View All Analysis | March 31, 2021, 9:39 a.m.

Browse our analysis section for news and articles on topics such as China's Belt and Road Initiative (OBOR), the world's evolving digital infrastructure competition, and the stakes for U.S. policy.

Broken Tooth’s BRI Bluff | Nov. 9, 2020, 9:21 a.m.

A notorious ex-gangster from China is launching an $18 billion economic development zone in Myawaddy, Myanmar under the banner of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). But experts say the project's plans are centered on illegal gambling. If true, this could spell trouble for Beijing.

SE Asia BRI Projects Stalled | May 5, 2020, 8:49 a.m.

China's Belt and Road infrastructure projects in Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia have come to a standstill as countries prioritize fighting COVID-19, Nikkei reports.

COVID Slows BRI Workers, Materials | April 14, 2020, 1:54 p.m.

The economic costs of the Covid-19 outbreak may limit the influence of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as the virus halts the flow of workers and materials for BRI projects outside of China, Nikkei reports.

ASEAN to Discuss China's Mekong Projects | Feb. 27, 2020, 11:37 a.m.

Chinese-funded projects along the Mekong River are increasingly facing pushback from governments and environmentalists in the region as water levels drop due to drought and the construction of large dams. In an attempt to address these concerns, Vietnam plans to add the Mekong River to ASEAN's agenda this year, Nikkei reports.

China, Myanmar Agree to $9B Rail | Feb. 6, 2020, 9:45 a.m.

Beijing and Naypyitaw have agreed to a $9 billion rail link between Muse and Mandalay, Nikkei reports.

China to Build Myanmar Port | Jan. 21, 2020, 9:35 a.m.

China and Myanmar signed 33 agreements during President Xi's visit to the Southeast Asian country, including a deal for the construction of a deep-sea port at Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone, which will give China access to the Indian Ocean, Nikkei reports.

Xi Visits Myanmar | Jan. 17, 2020, 9:24 a.m.

Chinese president Xi Jinping's visit to Myanmar is expected to coincide with the announcement of the Belt and Road projects there, despite waning popularity of the initiative due to mounting debt levels, Nikkei reports.

China Leads Myanmar Infrastructure Spike | July 18, 2019, 9:49 a.m.

Foreign investment, led by China, in transportation and telecommunications quadrupled to $1 billion in the last six months as Myanmar approved a number of infrastructure projects, Nikkei reports.

Japan Revamps Myanmar Port | July 8, 2019, 9:12 a.m.

Japan will announce a new plan for Mynamar's Dawei special economic zone that focuses on building a port that will export to India. The proposal comes as China is building and financing Kyaukphyu port, increasing its economic influence in the country, reports Nikkei.

Myanmar Seeks Infrastructure Investments | Feb. 28, 2019, 9:13 a.m.

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader, convened a forum for foreign businesses in the impoverished Rakhine State, urging attendees to invest in infrastructure throughout the country's rural areas. With national elections in 2020, Suu Kyi has been touring outlying regions in Myanmar promising development initiatives to shore up support for her ruling party, reports Nikkei.

19 Projects to Watch in 2019 | Dec. 21, 2018, 11:20 a.m.

Reconnecting Asia tracks infrastructure developments across Eurasia, a vast landmass that includes 60 percent of the global economy. Every day, new infrastructure projects are announced, some are advanced, and others encounter obstacles. Here is a selection of projects and trends we will be watching in 2019.

Japan, Mekong Nations Push Infrastructure | Oct. 10, 2018, 9:18 a.m.

The leaders of Japan and five Southeast Asian countries agreed to adopt a new policy that pushes forward more than 150 projects in the Mekong region using official development assistance from Japan.

Myanmar, China Renegotiate BRI Port | Sept. 28, 2018, 9:17 a.m.

Myanmar and China renegotiated a BRI contract for the construction of Kyaukpyu deep-sea port, reducing Myanmar's financial burden. Construction will not proceed before certain demand conditions are met, according to the Nikkei Asian Review

Modi Attends Regional Summit in Nepal | Aug. 30, 2018, 9 a.m.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi heads to Nepal for a meeting of the seven-nation BIMSTEC bloc, where improved trade and connectivity have the potential to help India counter Beijing's massive Belt and Road Initiative, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

SEA Fund Boosts Self-Reliance | Aug. 6, 2018, 9:07 a.m.

Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam have announced the The Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Fund. The fund aims to help Southeast Asia become more financially self-reliant and reduce its dependence on external economic and political giants, particularly China.

Read the full article [here](https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Southeast-Asian-fund-can-complement-Chinese-investment-by

BRI Empowers SE Asia's Strongmen | July 25, 2018, 10:33 a.m.

Chinese infrastructure investment throughout Southeast Asia has shifted the tide of opinion, simultaneously supporting authoritarian politics in certain states and engendering opposition to Belt and Road in others, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

China Brokers Myanmar Peace for BRI | July 13, 2018, 8:34 a.m.

Beijing is helping to mediate peace talks between Myanmar's government and rebel factions, aiming to calm strife on the Chinese border to clear a path for Belt and Road infrastructure projects.

Mekong Nations Start Infrastructure Fund | June 18, 2018, 8:28 a.m.

Five nations that share the Mekong River: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam adopted a five-year master development plan during the 2018 ACMECS summit in Bangkok. The plan vowed to upgrade roads, power grids, and other pieces of infrastructure that connect and strengthen the region.

Japan’s Investors Eye Infrastructure in Myanmar | May 17, 2018, 9:31 a.m.

Japan's businesses were approved to devote a record $1.47 billion to Myanmar in this fiscal year, including investments in infrastructure.

China’s Maritime Silk Road | April 3, 2018, 9 a.m.

Seven CSIS experts unpack the economic and geostrategic implications of China’s infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific region under the Maritime Silk Road.

Myanmar Overhauls Rail System | March 19, 2018, 10:22 a.m.

Myanmar has begun overhauling its national rail system starting with two major arteries pivotal to economic revitalization.

India Courts ASEAN to Counter BRI | Jan. 25, 2018, 10:10 a.m.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes all ten ASEAN leaders to New Dehli in an attempt to strengthen trade and connectivity with the bloc.

Myanmar Expands Thilawa Port | Dec. 22, 2017, 8:12 a.m.

Myanmar's rapid increase in trade is pushing the expansion of Thilawa port with the support from Japanese government.

China Boosts Influence in South Asia | Dec. 19, 2017, 10:09 a.m.

In Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Maldives, and Myanmar, Beijing is pulling South Asia into its orbit.

Japan and Myanmar to Cooperate on Infrastructure | Dec. 14, 2017, 9:15 a.m.

At a meeting in Tokyo, the leaders of Myanmar and Japan agreed to further cooperation in the areas of urban development, transportation, and power infrastructure in Myanmar.

Thai Company to Develop Industrial Parks along Mekong River | Nov. 10, 2017, 10:02 a.m.

Thai company plans to develop industrial parks in its cheaper neighboring countries along the Mekong River, where it bets manufacturing will pick up.

Delayed $10B Port in Myanmar Draws Criticism | Nov. 7, 2017, 9:16 a.m.

Long delays in the completion of the Chinese-led Kyaukpyu port in Myanmar have drawn criticisms about the project's viability.

China Is Increasing Investment in Regional Ports | Sept. 28, 2017, 10:13 a.m.

Mekong Region seeks to Strengthen Cross-Border Connectivity | Sept. 8, 2017, 9:09 a.m.

India and Myanmar Sign MoUs for Maritime Partnership | Sept. 7, 2017, 9:29 a.m.

Myanmar's Infrastructure Deficit Is World's Largest | Aug. 16, 2017, 9:30 a.m.

A fifty-nation infrastructure report reveals that Myanmar has the biggest gap between projected infrastructure investment and expected needs (an estimated $112 billion).

India Expands Infrastructure Role for Japan | Aug. 9, 2017, 8:32 a.m.

India has agreed to "explore and expand" Japan's role in developing the infrastructure of its Northeastern region bordering China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh as part of their "special strategic and global partnership."

New Minister to Push Ahead Infrastructure Plans in Myanmar | Aug. 2, 2017, 8:34 a.m.

Myanmar's government has appointed Set Aung as deputy minister for national planning and finance. Aung is expected to help move forward the government's 12-point economic policy which calls for the extensive development of new infrastructure such as roads and ports.

Suu Kyi Turns to China for Infrastructure Aid | June 27, 2017, 9:36 a.m.

Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi is turning her diplomatic efforts toward China to help fill the country's significant infrastructure gap.

India "Acts East" through Regional Connectivity | Feb. 22, 2017, 9:03 a.m.