Domestic Actors and the Limits of Chinese Infrastructure Power

Evidence from Pakistan

Bibliographic Data

ID3986173
AuthorsMuhammad Tayyab Safdar (University of Virginia, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume54
Issue2
Pages317-341
Publication date2024-03-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Contemporary Asia (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0047-2336 • E-ISSN: 1752-7554
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00472336.2022.2145576
OpenAlexW4311623606
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited56

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is important to China's development vision. Under the BRI, Chinese policymakers have focused on exporting railway systems to developing countries, yet progress on some projects remains limited. This article focuses on delays associated with a planned railway project in Pakistan: the ML-1. It answers the following question: What explains delays in the ML-1 railway project despite strong Chinese interest in it? The article uses a two-step conceptual framework to answer this question. In the first step, it highlights the role of railway bureaucrats involved in project-level negotiations. It shows that local bureaucrats contribute to delays by actively negotiating technical parameters. Chinese firms have limited policy levers to ensure their acquiescence. In the second step, the article places delays in the context of Pakistan's political economy by analysing the role of the political and military elite. It also explores the impact of political change and economic factors on the project. Projects not in sync with the local political elites' development vision face delays. Domestic political changes also contribute to delays. Furthermore, a failure to gain major veto actors' support, coupled with economic problems and differences over financing terms, constrains China's ability to pursue large-scale projects

Acquiescence · China · Context (archaeology · Economic system · Economics · Elite · Negotiation · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Belt and Road Initiative · International Development and Aid · Law · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East

Tools

Open DOI