The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s ambitious global infrastructure and connectivity project, has captured the world’s attention with its far-reaching implications on geopolitics, economics, and development. While much of the discourse surrounding the BRI is framed by geopolitical narratives of major powers and top-down assessments, there is a crucial gap in understanding how Chinese citizens perceive the initiative.
Through a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with Chinese nationals, this article seeks to present a domestic perspective, offering first-hand insights into how the Chinese people conceive of the BRI and its global and domestic implications.
The BRI: More Than Just an Economic Project
The BRI, officially launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013, is often regarded as China’s most significant foreign policy instrument and economic initiative in decades. Its stated goals – such as expanding global trade networks, fostering international cooperation, and promoting mutual development – are undeniably lofty. However, despite its vast scale, the BRI is not just a foreign policy tool for China; it is also a transformative national project aimed at reshaping the domestic landscape.
In interviews conducted with a diverse group of Chinese citizens, including students, professionals, and academics, the common sentiment was that the BRI is seen as a pivotal element of China’s geopolitical strategy. As one interviewee explained, “The BRI is not just about roads or ports; it is about integrating China into the global economy and securing our place in it.” For many, the BRI represents an opportunity for China to diversify its economic and geopolitical interests while promoting stability and cooperation globally.
However, this idealistic view of the BRI is not universally shared.
While most respondents acknowledged the BRI’s potential economic benefits, they also recognized its challenges, particularly when balancing domestic priorities with international ambitions. The project’s global scope often raises concerns about China’s domestic development needs, especially in the western and rural regions, which still need many improvements in infrastructure and living standards. This led to a new question, “Why invest so much abroad when parts of China still need development?”
Globalization, Risk Management, and Geoeconomic Connectivity
One of the key insights that emerged from the interviews was the perception of the BRI as China’s answer to the challenges of globalization. In the face of rising global competition and geopolitical uncertainty, many Chinese citizens view the BRI as a way for China to safeguard its economic interests and foster a more equitable global system. Several interviewees expressed thoughts along these lines: “No state can live in isolation in the era of globalization. The BRI ensures a win-win situation by fostering economic ties and trade with other countries.”
In this sense, the BRI is not just a set of physical infrastructure projects but a broader geoeconomic strategy aimed at creating interconnected trade routes, facilitating investment, and securing access to critical resources. By linking regions such as Central Asia, Africa, and Europe, China hopes to secure its economic future while contributing to the growth of other nations.
However, this geoeconomic vision is not without its critics, both domestically and internationally. As noted above, some respondents expressed concerns that China’s focus on global infrastructure projects could lead the government to neglect critical domestic needs, particularly in the western and rural regions.
Despite these concerns, many Chinese citizens remain optimistic about the BRI’s long-term benefits. Some argued that it is a part of the strategy to develop western China by integrating it with the global economy. “China is the world’s industrial center, and the BRI opens more markets while enhancing existing trade relations,” said one respondent. This sentiment reflects a belief in China’s growing role as a global economic power and the potential for the BRI to create new markets for Chinese products, further propelling the country’s economic growth.
The BRI as a Cultural and Soft Power Initiative
Beyond its economic and geopolitical dimensions, the BRI is also perceived as a cultural initiative – an effort by China to project its soft power on the global stage. In interviews with Chinese citizens, many highlighted the BRI’s role in promoting traditional Chinese culture and fostering people-to-people exchanges. “The BRI is an opportunity to showcase traditional Chinese culture and values to the world, promoting a harmonious global environment,” one participant noted.
In a world where China faces growing skepticism and negative perceptions, particularly in the West, the BRI is seen as a tool for countering anti-China narratives and enhancing China’s global image. Respondents argued that cultural diplomacy through the BRI allows China to present itself as a benevolent global leader, promoting cooperation and mutual benefit. This shift toward soft power is seen as a strategic response to international criticism and a genuine effort to foster deeper ties with other nations.
Diverging Models of Leadership: Collectivism vs. Individualism
A recurring theme throughout the interviews was the contrast between China’s collectivist approach to leadership and the individualistic, often unilateral approach favored by the West. Many respondents viewed the BRI as an embodiment of China’s commitment to cooperation, shared development, and mutual benefit. “The U.S. believes in individualism and unilateral dominance, while China believes in collectivism and win-win cooperation,” explained one participant.
This collectivist narrative is central to China’s self-image as a responsible global actor. For many Chinese citizens, the BRI represents an effort to promote a more inclusive and cooperative international system that contrasts with the often competitive and hegemonic nature of Western-led global institutions. In this context, the BRI is seen not just as a strategy for economic growth but as a way to reshape global governance and promote a more equitable world order.
Addressing Regional Inequalities: The Case of Western China
One of the most critical domestic implications of the BRI is its potential to address the long-standing regional disparities within China. The western provinces, such as Xinjiang, Gansu, and Qinghai, have long been underdeveloped compared to China’s coastal areas. With its emphasis on infrastructure development, the BRI is seen as a way to bridge this gap and integrate the Western regions into the national and global economy.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of the BRI, has played a significant role in this effort. Several respondents noted that CPEC is transforming western China by improving transportation infrastructure, creating industrial hubs, and providing access to international markets. “CPEC has opened up Western China to the world,” said one interviewee.
In addition to CPEC, developing other key corridors, such as the China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor and the New Eurasian Land Bridge, is expected to boost trade and economic integration for China’s western regions. By enhancing connectivity between western China and key global markets, the BRI has the potential to stimulate industrial growth, reduce poverty, and promote balanced regional development.
Domestic vs. International Investments: A Delicate Balance
Despite the hopes that the BRI will stoke development within China itself, concerns remain. One of the most pressing questions during the interviews was why China prioritizes substantial investments abroad through the BRI while many parts of the country remain underdeveloped. The responses revealed a nuanced perspective, with most participants acknowledging the need for global investments while also recognizing the importance of addressing domestic challenges.
“There is no doubt that China’s global ambitions are important, but we also need to ensure that the benefits of the BRI reach our less-developed regions,” said one respondent.
Many interviewees expressed confidence that the BRI’s long-term benefits would eventually reach the western provinces, with infrastructure projects and international trade creating new opportunities for economic growth. However, some also raised concerns about the pace of development and the need for greater focus on domestic issues.
For many Chinese citizens, the government’s approach to balancing domestic and international investments reflects a belief in the country’s strategic foresight. By and large, interviewees trust that the government’s long-term development plans will address regional disparities, even if it requires patience and careful planning. The BRI, they argue, is part of a larger strategy to position China as a global leader while also improving the lives of its citizens, especially those in underdeveloped areas.
A Complex and Evolving Narrative
The BRI is undoubtedly one of China’s most ambitious and transformative initiatives, with far-reaching implications for domestic and international politics. This article has sought to offer a deeper understanding of how the BRI is perceived on the ground through interviews and surveys with Chinese citizens.
While many Chinese citizens view the BRI as a positive force for global cooperation and economic development, there are concerns about its potential impact on domestic inequalities. China’s challenge will be balancing its international ambitions with the pressing need for domestic development, especially in underdeveloped regions. As the BRI continues to evolve, it will be crucial for China to address these concerns while ensuring that all its citizens feel the initiative’s benefits.
Ultimately, the BRI is more than just a foreign policy strategy; it reflects China’s vision for its future, which is deeply interconnected with the rest of the world. The domestic perception of the BRI reveals a complex, multifaceted narrative that highlights the opportunities and challenges inherent in China’s grand vision.