Growing Chinese influence in South Asia rings alarm bells in certain quarters, as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are simultaneously looking toward China for a financial bailout.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has concluded a visit to China this week, aiming to finalize the revival of Belt and Road infrastructure projects and secure more financial support for his own cash-strapped country.
In the meanwhile, Crisis-hit Sri Lanka is trying to get Beijing to agree to restructure its debts as it races to unlock funding from the International Monetary Fund.
The prospects of Bangladesh turning to China are becoming quite high due to the unprecedented power crisis, leading to the closure of export-oriented textile units there. In late October, Chinese ambassador Li Jiming pointed out that Beijing is willing to step up if conditions deteriorate. “If there is an emergency situation, I think, as always, China will not sit idle and watch,” he said. “We will also take some actions.”
In recent years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has worked hard to mitigate criticism of its policies and its increasing global presence by portraying itself as a benevolent power intent on improving the lives of its neighbors. To this end, the CCP’s strategic goals are increasingly advanced via “soft power” initiatives to persuade others of China’s harmonious intentions.
