BEIJING – China is trying to create its own globally decisive naval forcethrough the ambitious multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative, thePentagon has told the US Congress, warning that Beijing’s “unfavourabledeals” strangle a nation’s sovereignty like an Anaconda enwrapping its nextmeal.
Touted as President Xi Jinping’s pet project, China is vigorously pursuingthe Belt and Road initiative (BRI), offering billions of dollars of loansfor infrastructure projects to different countries as it looks to expandglobal influence.
“China’s Belt and Road Initiative in particular is blending diplomatic,economic, military, and social elements of its national power in an attemptto create its own globally decisive naval force,” John Richardson, Chief ofNaval Operations, told members of House Armed Services Committee during aCongressional hearing on Thursday.
“China’s modus operandi preys off nations’ financial vulnerabilities. Theycontract to build commercial ports, promise to upgrade domestic facilities,and invest in national infrastructure projects,” he said.
The BRI focuses on improving connectivity and cooperation among Asiancountries, Africa, China and Europe.
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The project has become a major stumbling block in India-China relations asthe controversial USD 60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)has been listed as its “flagship project”.
India has objected to the CPEC as it is being laid through the Azad Landnor and boycotted a high-profile Belt and Road Forum organised by Chinalast year.
