The New Silk Road, often referred to as the Belt and Road Initiative, is a colossal undertaking aimed at connecting China with the Western world. This monumental infrastructure project, championed by Beijing, envisions far-reaching benefits for all involved. However, this two-part documentary sheds light on China’s predominant self-interest and geopolitical ambitions within this grand vision.
A Real Megaproject
The old Silk Road is steeped in legend, while the New Silk Road is a tangible megaproject of our times. China’s vision is to reestablish global connectivity through an intricate web of roads, railways, ports, and airports spanning from Asia to Europe. In this article, we embark on a journey alongside a team of reporters who trace the path of China’s influence expansion as they explore the New Silk Road.
Part 1: Shenzhen’s Economic Epicenter
Our journey commences in Shenzhen, situated on the Pearl River Delta, the very birthplace of China’s remarkable rise to economic superpower status. Shenzhen’s transformation into a mega-metropolis is a testament to China’s private market economy experiment, which unleashed an economic force of unprecedented magnitude.
Part 2: Cambodia – A Booming Port City
Sihanoukville, a port city in Cambodia, serves as a case in point for China’s expanding influence. Many locals in Sihanoukville now quip that you can travel to China without a passport, all without leaving your home country. China has financed a multitude of projects here, from port extensions to new roads and bridges. While this has brought prosperity to some, it has also left others feeling like they’ve lost out, with rising prices and rents burdening the underprivileged.
Resisting the New Road
In Myanmar, resistance has started to gain momentum. In Kachin, locals have successfully opposed a Chinese dam project, questioning why the Chinese are producing energy for their nation while leaving the locals without electricity. This conflict led to the suspension of the colossal Chinese dam project, a telling sign of growing tensions.
The Karakorum Highway Challenge
The Karakorum Highway, connecting Kashgar in China to Islamabad in Pakistan, winds through treacherous terrain. The road’s completion is often followed by disintegration, rockfalls, and landslides, almost as if the Karakorum Mountains are resisting China’s strategic access to the Arabian Sea. This highway represents one of the most challenging aspects of the New Silk Road.
China’s quest for global reach and influence through the New Silk Road project is reshaping the world’s economic and geopolitical landscape. While the initiative appears harmonious on the surface, the realities on the ground reveal a complex interplay of interests. The two-part documentary, “The New Silk Road,” offers an unfiltered view of the project’s construction, its effects on various regions, and the questions it raises about China’s true intentions.
This ambitious undertaking, spanning from Shenzhen to Duisburg, has left many cities grappling with mounting debt and environmental issues. Suspicions persist about whether this endeavor is solely aimed at fostering trade or if it harbors more military-driven objectives.
As we travel along the route, we encounter echoes of the ancient Silk Road and the communities caught in the midst of promise and potential despair. “The New Silk Road” documentary, directed by Normen Odenthal and Thomas Reichart, uncovers the truths and complexities of this global megaproject, inviting a deeper understanding of its far-reaching implications.
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