Lancaster: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been offering Africa and Europe practical opportunities for development rather than "traps," said Giles Mohan, professor of international development at the Open University. Mohan, who leads a European Research Council project on Chinese infrastructure investment in Europe, made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua on Tuesday while attending the Fifth Belt and Road Initiative Interdisciplinary Conference, hosted by the Lancaster University Confucius Institute in northwest Britain.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Mohan, who has studied China's overseas engagement for nearly two decades, noted that many Western narratives about the BRI are misleading, emphasizing the need to examine how projects play out on the ground. Having begun his China-related research in Africa in the early 2000s, Mohan rejected claims of "debt trap diplomacy," recalling past warnings that China aimed to "take over" African oil, which he found unsubstantiated upon examining the evidence.
In Africa, Mohan observed that projects backed by Chinese banks were often successful when local governments effectively identified their development priorities. He also mentioned that in Europe, it is misguided to hastily regard Chinese investment as a "security threat," noting a shift towards a more pragmatic approach to China. Following the global financial crisis, Chinese investment was initially welcomed, but later debates became more cautious. Now, Mohan pointed out, there is a growing realization that mutual cooperation is necessary, involving critical evaluation without wholesale rejection.
Mohan highlighted that Western portrayals of China's overseas engagement often serve domestic agendas, using the "China threat" narrative to justify industrial policies in the United States and Europe. Despite this, China's strengths in renewable energy and electric vehicles make it a key partner in Europe's climate goals. Chinese companies have played major roles in wind energy and rare earth supply chains, creating local jobs and strengthening supply.
Moreover, Mohan noted China's growing influence in setting global standards, highlighting the importance of successful projects being embedded in local communities. In Britain, Chinese investments in Manchester Airport and city-center redevelopment build on decades of ties between Manchester and Chinese partners, facilitated by platforms like the Manchester-China Forum.
In Greece, COSCO's management of Piraeus Port has increased productivity and throughput. While initial concerns focused on limited community engagement, Mohan observed improvements in the company's approach, including sponsoring local activities and engaging with the community.
Mohan emphasized the significance of city-level diplomacy and education in sustaining cooperation, with sister-city ties evolving from school exchanges into major technology and investment partnerships. He pointed to the role of cultural understanding, noting the impact of Chinese students in Manchester and the global reach of local football clubs in shaping mutual perceptions.
He argued that BRI projects should be judged on outcomes rather than slogans, illustrating how cooperation in ports, airports, and wind farms can address urgent needs. Mohan concluded by explaining that local areas in Europe and Africa are seeking to integrate into production and trade networks effectively, viewing the BRI as a series of corridors and relationships rather than a single geopolitical strategy.