Bibliography
Aaltola, Mika, and Juha Käpylä. “U.S. and Chinese Silk Road Initiatives: Towards a Geopolitics
of Flows in Central Asia and Beyond.” The Regional Security Puzzle around
Afghanistan: Bordering Practices in Central Asia and Beyond, edited by Helena
Rytövuori-Apunen, 1st ed., Verlag Barbara Budrich, Opladen; Berlin; Toronto, 2016, pp.
207–242. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvbkjzm0.14. Accessed 19 Jan. 2020.
This source introduces the Belt and Road Initiative as well as its geopolitical influence in Central Asia. Instead of discussing the economy of Central Asia, it discusses the geopolitical aspects of the BRI, and I used it for the general geopolitical analysis in my thesis.
Albert, Eleanor, and Lindsay Maizland. “What Is ASEAN?” Council on Foreign Relations,
Council on Foreign Relations, 20 Dec. 2019, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-asean.
This is a general introduction of what the organization of ASEAN is. This source includes the countries in ASEAN, the history, how it works, the economic progress, and the regional security challenges. It’s an overview of ASEAN and I used it for the general description.
Arase, David. "China’s Two Silk Roads Initiative: What it Means for Southeast Asia."
Southeast Asian Affairs, 2015, pp. 25-45. ProQuest,
https://search.proquest.com/docview/1771681484?accountid=338.
This source talks about the parts that the Belt and Road has--the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Silk Road Economic Belt. One is a land route and the other is a water route. The source especially focuses on the economic and political agenda in ASEAN, which president Xi Jinping coined the term “the community of shared fate.”
“Asean Is Perfectly Positioned to Profit from the US-China Trade War.” South China
Morning Post, 16 Oct. 2018, https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/geopolitics/article/2168703/chinas-trade-war-pain-can-be-aseans-gain-how-southeast-asia.
This source detailed the general political environment of some Southeast Asian countries and their history with China. It also described their distinct trading with China. ASEAN is perfectly positioned to benefit from the trade war, because both the United States and China will seek alternative trading partners. China’s relationship with ASEAN is improving every year as physical connections are made, and huge economic benefits for both parties are underway.
“Bandar Malaysia Master Plan.” SOM, www.som.com/projects/bandar_malaysia_master_plan.
This source introduces Bandar Malaysia, one of the three most important BRI projects in Malaysia. Bandar Malaysia turns a former military base into a space of recreation and technology. I used this plan to not only go in detail about the project, but also introduce it within the bigger picture of BRI in Malaysia and ASEAN.
“The Belt and Road Initiative – the ASEAN Perspective.” Egmont Institute, 4 Mar.
2019, http://www.egmontinstitute.be/the-belt-and-road-initiative-the-asean-perspective/.
This source talks about BRI’s political and mainly economic influence on ASEAN from a solely ASEAN perspective. It puts these countries into three categories regarding their attitudes of acceptance of BRI: most eager countries (Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar), needy but assertive (Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), and Reticent (Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia). It also points out that some ASEAN countries are seeking alternative trading partners including Japan, the US, and India.
Belt & Road News. “Financing and Funding for the Belt & Road Initiative - Belt & Road
News.” Belt Road News, Belt & Road News, 17 May 2019, www.beltandroad.news/2019/05/17/financing-and-funding-for-the-belt-road-initiative/.
This article explains the financing and funding for the BRI--banks. It introduces the policy banks, state-owned banks, and international banks that fund the BRI. I talked about the funding of the BRI when I brought up the concern that BRI might not be able to fund its multi-billion projects. Some of the most important funding sources are the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund.
Blanchard, Jean-Marc F. "China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI) and Southeast
Asia: A Chinese 'Pond' Not 'Lake' in the Works." Journal of Contemporary China, vol.
27, no. 111, 2018, pp. 329-343. ProQuest,
https://search.proquest.com/docview/2023725174?accountid=338.
This article offers the background for MSRI, another name for the Belt and Road Initiative. It lists the economic and political foundation for success, the economic and political goals and implications in Southeast Asian countries. Turns out, although China only emphasizes its win-win aim through cooperation with Southeastern countries, its geopolitical goals are undeniable to Southeastern countries that are becoming more and more cautious about China’s influence. Economic gains are unalienable to geopolitical goals.
“BRI Projects in ASEAN: Implementation, Mechanism and Suggestions.” China Development
Institute,
Http://En.cdi.org.cn/Images/Research/Reports/2019/Bri-Projects-in-Asean-Compressed.pdf, 26 June 2019.
This source describes ASEAN as a key player in the implementation of the BRI. To accelerate its unlimited momentum and the huge economic boost brought by the BRI, ASEAN has linked its Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 to the BRI. I used this article to explain the details of ASEAN cooperation with China.
Cai, Peter. Understanding China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Lowy Institute for International
Policy, 2017, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep10136. Accessed 7 Feb. 2020.
This article explains the BRI’s underlying domestic focus from the Chinese perspective. One of the important goals of the BRI is to solve the economic regional disparities as the country modernises. Building infrastructure in China’s underdeveloped area such as the west. It also helps China’s surplus factories to develop in new markets.
Chan, Irene. Current Trends in Southeast Asian Responses to the Belt and the Road
Initiative. Edited by Sam Bateman et al., S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, 2017, pp. 42–51, ASEAN and the Indian Ocean: the Key Maritime Links,
www.jstor.org/stable/resrep05888.10.
This source details the importance of Southeast Asia as one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. Chan argues that China does not have a specific plan for BRI in Southeast Asia, however, Southeast Asia has a plan for itself--its many treaties. ASEAN should stay away from Chinese help and be more cautious about BRI, because China has been offering more and more practical infrastructure construction in the region. However, the source also lists countries in southeast asia that are enjoying cooperation with China. First stating the author’s opinion about the prospect of BRI in ASEAN, however, the fact is that cooperation is going really well despite the potential caution.
Chang, Felix K. “A Faint Breeze of Change: Malaysia's Relations with China.” Foreign Policy
Research Institute, Asia Program, 8 Jan. 2020, www.fpri.org/article/2020/01/a-faint-breeze-of-change-malaysias-relations-with-china/.
This article explains that even though the disputes in the South China Sea is not to be overlooked, China and Malaysia have had closer ties because of Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak. Razak is not so vocal about Malaysia’s concerns with the BRI and is one of the most pro-China prime ministers. This contrasts starkly with his successor.
Cook, Malcolm. “Southeast Asia And The Major Powers”: Engagement
Not Entanglement.” Southeast Asian Affairs, 2014, pp. 37–52., www.jstor.org/stable/44112064.
This source examines the competitive relationships among ASEAN, the growing dominance of Indonesia in Southeast Asia and the growing power of Japan and India pitted against China. This is particularly pertinent to my thesis because it examines the political environments among Asian countries, including major powers like the United States, Japan, China and India in detail. It stresses the importance of countries in ASEAN cooperating and making friends with each other.
Dollar, David. “The AIIB and the 'One Belt, One Road'.” Brookings, Brookings, 7 Sept. 2017,
www.brookings.edu/opinions/the-aiib-and-the-one-belt-one-road/.
This source describes one of the most important funding sources of the BRI--the AIIB, aka the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. I used this article to explain how the AIIB is one effective funding for the BRI.
Freeman, Carla P., and Mie Ōba. “Bridging the Belt and Road Divide.” Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace, 10 Oct. 2019, carnegieendowment.org/2019/10/10/bridging-belt-and-road-divide-pub-80019.
This is another inclusive source that talks about the BRI. It includes China’s perspective, ASEAN’s perspective, and the geopolitical and economic goals of the BRI. I used it on my geopolitical and economic sections, as well as when I explained the potential risks.
“Full Interview: Mahathir Talks About China and Malaysian Politics.” Youtube. South China
Morning Post, 19 June 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjl7d0Ongn4
This is an interview where the recently resigned prime minister Mahathir talks about the relationships that he sees Malaysia should have with China in the future. In the trade and investment dimension, he especially talked about his vision that Malaysia only welcomes an increase of jobs and economic prosperity for Malaysia that China brings along with its investments, and not just a market for China to move its factories to.
Hong, Liu and Guanie Lim. The Political Economy of a Rising China in Southeast Asia:
Malaysia's Response to the Belt and Road Initiative. 27 Sept. 2018, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10670564.2018.1511393.
This article talks about Malaysia as an example of Southeast Asia. It points out that the three key conditions that determine the outcome of the interaction between Malaysia and China are Malaysia’s pro-China policies, the congruence of state and federal authorities, and the geopolitical interests satisfying both China and Malaysia.
“The Impact of BRI on Trade and Investment in ASEAN.” CARI, 30 Oct. 2018,
This article focuses specifically on the trade and investment of the BRI. It talks about ASEAN infrastructure needs and trade facilitation, the impact of the BRI on trade and investment in ASEAN, and BRI-driven projects in ASEAN.
Jain, Romi. “China’s Economic Expansion in South Asia: Strengths, Challenges and
Opportunities.” Indian Journal of Asian Affairs, vol. 31, no. 1/2, 2018, pp. 21–36.
China has expanded to pit against India in its regional influence in Southeast Asia. This article examines both the advantages and the potential risks that China that the BRI has in Southeast Asia when expanding in the region.
Jaipragas, Bhavan. “Malaysia, China and Vietnam in Fresh South China Sea Stand-Off.” South
China Morning Post, 22 Feb. 2020, www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3051889/malaysia-china-and-vietnam-dangerous-ongoing-game-chicken-south.
This article talks about one of the main reasons for the clashes between Malaysia and China—the disputes in the South China Sea. Malaysia and Vietnam are the two countries in Southeast Asia that have the most frequent amount of crashes on the issue.
Jakarta Post. “Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway on Track as CREC Installs First Box
Girder.” The Jakarta Post, 19 Dec. 2019,
www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/12/19/jakarta-bandung-high-speed-railway-on-track-
As-first-box-girder-erected.html.
This article talks about the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, one of the three most important BRI projects in Malaysia. I used the details in this article to describe not only The railway itself but also the big picture that represents the BRI’s cooperation with Southeast Asia nations.
Lee, John. “How Best to Counter China's 'Belt and Road' Plan.” TheHill, The Hill, 25 Feb. 2020,
thehill.com/opinion/international/484481-how-best-to-counter-chinas-belt-and-road-plan.
JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26608821. Accessed 25 Feb. 2020.
This article argues that the BRI is just a Chyna centric scheme and to promote China’s international influence instead of bringing actual benefit to the cooperating countries. It provides a view on the BRI held by the non-supporting countries and the bigger world players like the US. I used this article to develop a counter argument or the concerns that are raised internationally.
Li, Apple. “Trade War Hits BRI Financings.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 8 July 2019,
https://www.reuters.com/article/trade-war-hits-bri-financings-idUSL8N24939A.
Banks will reassess or even reject some BRI deals that might be exposed to US tariff. However, banks are likely to keep supporting BRI projects in countries not exposed to these risks, including certain those in ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam and other countries that will be likely to benefit from the trade war.
Lindberg, Kari, and Tripti Lahiri. “From Asia to Africa, China's ‘Debt-Trap Diplomacy’ Was
under Siege in 2018.” Quartz, Quartz, 11 July 2019,
qz.com/1497584/how-chinas-debt-trap-diplomacy-came-under-siege-in-2018/.
This article offers the explanation of the concept of the “debt-trap policy,” a concern raised about the intention of the PRI and its effects. Death trap forms when a loan is not able to be repaid.
Liu, Hongxia. “Economic Watch: AIIB President Says BRI Promising.” Xinhua Net, 10
May 2019, www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-05/10/c_138049029.htm.
This is another article on the funding of the BRI by AIIB, aka Asian infrastructure Investment Bank from the perspective of the AIIB president. According to the president, the AIIB is supportive of the BRI and thinks that its projects are promising and able to be fulfilled.
Ma, Sulwen. “From Made in China to Made by China: Economic and Geopolitical Implications
of the Belt and Road Initiative.” Menlo School,
https://www.menloschool.org/live/profiles/796-from-made-in-china-to-made-by-china-ec
onomic-and/_ingredients/templates/roundtable/article.
This is an article by a high school student that analyzes the economic and geopolitical implications of the BRI. I used this article to explain the evolution of the name “belt and road initiative” from the “silk road” to “one belt one road” to its final name.
“Malaysia Is Back on the BRI.” The ASEAN Post, 20 Apr. 2019,
theaseanpost.com/article/malaysia-back-bri.
This article talks about after the suspension of several BRI projects by Malaysia, Malaysia is back on track to cooperate with China through the BRI. This incorporates the two recent Prime Minister‘s opinions on China and the BRI.
I used the information in this article on the political aspect of my Malaysia section.
“Malaysia Seized $240 Million from Chinese Company over Pipeline Project: PM Mahathir.”
Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 16 July 2019, www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-china/malaysia-seized-240-million-from-chinese-company-over-pipeline-project-pm-mahathir-idUSKCN1UA1DU.
This is a report of the most recent Prime Minister Mahathir claiming that Malaysia seized more than 1 billion ringgit ($243.5 million) from a bank account of state-owned China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering (CPP) over incomplete pipeline projects. This shows the Prime Minister‘s conscious attitude towards BRI projects and the prompt response that he gives when a project isn’t finished.
“Malaysia's Forest City to Hand over 20,000 Units This Year.” South China Morning Post, 10
Sept. 2019, www.scmp.com/business/article/3026354/malaysias-forest-city-handover-more-20000-residential-units-year-it.
This article talks about one of the three most important BRI projects in Malaysia—Forest City. Forest City is a large piece of land that will be turned into a city with a golf course. I use this article in my Forest City section
Mallory, Walter H. “Chinese Minorities in Southeast Asia.” Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs
Magazine, 11 Oct. 2011,
www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/southeast-asia/1956-01-01/chinese-minorities-southeast-
Asia.
This article talks about the important role that Chinese minorities play in the political arena in Southeast Asia. Chinese minorities promote the Malaysia states and governmental players to have a more pro China attitude through their cultural identities with China and their roots in China.
Mcdermid, Charles. "US-China Trade War Divides Southeast Asia, Belt and Road
Fears Unite it: Survey."ProQuest, Jan 09, 2019,
https://search.proquest.com/docview/2164994631?accountid=338.
This source talks about the optimism and pessimism of intra-relationships among ASEAN from expert perspectives and surveys on regional trade pacts within ASEAN. Experts claim that China is a strong economic power and trade clashes with the United States would not harm their economy or the economy of neighboring countries. Indications of ASEAN’s steady economic growth in the upcoming years are also very strong. However, surveys of countries involved in regional trade agreements such as RCEP and CTPTT do not show optimistic views of ratification or ASEAN’s stability to weather through the US-China trade war. Explanations for these skepticisms are domestic concerns within each ASEAN country and their lack of participation in some of the treaties. A survey on ASEAN countries with BRI infrastructure (all ASEAN but Singapore) has expressed more concern about economic downfall with BRI over benefits.
Nambiar, Predeep. “Asean May Be Forced to Pick Sides in a Superpower Contest, Says Expert.”
Free Malaysia Today, 8 Aug. 2019,
This article defines The Association of Southeast Asian as not a tight-knit supranational force like the EU. Therefore, it will face a grave decision—to pick sides—in the US China trade war. The association will not lean towards one side but instead will separate and then towards the country according to each individual ASEAN country’s national interest. This is detrimental to the original integrity of Southeast Asia.
Ng, Eric. “Trade War, Financing Transparency to Boost Belt and Road Projects.” South China
Morning Post, 19 May 2019,
https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3010819/us-china-trade-war-financial
-transparency-spur-more-belt-and.
The US-China trade war will lead to more projects and investments in BRI. There are concerns about China being stuck in its own debt trap in the trade war and unable to provide for the BRI. However, experts claim this would not be a barrier. On the contrary, the trade war with the United States will only push China to trade more with ASEAN. China will collaborate with the World Bank and thus have more opportunities with more investments and help from other banks. Overall, more banks are willing to collaborate with China on BRI.
Ng, Teddy. “Simmering Stand-off: China Disrupts Malaysia, Vietnam Ship Exploration.” South
China Morning Post, 19 July 2019, www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3018951/china-blocking-malaysian-and-vietnamese-oil-and-gas-vessels.
This article talks about how the risk of collisions between Chinese vessels and those from Malaysia and Vietnam in the South China Sea has been heightened in recent weeks as China has tried to obstruct the two countries’ oil and gas exploration. I used this information to describe the political climate of Malaysia and China cooperation.
Parameswaran, Prashanth. “Southeast Asia and China's Belt and Road Initiative.” – The
Diplomat, For The Diplomat, 15 May 2019,
thediplomat.com/2019/05/southeast-asia-and-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative/.
This article generally talks about the belt and road initiative and Southeast Asia’s reaction to it as well as the claim that the reaction is a mixed one. Some countries are completely dependent on Chinese investments while others that are more independent consider all factors of Chinese aid.
Rana, Pradumna B., et al. China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Perception Survey of Asian
Opinion Leaders. S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, 2019, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep19933. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.
This is a survey of the opinions of leaders in Southeast Asia. . Most leaders think that the PRI will bring economic prosperity to Southeast Asia; a few hold the opinion that China is just expanding its geopolitical influence. However the overall opinion on the BRI is positive.
Reed, John, and Valentina Romei. "Vietnam Reaps Rewards of US Tariffs on China:
Economy. Exports Increase South-East Asian Country Benefits as Trade War Prompts Buyers to Shift Supply Chains Asia Region]." Financial Times, Jun 24, 2019, pp. 4.
ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/2263025797?accountid=338.
Small Vietnamese textile companies are benefiting Vietnam a lot because the United States has been taking more imports from Vietnam along with other Southeast Asian countries. Vietnam is able to sell a lot of goods that would be subject to high tariff in China. Vietnam is also really worried because of the unpredictability of the trade war and of Trump.
Shepard, Wade. “The Real Role Of The AIIB In China's New Silk Road.” Forbes, Forbes
Magazine, 15 July 2017,
www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2017/07/15/the-real-role-of-the-aiib-in-chinas-new-si
lk-road/#75b5b4cd7472.
This is another article that explains the role of the Asian infrastructure investment bank. The leaders of the bank claimed that the goal is to use economic means to achieve regional connectivity by helping the BRI.
Sipalan, Joseph. “As Beijing Flexes Muscles in South China Sea, Malaysia Eyes Harder
Response.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 1 June 2016, www.reuters.com/article/us-southchinasea-malaysia-idUSKCN0YM2SV.
This article talks about an incident where a possible maritime incursion is spotted by Malaysia. It seems like a Chinese vessel is charging towards a Malaysian one in the South China Sea. This explains Malaysian Prime Minister‘s cautious attitude towards China.
Tan, Xinyu. “Malaysia Benefits from BRI, Seeks More Cooperation with China: Officials.”
Malaysia Benefits from BRI, Seeks More Cooperation with China: Officials - Chinadaily.com.cn, 8 Aug. 2019, www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201908/08/WS5d4bde6fa310cf3e35564a36.html.
In August 2019, Malaysia expressed its likelihood to continue to cooperate with China on the BRI. China has brought Malaysia a lot of tourists for the last few years and has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner. Malaysia declared that both China and Malaysia would benefit from the friendship.
Tobin, Meaghan. “Rohingya Repatriation Set to Begin as China and India Invest in Myanmar.”
South China Morning Post, 14 Nov. 2018,
This article talks about how Myanmar’s two largest neighbours are seeking stability for their major infrastructure projects in Rakhine State. I use this article to explain China’s help with Myanmar during the trade war.
Tzogopoulos, George N. The “Belt and Road” Initiative. Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic
Studies, 2017, pp. 7–9, Greece, Israel, and China's "Belt and Road" Initiative,
www.jstor.org/stable/resrep04721.5. Accessed 19 Jan. 2020.
This article talks about the general information of the BRI. It’s a comprehensive guide of the economic, geopolitical, and structure of the BRI. I used it to lay the foundation of my thesis.
“US-China Trade War Will Make or Break Asean.” South China Morning Post, 15
Nov. 2018,
With the China-US trade war, ASEAN would not have to choose a side since it’s not a superpower, nor is it a super tight supernational force like the EU. Therefore, ASEAN could break up nicely and benefit from both sides according to each country’s distinct national interests. The source details different ASEAN country’s lean in the trade war. The author argues that ASEAN countries, depending on their political environment, will either lean towards China or the US. Under Chinese protectionist policy, though, it is not likely that ASEAN will lean towards the US. Looking on the bright side, the trade war is a test of resilience for ASEAN.
Wang, Huiyao. “AIIB Can Be a Key Benchmark for BRI.” Global Times, Global Times, 7 July
2019, www.globaltimes.cn/content/1157054.shtml.
This article talks about how the Asian infrastructure investment bank can be a key Bank in funding the BRI. I used this article in the section of the AIIB.
Wood, Johnny. “What Is ASEAN?” World Economic Forum,
www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/05/what-is-asean-explainer/.
This is an introduction of what ASEAN is on the World Economic Forum. ASEAN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. I used this information to formulate my introduction of the ASEAN section.
World Bank. “Philippines : Meeting the Infrastructure Challenges.” Open Knowledge
Repository, Washington, DC, 1 Dec. 2005,
openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/8459.
The Philippines is facing a need for economic development because of the poor business environment and the lack of private sector investments. Are use this information to suggest that the BRI aids in the process of developing the Philippines towards a richer country.
Xu, Hongfeng, et al. “Role of China Development Bank in BRI Clean Energy Finance.” Green
Belt and Road Initiative Center, 3 Feb. 2020,
green-bri.org/role-of-china-development-bank-in-bri-clean-energy-finance#.
This article talks about how the China Development Bank had issued loans of more than 180 billion USD to BRI countries, with the balance of loans exceeding 110 billion USD, accounting for more than 30% of the bank’s international business.
Yao, Kevin. “China Development Bank Provides over $190 Billion for Belt and Road Projects.”
Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 27 Mar. 2019,
This article talks about the China Development Bank which is another important bank that supports the BRI with funds. Since 2013, the China Development Bank has provided $190 billion for the 600 BRI projects and will keep supporting them.
Yean, Tham Siew. “Why Malaysia's ECRL Project Should Go on, New Government or Not.”
South China Morning Post, 28 Feb. 2020, www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3052768/why-malaysias-ecrl-project-should-go-new-government-or-not.
This article explains the reason that one of the three most important BRI projects in Malaysia, ECRL, should still go on despite the succeeding Prime Minister. The ECRL is a boost to the Malaysian economy and will draw foreign investments. Furthermore, this will help China in the trade war.
Yu, Hong. "China's Belt and Road Initiative and its Implications for Southeast Asia."
Asia Policy, no. 24, 2017, pp. 117-122. ProQuest,
https://search.proquest.com/docview/2125229115?accountid=338.
ASEAN is crucial for Chinese development of the BRI. Despite geopolitical and political inferences from China, the BRI has been economically benefiting most ASEAN countries. China has been building infrastructures in Southeast Asian nations and providing them a lot of financial benefits. The positive response from ASEAN to BRI has reflected in the constant visits to China by the leaders of ASEAN countries. However, the South China Sea dispute could potentially harm the mutual trust between China and certain ASEAN countries. The latter has emerged some concerns about the BRI’s true intention, despite China’s claim of mutual benefit to promote trade and infrastructure. This article has a focus on the Philippines, whose biggest trading partner is not China yet.
Yu, Jing. “Tibet, Xinjiang, and China's Strong State Complex.” – The Diplomat, For The
Diplomat, 28 July 2016,
thediplomat.com/2016/07/tibet-xinjiang-and-chinas-strong-state-complex/.
This article talks about the internal turmoil in China. The western provinces such as Xijinag and Tibet have had revolts to succeed and the root of this problem is poverty. The poverty in these underdeveloped regions can be addressed by having more trade in the area which can be achieved through the BRI.