Abstract

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a major strategic project designed to serve international trade, geopolitical influence, and economic development objectives. Its implementation has altered the composition of China’s foreign assets, affecting liquidity and revenue indicators. However, the outcomes of these investments have not been as profitable as anticipated, raising questions about their economic efficiency. The BRI’s direct impact on exports and GDP growth has been limited, although it has contributed to diversifying trade routes and reducing geopolitical distances to some extent. From a geopolitical perspective, the BRI has expanded China’s trade partnerships and sphere of influence, achieving positive outcomes, particularly in the Global South. Nonetheless, tensions with Western countries have escalated, occasionally leading to counterproductive results for the initiative. The military implications of the BRI remain in an early stage of evaluation. This article explores how successful the BRI has been in achieving China’s objectives against the backdrop of economic indicators and geopolitical relations.