Dyami Insights

Report by Puck Holthuis, Research Analyst Asia – Pacific — March 2021

China, Central Asia and the BRI: Developing

alliances and global influences

China’s economic and political influence in Central Asia is rapidly expanding. China’s Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI) strategically crosses through the region and onwards through Europe, aiming to improve the
welfare of these nations as well as that of China itself. However, the BRI’s effects do not stop there.

What is the BRI?

The BRI is an extensive route, stretching from Eastern China all the way to Latin America by land, sea and
cyberspace. Closely resembling the ancient Silk Road, the BRI is commonly referred to as the ‘New Silk
Road’. This route allowed for significant economic, cultural and religious development in the region
through which it ran 1400 years ago. Nevertheless, the Silk Road was gradually abandoned during the rise
and fall of various Eurasian empires. The new and improved BRI is comparable in size and includes 140
countries in five continents, their people together making up more than 60% of the world population. 1,2

The objectives of the BRI are numerous. They echo those of the Silk Road but are perhaps more ambitious
this time around. They include elevating economic prosperity in the countries along the route,
strengthening of their cultural and political ties and scaling up their infrastructure, to name a few. 3
However, there are more objectives to consider as well.

Figure I: Countries Participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, Owennson, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Dyami B.V. | info@dyami.services | www.dyami.services

Parijsboulevard 209 | 3541 CS Utrecht | The Netherlands | +31 30 207 2120
CoC: 76991377 | IBAN: NL93 BUNQ 2041 4574 81 | VAT: NL860865228B01 Page 1 of 4
 Central Asia and the BRI
The BRI has already proven itself valuable in
many aspects. In a timespan of three years
(2014-2017), the BRI resulted in $6 trillion in trade
between China and the participants of the BRI.
However, like many projects on a massive scale,
it is not a flawless endeavour. According to
China Power, $26 trillion is required for the
infrastructure of the BRI, of which China has
undertaken to give $1 trillion. A number of the
participating nations, however, simply don’t
have the funds to spend on this large
undertaking, leaving many of them taking loans
from China.
The original Silk Road also left a lasting
impression on the Central Asian nations that
are partaking again this time in terms of their
economy, culture and politics. Various nations
in Central Asia (e.g., Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and
Tajikistan) were, until recently, economically
dependent on Russia. Now, we are seeing a Figure II: Map of Pakistan, with Balochistan in the
dependency shift towards China. When we South and China bordering the North

zoom in on some of these individual

shareholders. The area around Gwadar Port
relationships, we quickly land on Pakistan and
lacks basic necessities such as electricity, and
China and their shared initiative of the China-
water is scarce. Development surrounding
Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
CPEC has been rather quiet, leaving many
promises of improved welfare unfulfilled.
CPEC and the Lives of Locals Balochs themselves are growing impatient with
The Gwadar Port in the province of Balochistan the little progress CPEC has thus far made, and
in the South of Pakistan is one strategic end of Baloch separatists, such as the Baloch Raaji
the CPEC, connected to the other end in Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) or the Balochistan
Kashgar, China. Balochistan is Pakistan’s Liberation Army (BLA), pose a growing threat to
poorest and most underdeveloped province. both Chinese and Pakistani government
Consequently, China’s investment in the region commercial activities in the region,
is a welcomed idea. In an interview in early condemning them as exploitative. 5,6

February, Pakistan’s president Arif Alvi said that These militant groups will continue to be
“[…] CPEC projects have greatly improved a (growing) concern both the Chinese and
Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy supply,” Pakistani government have to face. In fact, Yumi
and added that “[CPEC] will bring a large Washiyama of The Diplomat states that: “If the
number of job opportunities to the Pakistani BLA cannot be brought to the table or
people.” 4 completely dismantled, then the outlook for the
However, the local situation in security risk environment remains bleak.” Why,
Balochistan continues to present various then, does China continue its efforts to develop
difficulties to its residents and obstacles for BRI this area?

Dyami B.V. | info@dyami.services | www.dyami.services

Parijsboulevard 209 | 3541 CS Utrecht | The Netherlands | +31 30 207 2120
CoC: 76991377 | IBAN: NL93 BUNQ 2041 4574 81 | VAT: NL860865228B01 Page 2 of 4
Pakistan and China: cooperation and
interdependence
Despite the mentioned predicaments, Gwadar
is economically relevant and continues to be a
strategic entry point into China’s North-western
Xinjiang province, the country’s current ‘front-
gates’, which are an undeniably important part
of the BRI.7 In other words, Gwadar cannot be
missed from the BRI equation.
China’s investment can certainly help
alleviate poverty and foster the desired Figure III: Largely empty Gwadar Port, Balochistan,
development. Nevertheless, with more loans Pakistan [satellite imagery]. Hozint – Horizon
Intelligence, Political and Security risk monitor
taken out to facilitate the BRI’s progress,
[Horizon+]. Brussels, EU. Using MapBox and
Pakistan is increasingly dependent on China
OpenStreetMap contributors. Accessed on
and the Chinese economy for the country itself
19/02/2020.
to continue flourishing. This has created an
interdependent relationship between these two The BRI is all encompassing in the sense that
nations that, on the one hand withholds China the initiative could bring economic prosperity
from leaving Pakistan and, on the other hand, as well as stronger cultural ties in Central Asia
cultivates a stronger alliance. and China itself. Simultaneously, the BRI serves
Additionally, Gwadar serves another as a bridge from China to Europe and further
vital purpose. The development of the Gwadar West. This possibly brings with it new political
port, among other Pakistani regions, was dynamics and cultural influences from the East
previously an objective of both the USA and the to the West that may reshape our shared future.
Soviet Union.8 Pakistan played a key role in
times of conflict for these nations during the
Cold War, and billions were spent to develop the
region long thereafter. This plan failed, however,
and Southern Pakistan remains in an
uncompleted state today. 9

As a result, China has possibly taken an

interest in the region for this reason, too. With
the development of the Gwadar port, China is
taking on the challenge that powerful nations
have failed to overcome in the past. It gives
China a chance to showcase its relevance on
the global stage by proving it can succeed in
Gwadar. Additionally, the BRI and Gwadar in
particular grant China the opportunity to
develop and expand their economic, social and
political network in Central Asia and beyond.

Dyami B.V. | info@dyami.services | www.dyami.services

Parijsboulevard 209 | 3541 CS Utrecht | The Netherlands | +31 30 207 2120
CoC: 76991377 | IBAN: NL93 BUNQ 2041 4574 81 | VAT: NL860865228B01 Page 2 of 4
Cited Works:

1. China Power Team, “How will the Belt and Road

Initiative Advance China’s Interests?” China
Power, May 8, 2017. Updated August 26, 2020.
Accessed February 22, 2021. Available at:
https://chinapower.csis.org/china-belt-and-
road-intiative/
2. Christoph Nedopil, “Countries of the Bel and Road
Initiative,” IIGF Green BRI Center, 2021, Available at: Puck Holthuis
https://green-bri.org/countries-of-the-belt-
and-road-initiative-bri/ Puck is a master student Conflict Studies &
3. China Power Team, 2017. Human Rights at Utrecht University. She recently
4. ChinaDaily, “Pakistan-China Traditional
relocated back to The Netherlands after living
Friendship features people-to-people bonds,
says Pakistani president,” ChinaDaily, February 11,
abroad since 2006 spending most of her years
2021. Available at: in South Africa and China. She combines her
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202102/12/WS love for writing with her analytical capabilities,
6025cf61a31024ad0baa8c58.html shaping an ambitious young professional with
5. IHS Markit, “Country/Territory Report – Pakistan,”
global insights.
IHS Markit, December 1, 2020
6. Yumi Washiyama, “Balochi Militants Take Aim at
Chinese Interests,” The Diplomat, July 24, 2020.
Available at:
This article is a publication of the Dyami Early
https://thediplomat.com/2020/07/balochi- Warning for International Security (DEWIS)
militants-take-aim-at-chinese-interests/ Working Group, as part of the ‘Defending Chinese
7. Bob Rehorst, “Defending Chinese Strategic Strategic interests in the Eurasian Heartland’
Interests in the Eurasian Heartland: An
research project led by Anton Witchell-Chibber
introduction,” Dyami Insights, January, 2021
and Bob Rehorst.
8. Tim Marshall, Prisoners of Geography – Ten Maps
That Tell You Everything You Need To Know About
Global Politics (London: Elliott and Thompson
Limited, 2015), 395. This publication is copyright © Dyami BV.
9. Bloomberg Quicktake, “How China’s Flagship Belt
and Road Project Stalled Out,” YouTube, January
15, 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU1Ovrbaw
E8&t=486s.

Dyami B.V. | info@dyami.services | www.dyami.services

Parijsboulevard 209 | 3541 CS Utrecht | The Netherlands | +31 30 207 2120
CoC: 76991377 | IBAN: NL93 BUNQ 2041 4574 81 | VAT: NL860865228B01 Page 3 of 4