Part 7/9:
The pandemic has acted as a significant setback for the BRI. It has weakened China’s economy, disrupted manufacturing and supply chains, and diminished the ability of recipient countries to meet debt obligations. In April, Pakistan requested debt relief for $30 billion owed to China for CPEC projects, prompting China to temporarily suspend payments for 77 BRI-associated countries—a gesture seen as a diplomatic easing amidst economic hardship.
Despite these setbacks, China's President Xi Jinping remains committed to the vision of a modern Silk Road. The long-term strategic goal encompasses not just economic connectivity but also geopolitical influence, asserting China's position as a global leader with expansive infrastructural and economic interests.