Belt and Road Initiative

Launched in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative is central to Xi Jinping's foreign policy. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China provides loans to countries to develop infrastructure. These infrastructure projects combine into a network of five land corridors and a maritime Silk Road. China portrays the Belt and Road initiative as a win-win situation, furthering trade and helping hitherto underdeveloped countries. However, critics warn that countries may not be able to pay back loans, becoming dependent on China.