Inside China’s quiet reboot in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar
A slowing economy, local crises and global trade tensions complicate Beijing’s approach to Asean’s most aid-dependent states, turning once bold bets into calculated moves
Add BT as a preferred source
[SINGAPORE] Beijing is selectively reviving big-ticket infrastructure projects in South-east Asia’s most aid-dependent nations, restarting Cambodia’s stalled China-backed canal while treading more cautiously in debt-laden Laos and conflict-ridden Myanmar.
Dr Jayant Menon, visiting senior fellow at the Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute, said: “While there was a clear trend away from large-scale projects before the pandemic, these have made a return, driven by concerns over China’s economic slowdown.”
This shift underscores the increasingly fraught trajectory of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in South-east Asia’s least-developed economies, as it continues to weigh strategic gains in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar against rising debt, political risk and global scrutiny.
TRENDING NOW
Lamborghini-driving boss of Eminent Frog Porridge charged with S$3.8 million tax evasion, money laundering
Not in education, employment or training: Why more Hong Kong youths are opting out of work
With AI, it’s not about coding better; workers need to think better: Koh Boon Hwee
Malaysian tycoon Vincent Tan’s sell-downs point to pruning rather than an exit plan
