Japan, EU To Jointly Fund Infrastructure | Oct. 17, 2018, 9:11 a.m.

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the European Investment Bank will collaborate to extend loans for infrastructure projects in the Middle East and Africa, in an apparent effort to offer an alternative model to China's Belt and Road Initiative and U.S. protectionism, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

Pakistan Pursues IMF Support | Oct. 12, 2018, 9:29 a.m.

Pakistan has formally asked the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance amid pressure to meet external debt obligations, reports the Nikkei Asian Review. IMF help will require absolute transparency on the nature, size, and terms of the country's debt, including its BRI investment from China.

Traveling 60,000 KM Across China’s Belt and Road | Oct. 11, 2018, 8:53 a.m.

BRI Investment Hits High | Oct. 9, 2018, 9:17 a.m.

Chinese capital flowing into the Belt and Road Initiative projects surged to a record $20.1 billion in 2017, even as the country's overall outbound foreign direct investment fell. That record will likely be beaten again this year, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

U.S. $60B Response to BRI | Oct. 5, 2018, 9:35 a.m.

With the approval of Congress, the U.S. moves forward with a $60 billion investment fund to boost foreign development funding. According to the Nikkei Asian Review, this is an effort to counter China's expanding influence under the BRI.

US Votes To Overhaul Overseas Infrastructure | Oct. 4, 2018, 10:02 a.m.

The U.S. Senate passed legislation overhauling the way the federal government lends money for foreign development, creating a $60 billion agency intended largely to respond to China's growing influence, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

China's Belt and Road at Five | Oct. 3, 2018, 9:49 a.m.

Five years ago, Chinese president Xi Jinping announced the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a trillion-dollar plan that aims to connect more than 70 countries via an overland “belt” and a maritime “road.” On October 1, the CSIS Reconnecting Asia Project hosted a half-day conference examining China’s BRI, including the challenges, risks, and opportunities it poses for the United States.

New Asian Leaders Question BRI | Oct. 1, 2018, 8:33 a.m.

Newly elected Asian leaders from the Maldives, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka question the "business sense" of some Chinese-funded infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, casting doubt on Beijing's strategy for building regional influence.

Myanmar, China Renegotiate BRI Port | Sept. 28, 2018, 9:17 a.m.

Myanmar and China renegotiated a BRI contract for the construction of Kyaukpyu deep-sea port, reducing Myanmar's financial burden. Construction will not proceed before certain demand conditions are met, according to the Nikkei Asian Review

Japan’s Nippon Express Launches China-Europe Train Service | Sept. 27, 2018, 11:02 a.m.

Japan’s Nippon Express will begin offering regular freight train shipping between China and Europe in February, as China’s Belt and Road Initiative accelerates the transfer of goods between the two markets, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

China, Japan Start Infrastructure Effort | Sept. 26, 2018, 9:24 a.m.

China and Japan announced plans to sign dozens of agreements on infrastructure and other projects when Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe visits China next month.

Special Report: China's Belt and Road Initiative | Sept. 26, 2018, 8:44 a.m.

Although Beijing insists that its Belt and Road Initiative has no geopolitical motives, the project has been at the center of an increasing number of political controversies, foreign and domestic, writes the Financial Times in a Special Report, citing analyses from the Reconnecting Asia Project.

Experts React | Sept. 25, 2018, 9:45 a.m.

Five years after the announcement of China's Belt and Road, the ambitious drive to build new infrastructure across Eurasia has produced a mixed track record on key issues such as its energy footprint, debt sustainability, and environmental impact.

Maldives Election Marks Setback for BRI | Sept. 25, 2018, 9:12 a.m.

Maldivians voted out incumbent President Yameen, an early supporter of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative who accepted funding for bridges, housing and other infrastructure projects.

Nepal Restores $2.5B Deal with Chinese Company | Sept. 24, 2018, 9:16 a.m.

Nepal's new government has restored a $2.5 billion deal with China Guangzhou Corporation to build the nation's largest hydroelectric power plant. This is part of prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli's strategy to use Chinese investment to improve Nepal's infrastructure, writes the Nikkei Asian Review.

Belt & Road Bolsters China’s Technological Clout | Sept. 24, 2018, 9:10 a.m.

As demand for bandwidth grows along China’s Belt and Road initiative, Chinese involvement in technology, media, and telecommunications projects will continue to rise. Along with commercial opportunities, these projects carry geopolitical and strategic implications, paving the way for China’s technological dominance and furthering its ability to set global standards under the banner of its Belt and Road initiative.

EU Plans Asia Infrastructure Push | Sept. 21, 2018, 9:21 a.m.

The European Commission has announced "The European Way to Connectivity," a proposal aimed at boosting Europe's infrastructure links with Asia.

Thailand Indirectly Seeks BRI Funding | Sept. 20, 2018, 11:03 a.m.

Envisioning a bilateral trade deal with Sri Lanka, the Thai government hopes to tap into opportunities from China's Belt and Road Initiative without directly dealing with China.

China's Cosco Acquires Taiwanese Ports | Sept. 17, 2018, 9:17 a.m.

View All Analysis | Sept. 17, 2018, 8:57 a.m.

Browse our analysis section for news and articles on topics such as China's Belt and Road Initiative (OBOR), the Competing Visions of Japan, India, and other regional powers, and the stakes for U.S. policy.

BRI Becomes Unclear | Sept. 14, 2018, 9:15 a.m.

Chinese infrastructure funding is as likely to go outside of Beijing's six defined economic corridors as it is to go in them; indicating a possible lapse of control from the central government. This could present opportunities for its partners and competitors, writes Jonathan Hillman in the Nikkei Asian Review.

China's Belt and Roller Coaster | Sept. 14, 2018, 8:47 a.m.

Five years ago, President Xi Jinping unveiled the Belt and Road Initiative, a vast investment scheme cloaked in the rhetoric of cooperation that was designed to pave the way for China's transition to great power status. Instead, it has become a roller coaster that Beijing is struggling to control.

BRI to Link With EAEU | Sept. 12, 2018, 10:37 a.m.

Following their meeting at the 2018 Eastern Economic Forum, Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin affirmed their intention to link China's Belt and Road Initiative with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union.

China States BRI is Generous | Sept. 10, 2018, 9:38 a.m.

Beijing has pledged another $60 billion to African countries as it tries to address the perception of the Belt and Road being a debt trap, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

Djibouti Seeks Central Role in BRI | Sept. 6, 2018, 9:10 a.m.

Djibouti intends to promote the Belt and Road Initiative despite caution about the debt burden, according to the Nikkei Asian Review. The country's strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea could help China connect to Africa and Europe by land and sea.

Malaysia, Singapore To Revive ECRL | Sept. 5, 2018, 11:33 a.m.

Malaysia and Singapore will resume construction of the 350 km East Coast Rail Link project in 2020 on the basis that Singapore will be compensated $11 million for the delay.

China's Belt and Road Is Full of Holes | Sept. 5, 2018, 9:30 a.m.

Five years since it was announced, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has yet to materialize on the ground as promised. According to Chinese officials, the BRI includes six economic corridors that will carry goods, people, and data across the Eurasian supercontinent. But a statistical analysis of 173 infrastructure projects finds that Chinese investment is just as likely to go outside those corridors as within them.

Japan, China to Cooperate on Infrastructure | Sept. 4, 2018, 9:10 a.m.

Japan and China are moving ahead with plans to cooperate on overseas infrastructure projects, with a public-private committee scheduled to hold its first meeting in Beijing.

China's BRI To Promote 5G | Aug. 31, 2018, 10:13 a.m.

China's Belt and Road Initiative aims to dominate the next wave of wireless technology by becoming the global leader in the development of 5G networks.

Modi Attends Regional Summit in Nepal | Aug. 30, 2018, 9 a.m.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi heads to Nepal for a meeting of the seven-nation BIMSTEC bloc, where improved trade and connectivity have the potential to help India counter Beijing's massive Belt and Road Initiative, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

Central Asia Vies for BRI | Aug. 29, 2018, 10:12 a.m.

At risk of granting China valuable concessions to ease their debt burdens, Central Asian countries seek to bolster relations with China and secure a piece of the Belt and Road Initiative, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

China Courts Africa for BRI | Aug. 28, 2018, 10:09 a.m.

China is courting African leaders with offers of economic assistance through the Belt and Road Initiative as it prepares to host the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on September 3rd and Sept 4th, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

Thailand Welcomes Chinese Investment | Aug. 24, 2018, 10:34 a.m.

Thailand is welcoming 500 Chinese companies over the weekend and is expecting to sign more than a dozen bilateral contracts that will link its Eastern Economic Corridor to China's Belt and Road Initiative.

China Invests $3.6B in Turkey's Infrastructure | Aug. 22, 2018, 10:50 a.m.

China will contribute $3.6 billion to Turkey for infrastructure projects in order to expand its Belt and Road Initiative and mitigate the impact of Turkey's economic crisis.

Malaysia Halts China-Backed Projects | Aug. 21, 2018, 9:24 a.m.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir claims that Chinese leaders have accepted his government's request to stop three China-backed infrastructure projects due to debt concerns.

Turkish Lira Sparks BRI Debt Fears | Aug. 20, 2018, 9:12 a.m.

The plummeting Turkish Lira may serve as a warning for emerging Asian economies who own significant BRI infrastructure debt. A drop in domestic currency can cause a crisis when time to repay debts, which are typically denominated in USD, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

Mahathir To Renegotiate Chinese Infrastructure Deals | Aug. 16, 2018, 9:25 a.m.

Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad is heading to China to renegotiate billion-dollar infrastructure projects signed by his predecessor, in an effort to reduce the nation's financial dependence on China.

Vietnam Rethinks Chinese Assistance | Aug. 15, 2018, 9:57 a.m.

Vietnam's Ministry of Investment and Planning issued a warning to its government about Chinese development assistance, citing concerns of high interest rates, project overruns, and a lack of local contribution to the projects.

China Adds $10B To Railway Spending | Aug. 14, 2018, 9:24 a.m.

The Chinese government is set to expand infrastructure spending by nearly $10 billion to stimulate the economy amid the growing risk of a financial slowdown as its trade war with the U.S. escalates, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

Pakistan Weighs Help from IMF or China | Aug. 9, 2018, 10 a.m.

Pakistan's new prime minister Imran Khan is deciding whether the country should turn to the International Monetary Fund or to China for financial support. The new administration must resolve its shortage of foreign exchange reserves caused by a sharp increase in imports through BRI-related projects and the redemption of external debt.

Infrastructure Raises Asian Stocks | Aug. 7, 2018, 8:55 a.m.

In anticipation of an infrastructure spending boost, stocks have climbed for Chinese infrastructure companies.

SEA Fund Boosts Self-Reliance | Aug. 6, 2018, 9:07 a.m.

Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam have announced the The Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Fund. The fund aims to help Southeast Asia become more financially self-reliant and reduce its dependence on external economic and political giants, particularly China.

Read the full article [here](https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Southeast-Asian-fund-can-complement-Chinese-investment-by

China, Japan To Cooperate on BRI | Aug. 3, 2018, 9:06 a.m.

China and Japan agreed Thursday to encourage deeper economic cooperation in the private sector and to launch a public-private committee to advance joint infrastructure development in the region as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.

BRI Funding Exceeds U.S. Indo-Pacific Push | Aug. 1, 2018, 10:17 a.m.

The U.S.'s recently announced plan to invest $113 million in infrastructure throughout the Indo-Pacific region will have a limited impact and pales in comparison to China's multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative, according to Dr. James Crabtree of the National University of Singapore.

US Launches Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Initiative | July 31, 2018, 7:42 a.m.

The United States announced a $113 million package aimed at developing the Indo-Pacific region's digital economy, energy sector, and infrastructure.

China's Ambitious Plan to Connect the World | July 30, 2018, 10:05 a.m.

China's Belt and Road Initiative has expanded far beyond its original core of Eurasia and the Middle East, from New Zealand to the Arctic, Africa to Latin America and even outer space. While the BRI is not yet a challenge to the rules-based liberal order, it is a test of it.

EU Wary of China’s Infrastructure in Eastern Europe | July 30, 2018, 9:41 a.m.

The EU became wary of China's infrastructure investment in Central and Eastern European countries. Hungary was forced by the EU to conduct a public tender for the Hungarian segment of the Belgrade-Budapest High-Speed Railway, which would delay the project completion until 2023.

All Rise? Belt and Road Court is in Session | July 26, 2018, 3:08 p.m.

The sheer scale and complexity of many infrastructure projects guarantee that disputes will arise. That’s why China is not only pushing projects overseas under its Belt and Road Initiative but increasingly, it is also writing new rules that advance its interests. The implications for the rules-based order—and U.S. interests—could be profound.

China's Port Presence Raises Concern | July 26, 2018, 8:41 a.m.

Concerns are being raised that China's port infrastructure push may be setting up debt traps, by lending money with a hidden goal of controlling the ports and turning them into military bases, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

BRI Empowers SE Asia's Strongmen | July 25, 2018, 10:33 a.m.

Chinese infrastructure investment throughout Southeast Asia has shifted the tide of opinion, simultaneously supporting authoritarian politics in certain states and engendering opposition to Belt and Road in others, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.