May 2019 - As China’s influence expands globally, experts identify concerns

May 13, 2019

As China’s influence expands globally, experts identify concerns

China’s bid for more influence through regional and global partnerships has led to increased scrutiny. Johns Hopkins SAIS experts explore the potential impact of China investing in infrastructure and development projects throughout the globe.

Peter G. Peterson Distinguished Scholar at the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs John Lipsky told attendees at a lecture on Chinese trade covered by C-SPAN that with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, “there are issues of debt transparency, the planning process, and whether procurement is going to be seen as fair and open internationally.” Watch here.

Bernard L. Schwartz Professor of Political Economy and Director of the China Africa Research Initiative Deborah Bräutigam wrote in The American Interest that Chinese investment in African countries’ infrastructure projects is, “quite attractive to many low-income countries and we [the U.S.] do not have the tools to offer something better.” Read more.

Foreign Policy Institute Fellow Shamila Chaudhary noted during testimony before the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs that the repercussions of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project “stand to dwarf any comparable American influence” in Pakistan. Watch here.

Majid Khadduri Professor of Middle East Studies and International Affairs Vali Nasr discussed how “the future global order is being shaped and unfolding in Asia” at the World Economic Forum earlier this year and told attendees that it will “coalesce around a U.S.-China competition; one may dare say a U.S.-China cold war” that is driven by trade. Watch here.

The Brief highlights Johns Hopkins SAIS expertise on current events and is produced monthly by the Office of Marketing and Communications.