widens #SouthAmerica #maritime "highway" with #NewSilkRoad mega port as part of its audacious #BeltAndRoadInitiative #BRI

Over last 10 yrs, it has unseated #US as largest trade partner for South America

While rest of the world is struggling with longer shipping times because of disruptions in #RedSea & #PanamaCanal shipping, the first #Chinese controlled port in South America will be able to cut journey time to Asia by 2 weeks

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-widens-south-america-trade-highway-with-silk-road-mega-port-2024-01-18/

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 21, 2024

⬆️ Rethreading…

#China #debtDiplomacy

#SriLanka is reeling from its worst economic crisis.

It declared bankruptcy in April 2022 with more than half of its debt to foreign creditors, largest of which is #China

Sri Lanka Pres. #Wickremesinghe said he has made much progress in economic stabilization & sought help of #Thailand ➡️ https://apnews.com/article/sri-lanka-thailand-free-trade-agreement-2c2606b7ec84c32a8c78b4f6963c68c2

#Chinese-funded #Colombo port city deepen Sri Lanka’s econ woes ➡️ https://www.voanews.com/a/chinese-funded-projects-deepen-sri-lanka-s-economic-woes-/6888652.html

#BeltAndRoadInitiative #BRI

https://apnews.com/article/sri-lanka-thailand-independence-economic-crisis-trade-4f47673ee35567ac7d234b6bf407700b

Debt-stricken Sri Lanka signs a free trade pact with Thailand

Debt-stricken Sri Lanka has signed a trade pact with Thailand in a bid to boost trade and investment as the Indian ocean island nation is struggling to recover from its worst economic crisis that hit two year ago. The Sri Lanka Thailand Free Trade Agreement covering trade in goods, investment, custom procedures and intellectual property rights was signed in the capital Colombo on Saturday in the presence of Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Sri Lanka began talks with Thailand on a free trade agreement in 2016. The countries’ two-way trade was worth about $352 million in 2022.

AP News
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 21, 2024

⬆️ 10 days after #Oct7…

China is throwing a huge party to celebrate one of its biggest experiments in engaging with the world: its #BeltAndRoadInitiative.

#Russian Pres #Putin & #Hungarian PM #Orban have arrived to celebrate the #BRI's 10th anniv.

#Taliban government will also join the august company.

China reaped huge economic benefit in trade, with access to more resources as the BRI's focus widened to include #Africa, #SouthAmerica and #MiddleEast.

#debtDiplomacy

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-67120726

Belt and Road Initiative: Is China's trillion-dollar gamble worth it?

Xi Jinping’s signature policy to transform the world has cost billions - has it paid off?

BBC News
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 21, 2024

⬆️

— #BeltAndRoadInitiative purpose has evolved. It now embodies #Xi's global aims.

— #China overlooks #debt and tolerates #corruption in recipient countries.

Actually, corruption is in-built into #BRI contracts to ensnare countries in #Chinese #debtDiplomacy

https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/what-is-the-future-of-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative/

⬇️

What is the future of China’s Belt and Road Initiative? – GIS Reports

The BRI has evolved from a surplus dump to a financier of big infrastructure. It is now scaling back its economic ambitions but remains a political tool to advance Xi Jinping’s global vision.

GIS Reports
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJun 2, 2024

⬆️ Congressional Research Service has an update on #Chinas's audacious #BeltAndRoadInitiative #BRI

Projects under the initiative advance China's geopolitical and economic
goals while undercutting #US influence and interests (scroll up for more)

China is financing projects in more than 100 countries. The scale rivals that of the ENTIRE #WorldBank, but with #debtDiplomacy at its core

All of this happened while America bickered with Newt #Gingrich's #TeaParty and #Trump

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24676046/chinas-one-belt-one-road-initiative-may-16-2024.pdf
⬇️

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJun 2, 2024

⬆️ #China's #BRI projects seek interconnection and interoperability in transportation (e.g., rail gauges),energy (e.g., power grid), and communications (e.g., 5G),allowing potential PRC control of sensitive infrastructure and related services.

Some of China’s civilian infrastructure projects also have military applications.

China is developing standards that promote civilian and military interoperability, including infrastructure such as #ports.

#ColomboPort #SriLanka
#HornOfAfrica 👀

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJun 8, 2024

⬆️ The #GreatEncircler says it is willing to upgrade economic corridor with #Pakistan & deepen ties with #Brazil

Put that way, it sounds like #China is only reluctantly agreeing to do that

#ChinaPakistanEconomicCorridor includes building roads & rail systems to link China’s #Xinjiang region to Pakistan’s #GwadarPort on the #Arabian sea

It's part of Xi’s #BeltAndRoadInitiative #BRI, in which civilian infrastructure projects also have military applications.

#GlobalSouth

https://apnews.com/article/china-pakistan-brazil-sharif-xi-alckmin-840a87521d23a6a00b053098f22c23cd

China says it is willing to upgrade economic corridor with Pakistan and deepen ties with Brazil

China's leader Xi Jinping has told the visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Beijing is willing to work with Islamabad to build an upgraded version of an economic corridor linking their two countries. State broadcaster CCTV said on Friday that Sharif pledged to take effective steps to ensure the safety of Chinese workers in Pakistan. Five Chinese engineers working on a dam project died in a suicide bombing in Pakistan in March. earlier in the day, Xi also met with Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who expressed hope that Chinese companies would participate in a Brazilian government infrastructure program that includes railways, energy, port and airport projects.

AP News
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJun 9, 2024

⬆️ #Pakistan better beware of #China's #debtDiplomacy. See what they've done to #SriLanka and #ColomboPort ➡️ https://mastodon.social/@rameshgupta/111969461293745781

#Chinese investment and financial support have been a boon for Pakistan's struggling economy, including rolling over of loans so that it is able to meet external financing needs at a time foreign reserves are critically low.

China has invested over $65 billion under #ChinaPakistanEconomicCorridor as part of its #BeltAndRoadInitiative #BRI

https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/china-pakistan-agree-strengthen-mining-oil-gas-cooperation-2024-06-09/

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackJun 12, 2024

⬆️ #Pakistan presents a budget as it seeks a new long-term #IMF #bailout.

It’s looking for a long-term loan of $6B–$8B from IMF to help stabilize the economy, which in 2023 nearly defaulted on foreign debts.

Re IMF, Pakistan will privatize its national carrier, #PakistanInternationalAirlines, which #China will swoop in on when Pakistan defaults on China loans under #BeltAndRoadInitiative #BRI #debtDiplomacy, but its real prize is Pakistan’s #GwadarPort on #ArabianSea 👀

https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-budget-parliament-imf-7752e501660024e269ce99a423f5a4f4

Pakistan’s new government presents its first budget as it seeks a new long-term IMF bailout

Pakistan’s new coalition government presented its first budget in parliament. It is promising an increase of up to 25% in the salaries of government employees and setting an ambitious tax collection target. Talks with the International Monetary Fund about a new bailout continue. Analysts say the new budget of about $68 billion is aimed at qualifying for a long-term loan of $6 billion to $8 billion from the IMF to help stabilize the economy. It nearly defaulted last year on the payment of foreign debts.

AP News
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackAug 30, 2024

⬆️ 10 weeks ago >> #Pakistan [already crushed under #China #debtDiplomacy] seeks a new long-term #IMF #bailout… When Pakistan defaults on China loans under the audacious #BeltAndRoadInitiative, China’s real prize [would be] Pakistan’s #GwadarPort on #ArabianSea 👀

Seems like that day is closer now. When #ChinaPakistanEconomicCorridor #CPEC was launched in 2015, it was heralded as a game-changer for Pakistan

The plan (part of #BRI) promised to transform Pakistan’s economy

https://www.thestatesman.com/world/pakistan-and-chinese-debt-trap-a-looming-crisis-1503337009.html

Pakistan and Chinese debt trap: A looming crisis? - The Statesman

This article aims to explore this possibility by delving into the complex relationship between Pakistan and China, analyzing the financial data, and considering the broader implications of this economic dependency.

The Statesman
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackNov 13, 2024

⬆️ >> When #Pakistan defaults on #China loans under the #BeltAndRoadInitiative, China’s real prize would be Pakistan’s #GwadarPort on #ArabianSea 👀

Both #India and #Brazil have rejected #BRI.

China's audacious project continues to fly under the radar in US news and public consciousness. See 🧵 above for a refresher.

https://southasiatimes.org/brazil-and-india-rejection-of-chinas-bri-whats-at-stake/

Brazil and India Rejection of China’s BRI: What’s at Stake? - South Asia Times

What is truly at stake with the Brazil and India rejection of China’s BRI—will this mark a turning point in China’s quest for global influence?

South Asia Times
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBack

⬆️ >> #India and #Brazil rejected #China's audacious #BeltAndRoadInitiative #BRI.

However…

"Indian leaders, like many in other countries, have long separated matters of #nationalSecurity and #economicGrowth. But they are inextricable from each other. India needs to reach a more comprehensive understanding of the threat China poses.

…if Indian policymakers do not break the conceptual barrier between economics and security, India will remain vulnerable to China…"

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/india/fatal-flaw-indias-china-strategy

The Fatal Flaw in India’s China Strategy

Economic dependence will make New Delhi forever vulnerable to Beijing.

Foreign Affairs
Nov 14, 2024 at 12:26pmWeb
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackDec 28, 2024

⬆️ #China's audacious #BeltAndRoadInitiative

via @SocraticEthics >> ‼️🇰🇬 New railway linking #China to Central Asia countries, bypassing #Russia, begins construction in #Kyrgyzstan ➡️ https://kyivindependent.com/new-railway-linking-china-to-europe-bypassing-russia-begins-construction-in-kyrgyzstan/

There are already existing railway lines through Russia. The plan was always to build new lines outside of Russia.

China is not "bypassing" Russia. See the yellow dotted line indicating the #BRI economic belt that makes a sharp deliberate turn towards #Moscow.

#BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-67120726

New railway linking China to Central Asia countries, bypassing Russia, begins construction in Kyrgyzstan

The new route, part of China's economic expansion efforts, aims to expand Chinese commercial influence in Central Asia and Europe while bypassing Russian territory.

The Kyiv Independent
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackApr 9, 2025

⬆️ #China's audacious #BeltAndRoadInitiative #BRI continues to fly under the radar in #US #CorporateMedia.

In a conventional kinetic war, this will be China's decisive edge.

While China has been investing worldwide to build ports & infrastructure, Americans have been bickering among ourselves (more sharply since 2010 with the #TeaParty).

Now Donald #Trump and Marco #Rubio want to sieze #PanamaCanal and #Greenland by force to make up for some of that inaction and to blunt the Chinese influence

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackApr 14, 2025

⬆️ #China's audacious #BeltAndRoadInitiative #BRI continues to fly under the radar in #US #CorporateMedia.

Meanwhile, the #Trump administration is busy self-sabotaging and cutting off the transnational belts and roads that #UnitedStates built since #WWII.

"…duality to how the US is seen: as both a country that wantonly violates international law and as the only one capable of upholding that system of law and order. This duality, always tense, is no longer sustainable."

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/14/post-american-world-washington-chaotic-opportunity#img-1

It is difficult to imagine a post-American world. But imagine it we must

The truth is, we were always dangerously overexposed to decisions made in Washington – consider this chaotic moment an opportunity, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik

The Guardian
Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 13

⬆️ 🧵

>> #China's audacious #BeltAndRoadInitiative #BRI continues to fly under the radar in #US #CorporateMedia. In a conventional kinetic war, this will be China's decisive edge.

The above is a long thread of mine (just like the long quoted story below). We ignore China's long-term strategy only at our peril.

It is not just that #Trump is an arsonist.

This American #GOP self-sabotage has been going on since at least #GeorgeWBush, #Obama, AND #Biden.

@GrumpyOldFart
https://mastodonapp.uk/@GrumpyOldFart/116063599776323817

Show threadRamesh #NotGoingBackFeb 13

⬆️ "#China does not fight the way #America fights…

China builds.

It builds ports in #Pakistan and railways in #Kenya and highways across Central #Asia. It builds chip factories… #solar… and #EV.

It builds alternative #payment systems … and #trade networks that route around American control.

While the #US Empire bombs, China pours concrete…

This is the long game… Invisible until suddenly it is everywhere, until one day the world… discovers that the roads all lead to Beijing"

@GrumpyOldFart