Brazil, the third country, exits China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, impacting global infrastructure dynamics.
- Launched in 2013 by Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road Initiative aimed to link Asia and Europe via vast infrastructure projects.
- Brazil’s departure follows India’s 2020 boycott and Italy’s 2023 withdrawal, signalling a shift within the BRICS nations.
- The initiative involves extensive investment corridors designed to enhance connectivity across continents.
- Concerns arise regarding China’s motives, as Brazil seeks alternative bilateral projects without lengthy contracts.
In a notable development, Brazil has decided to exit China’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), making it the third country to do so. The BRI, launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013, is an enormous project designed to create new economic pathways between Asia and Europe through extensive rail, road, and sea routes. Originally, the initiative intended to establish direct links from East Asia to Europe, but it has since expanded to include numerous countries across Africa, Oceania, and Latin America.
Brazil’s decision aligns with moves by other significant countries such as India and Italy. India has been boycotting the initiative’s summits since 2020, while Italy withdrew from the scheme last year by choosing not to renew its commitment to a 2019 agreement. These actions, particularly within the context of the BRICS coalition—which includes economic powers like China, Russia, India, Brazil, and South Africa—suggest a reassessment of international infrastructure cooperation dynamics.
The Belt and Road Initiative, officially termed ‘One Belt, One Road’ in Chinese, comprises two main corridors: the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. These routes promise vast investments, reportedly costing between $4 and $8 trillion, covering essential infrastructure like roads and railways over 60 countries. Major land corridors include projects like the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, the New Eurasian Land Bridge, and the China–Central Asia–West Asia Corridor, among others.
According to reports, Brazil’s withdrawal stems from its desire to redefine its diplomatic relationship with China without binding contracts. Brazil’s special presidential adviser for international affairs, Celso Amorim, highlighted that while China refers to it as a ‘belt’, Brazil’s focus remains on projects deemed nationally important, regardless of their acceptance by Beijing. This strategic move indicates a nuanced approach to international partnerships, prioritising national interests.
Brazil’s step back from the Belt and Road Initiative marks a pivotal re-evaluation of its international strategy, reflecting broader global trends.
