Bangladesh and the Belt and Road: How Bangladesh Fits into China’s Global Ambition

As Western powers push back against Beijing’s influence, Bangladesh’s strategic choices are under scrutiny

Tanvir Rusmat Dhaka, November 11, 2025

As China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) turns ten, the world remains divided over whether it is a pathway to shared growth or a tool of strategic influence. Beijing hails the BRI as a force for cooperation, linking continents through trade and transport. Yet in Western capitals, it is seen as a bid to expand China’s global reach through debt and diplomacy.

According to Chinese data, trade among BRI partners has exceeded US$30 trillion, with thousands of projects completed across Asia, Africa, and Europe. China portrays the initiative as a driver of recovery and connectivity. The United States, European Union, and Japan, however, have launched rival frameworks- such as Build Back Better World and Global Gateway- to offer alternative financing and counter Beijing’s influence.

Debt distress has become the BRI’s most persistent controversy. Nations such as Sri Lanka, Kenya, Zambia, and Pakistan have struggled to service Chinese loans. Sri Lanka’s 99-year lease of Hambantota Port to a Chinese company remains the most cited example of so-called “debt-trap diplomacy.”

Still, economists caution against oversimplification. Weak governance and poor project appraisal in recipient countries often compound financial risks. Both the World Bank and IMF warn that infrastructure investment “does not automatically translate into sustainable growth.” The IMF’s 2024 paper urged countries to conduct strict feasibility and social-impact assessments before borrowing heavily.

For Bangladesh, a prominent BRI partner, the initiative has brought tangible benefits and underlying risks. Chinese-backed ventures such as the Padma Rail Link, Karnaphuli Tunnel, and Payra Port have strengthened the nation’s transport network and industrial capacity.

Yet economists urge prudence. “China’s investments are important, but project selection and debt management must be careful,” said Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem of Dhaka University. “If the terms are not financially sustainable, the benefits could easily turn into burdens.”

Amid rising scrutiny, Beijing is recalibrating the BRI. At the 2023 Belt and Road Forum, President Xi Jinping promised a focus on “high-quality cooperation,” highlighting green growth, digital connectivity, and innovation over large-scale construction. Analysts interpret this as a shift toward transparency and local participation.

“The BRI is evolving,” noted Laura Wexler of the Overseas Development Institute. “Financing alone isn’t enough anymore- it must build trust and local capacity.”

In Washington, skepticism persists. The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee recently praised Panama for ending its BRI partnership, calling it “a positive step toward safeguarding sovereignty from Chinese influence.” Such moves underscore how infrastructure investment has become central to the broader contest for global leadership.

For Bangladesh and other developing economies, the challenge lies in striking a balance between opportunity and dependence. As global power dynamics shift, the Belt and Road stands at a crossroads- both a promise of progress and a test of sovereignty.

Whether it becomes a bridge to prosperity or a battleground for influence will depend on how China and its partners manage the next decade of ambition and accountability.