A Suspicious Opportunity: A Huge Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of the PRC

Abstract

The Government of the People's Republic of China (RRC) under Xi Jinping has launched multilateral cooperation between countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia in a collaborative project called Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). BRI is a reconstruction along the old silk road by building infrastructure and increasing the openness of China's economy and politics. The project has gained support from many no less than 65countries involved in BRI. The huge infrastructure development that connects these three continents allows civilization to grow even further. However, a close observation of the characteristics of the PRC's infrastructure development shows neglect of ecological and environmental sustainability. Utilizing the qualitative method which allows the authors to get the data with literature study, this paper argues that in addition to providing opportunities for extensive infrastructure development, BRI also carries the risk of ecological damage and environmental issues. Considering ecological and environmental risks, BRI is a very extraordinary opportunity but also a suspicious project.