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2020 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

7. BRI and Central Asia

Authors : Pradumna B. Rana, Xianbai Ji

Published in: China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Publisher: Springer Singapore

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Abstract

The BRI has transformed Central Asia from a land-locked and ‘forgotten’ region to a land of economic opportunities. With the initiation of the BRI by China in 2013, the volume of intra-regional international trade and the inflow of foreign investment into the region have surged. The number of China-Europe trains transiting through Central Asia has also increased significantly. In addition to connectivity, the BRI has contributed to industrialisation and financial sector development in the Central Asian region. On the other hand, the BRI could lead to debt distress in several countries, with Tajikistan being particularly vulnerable. The BRI may have also aggravated Sinophobia in several Central Asian Republics. The BRI has to navigate a complex geopolitical environment in Central Asia. If implemented improperly, BRI infrastructure projects could worsen the region’s pre-existing geopolitical fault lines.

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Title: BRI and Central Asia
Authors: Pradumna B. Rana
Xianbai Ji
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Book: China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Print ISBN: 978-981-15-5170-3

Electronic ISBN: 978-981-15-5171-0

Copyright Year: 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5171-0_7