China's Belt and Road: From Economic Initiative to Military Strategy

China's influence in global foreign policy is growing, particularly in areas the US struggles to penetrate. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), although diminished in funding due to China's economic challenges and the impact of the COVID pandemic, is transitioning into a more militaristic phase under Xi Jinping. This shift reflects a strategy to militarize previous economic inroads and leverage them for expanding China's defense capabilities globally. The concern lies in the potential replication of China's tactics in the South China Sea through the BRI, indicating a significant evolution in how China engages with the world.