China’s Belt and Road investment hits record high since 2018

China’s investment in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries surged to its highest level since 2018, reaching nearly USD50bn in overseas projects last year, an 80% increase from 2022. This boost has elevated total engagement with the 150 participating countries to over USD1tr since the initiative’s 2013 inception, according to a collaborative report from Griffith University and Fudan University. The investment expansion, particularly in high-technology and electric-vehicle manufacturing, reflects China’s strategic shift towards smaller, high-value projects amid global scrutiny of its lending practices. Despite domestic economic challenges, China’s commitment to the BRI, with a focus on renewable energy and mining technologies, remains strong, aiming to maintain or exceed 2023’s investment levels.