The Economist: 中國在亞洲的巨額投資未能為其買到軟實力
摘要:
作者/Author(s): Banyan
原文來源/Source: The Economist
日期/Date: 04/05/2023
主題/Key Topics : BRI, Economic, Soft Power
摘要:
北京政府將 「一帶一路」譽為21世紀大工程，並且在全球大約約150個國家進行基礎設施投資。但西方國家，甚至是接受一帶一路援助國家的政策制定者都批評一帶一路會帶來腐敗、環境污染和破壞國內政治穩定。雖然一帶一路證明了中國強大的經濟影響力，但它未能促進良好的治理和國家穩定。
印尼高速鐵路(雅萬高鐵)就是各國批評一帶一路的重要例子。當時中國企業以不需要印尼政府擔保，以及與日本企業提出的艱難條件相比更低的項目融資為理由，成功獲得了雅萬高鐵這個項目。然而雅萬高鐵目前的進度嚴重落後原先的計劃，超出預算，同時也存在其他爭議。
不過當時大部分項目是握在印尼公司手上，而中國主要是透過中國開發銀行提高印尼高度優惠貸款，所以中國利用這一點來反駁各國對其一帶一路「債務陷阱」的指責。雖然中國花費2400億美元來救助一些國家，其中大部分是一帶一路的受援國—最顯著的例子是斯里蘭卡將漢班托塔港租給中國—但這對斯里蘭卡的民族自豪感造成了重大打擊。
毫無疑問，中國是東南亞最具影響力的戰略大國，但許多人對其崛起感到憂慮。中國必須展示一帶一路的良好和現實形象，以確保經濟外交的雙贏。
印尼高速鐵路(雅萬高鐵)就是各國批評一帶一路的重要例子。當時中國企業以不需要印尼政府擔保，以及與日本企業提出的艱難條件相比更低的項目融資為理由，成功獲得了雅萬高鐵這個項目。然而雅萬高鐵目前的進度嚴重落後原先的計劃，超出預算，同時也存在其他爭議。
不過當時大部分項目是握在印尼公司手上，而中國主要是透過中國開發銀行提高印尼高度優惠貸款，所以中國利用這一點來反駁各國對其一帶一路「債務陷阱」的指責。雖然中國花費2400億美元來救助一些國家，其中大部分是一帶一路的受援國—最顯著的例子是斯里蘭卡將漢班托塔港租給中國—但這對斯里蘭卡的民族自豪感造成了重大打擊。
毫無疑問，中國是東南亞最具影響力的戰略大國，但許多人對其崛起感到憂慮。中國必須展示一帶一路的良好和現實形象，以確保經濟外交的雙贏。
Summary:
The Beijing government hailed the BRI as the project of the century, with infrastructure investment in around 150 countries worldwide. Yet, the West and even policymakers in recipient countries criticized the BRI for encouraging corruption, environmental pollution, and destabilizing domestic politics. While BRI proved China's strong economic influence, it failed to promote good governance and national stability.
The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project is an example of criticism of BRI. Chinese companies got the project by offering no Indonesian government guarantee needed and cheaper project financing compared to tougher terms proposed by Japanese companies. However, the project fell behind schedule and exceeded the budget, along with other controversies.
Indonesian companies owned most of the project with a highly concessional loan from the Chinese Development Bank, which China used to rebuke the "debt-trap" accusation. Yet, China spent $240 billion to bail out some countries, mostly BRI recipients, most evident with the surrender of Hambantota Port by Sri Lanka to a Chinese company. It also dealt a big blow to Sri Lanka's national pride.
Undoubtedly, China is the most influential strategic power in South East Asia, but many are concerned with its rise. China must show a good and realistic image of the BRI to secure win-win economic diplomacy.
The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project is an example of criticism of BRI. Chinese companies got the project by offering no Indonesian government guarantee needed and cheaper project financing compared to tougher terms proposed by Japanese companies. However, the project fell behind schedule and exceeded the budget, along with other controversies.
Indonesian companies owned most of the project with a highly concessional loan from the Chinese Development Bank, which China used to rebuke the "debt-trap" accusation. Yet, China spent $240 billion to bail out some countries, mostly BRI recipients, most evident with the surrender of Hambantota Port by Sri Lanka to a Chinese company. It also dealt a big blow to Sri Lanka's national pride.
Undoubtedly, China is the most influential strategic power in South East Asia, but many are concerned with its rise. China must show a good and realistic image of the BRI to secure win-win economic diplomacy.