Washington DC, November
The US officials and members of think-tanks said the Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI), which was introduced by the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, is fine if it is only for economy and infrastructure development purpose. They said that they have a concern about countries sovereignty, transparency, and accountability in the world.
Speaking with journalists of South Asian during the 'Amplifying the Indo-Pacific Strategy', they said that the US is always happy to see the countries of the world getting better in-term-of economy and infrastructure field. The US officials and think-tanks members warned over China that in the name of economy and infrastructure development's face, China shouldn't come out with security and strategic plan behind that.
They said China shouldn't cross their economic line through BRI in the world. They said the US always support and favor of BRI (also known as One Belt and One Road) 's plan 'A' which is economic development. But the USA will not support plan 'B' of BRI which is security and strategic point of view.
They said how the BRI is framed is dangerous. "The land route and maritime route almost capture the strategic part of the world especially Asia and Europe," US official and think-tank's people said. China has planned around $8 trillion for BRI and it is expected to stretch from East Asia to East Africa and Central Europe.
Satu Limaye, the Director of East-West Center in Washington and also the Director of Asia Matters for America initiative, said many countries has signed BRI and China has the right to invest in infrastructure. "But there is a concern about countries sovereignty and debt trap," he said, adding, the US always look after free, legal and competitive market.
Most of the official and think-tank members said though the BRI is a positive part in the economy and infrastructure development of the country there is also concern about accountability. The US also said the Chinese investment has harmed the countries than help. In the name of Belt and Road initiatives, China has announced 26 trillion dollars projects. China has been working in 138 countries till now all over the world.
Alice G. Wells, Principal Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of South and Central Asia for the USA, said today projects that have Chinese built has no commercial values. “There we can see undermining the sovereignty of the country,” she said, adding, Chinese investment pull countries in debts.
The Hambantota port, which was built by Chinese and later took over for a lease from the Sir Lankan government for 99 years, is the key concern in Washington DC. Also mentioning Malaysia’s Chinese investment, Wells said sovereignty is also the main concern of the counties. She also said there should be transparent and open competition while investing for the projects.
The Hambantota port is not going to take economic advantage from that port whereas they might use it as a security and strategic tools in the Indian Ocean. Srilanka is silk route of BRI.