At $1000bn, China’s Belt and Road Initiative is arguably the largest overseas investment drive ever launched by a single country. How are BRI projects across Asia and Europe progressing after a big spurt in activity following the maiden announcement of 2013? By Stefania Palma.
Building the belt and road

Slow progress for Indonesia’s BRI high-speed railway
April 3, 2018China’s Belt and Road Initiative is set to include the first high-speed railway in Indonesia, but questions linger on the funding prospects for the $6bn project. Nikkei staff writer Erwida Maulia reports.

Laos seeks to unlock its potential with Chinese rail project
April 3, 2018Languishing down the development table, land-locked Laos is investing heavily in a joint venture to build a rail link between its capital and the Chinese border. Peter Janssen reports.

Is Sri Lanka latest to fall into a China debt trap?
April 3, 2018Indebtedness to China has obliged Sri Lanka to hand over a major port to its financier. Is this an emerging pattern in Asia? Nikkei staff writer Yuji Kuronuma reports.

Bangladesh turns attention towards China
April 3, 2018While some Belt and road Initiative projects have slowed in Bangladesh, the country’s enormous infrastructure needs and fast pace of growth make it an enticing partner for China. Stefania Palma reports.

India opts for path of BRI resistance
April 3, 2018India has officially rejected being any part of the Belt and Road Initiative. However, Chinese capital is still being put into the country's infrastructure projects. Stefania Palma reports.

Will Gwadar cement a strong China-Pakistan relationship?
April 3, 2018Amid the China-funded infrastructure push in Pakistan, concerns are starting to mount about rising deficits. Go Yamada, Nikkei senior deputy editor, reports.

Kazakhstan's wait for a Belt and Road boom goes on
April 3, 2018China and Kazakhstan have signed many agreements for the Belt and Road Initiative but tangible projects have yet to materialise. Chinese investors blame red tape, while Kazakhs express concern over land reforms and the environment, as Nikkei Asian Review contributing writer Naubet Bisenov reports.
Will Poland be Europe's Belt and Road winner?
April 3, 2018Poland looks set to be a key EU beneficiary of China's Belt and Road Initiative, but how will that tie in with the country's EU membership? Stefanie Linhardt investigates.