In a white paper it published this week, China was quick to advertise how it is ramping up its global infrastructure investments.
It has signed more than 200 “belt and road” initiatives with 152 countries and 32 multinational corporations this year, while China’s government has spent over $280 billion on global infrastructure projects connecting the world to the mainland economy, it said.
Still, the fine print revealed a more curtailed international focus. The white paper also showed signs of waning investment in Africa, which has dropped to under $2 billion now.
During the latest Golden Week national holiday at the start of the month, the country’s government focused consumer attention away from foreign travel, according to a former member of the Hong Kong government.
Part of the reason for some of the hawkishness is there are calls internally within China for the government to focus spending on its beleaguered consumer and property sector.
“True Friends”
Despite the increased attention on domestic affairs the Chinese government is pursuing, some analysts are warning that trade growth could suffer if China’s international policy stance doesn’t align with that of its major trading partners more closely.
In particular for many, the country’s government and media has been noticeably insensitive in its reaction to the horrors of the Hamas attacks in Israel. Most of Chinese policymakers’ rhetoric has blankly called for a two-state solution and showed a reluctance to condemn Hamas.
Senator Chuck Schumer’s visit to China early this week was billed by Chinese state media as ...