The challenges of implementing the Belt and road initiative

Abstract

Launched in 2013, the Belt and road initiative proposed new land and sea corridors to enhance global logistics connectivity. China presented this initiative as a new cooperation framework in international affairs, grounded in openness, inclusiveness, and mutual advantage. At the same time, the declared objectives and operational scope of the mentioned ini­tiative have raised concerns regarding its potential to project Chinese hegemony, which presents significant implementation challenges. Competition from established regional economic integration projects constitutes a further obstacle. These initiatives encompass multilateral associations such as the EAEU and the ASEAN, alongside national strategies like Mongolia’s «Steppe road», Indonesia’s «Maritime axis of peace», and South Korea’s «K-Silk Road». Regional disputes compound these difficulties, particularly the India – Pakistan conflict and civil wars across the Arab world. This study examines these impediments and evaluates China’s proposed strategies to address them.