Rather than recoiling in fear, the international community should encourage China’s constructive engagement in governing the global economy. The first step toward that goal should be to take a more nuanced view of China’s recent policy initiatives.
TOKYO – Come to Asia and you will hear a growing chorus of concern that China is building a sphere of influence in the region. To promote Chinese foreign investment, there is the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in which the government is poised to take a 30% share. And there is China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative to construct a Silk Road Economic Belt extending through Central Asia, and a Maritime Silk Road linking China with Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and ultimately Europe.
TOKYO – Come to Asia and you will hear a growing chorus of concern that China is building a sphere of influence in the region. To promote Chinese foreign investment, there is the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in which the government is poised to take a 30% share. And there is China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative to construct a Silk Road Economic Belt extending through Central Asia, and a Maritime Silk Road linking China with Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and ultimately Europe.