The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the centerpiece of China’s geoeconomic foreign policy. Within six years, the initiative extends to 138 countries and covers some 4.4 billion people. In recent years, questions have been raised about why Beijing provides billions of dollars in loans for infrastructure projects of questionable commercial viability in debt-strapped nations. For some, the BRI reveals China to be an ambitious country - seeking global dominance. It has created hostility among other global powers - and some seeking to counter China’s inroads. Given the growing controversy, this presentation will navigate why China is so determined to carry out the Belt and Road Initiative despite mounting economic and political risks.

Mr. Anu Anwar is a Research Fellow at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS). His work focuses on the area of BRI, FOIP, US-China strategic competition, and Asian geopolitics. He is an Affiliate Scholar at East-West Center, Hawaii, and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Advanced Studies for Asia. His work has appeared at ‘East Asia Forum,’ ‘The Diplomat,’ ‘South China Morning Post,’ ‘Harvard Kennedy School Review,’ ‘Lowy Interpreter,’ among other publications. Mr. Anwar holds two Masters Degrees. He traveled around 50 countries, including experience of living and extensive traveling in China. He speaks English, Chinese, Hindi, and Bengali. The views presented are his own and do not necessarily represent the DoD or its components.

Free admission

Limited seating

RSVP by Nov. 18: 944-7111 or

[email protected]

Paid parking is available on the UHM campus

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the centerpiece of China’s geoeconomic foreign policy. Within six years, the initiative extends to 138 countries and covers some 4.4 billion people. In recent years, questions have been raised about why Beijing provides billions of dollars in loans for infrastructure projects of questionable commercial viability in debt-strapped nations. For some, the BRI reveals China to be an ambitious country - seeking global dominance. It has created hostility among other global powers - and some seeking to counter China’s inroads. Given the growing controversy, this presentation will navigate why China is so determined to carry out the Belt and Road Initiative despite mounting economic and political risks.

Mr. Anu Anwar is a Research Fellow at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS). His work focuses on the area of BRI, FOIP, US-China strategic competition, and Asian geopolitics. He is an Affiliate Scholar at East-West Center, Hawaii, and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Advanced Studies for Asia. His work has appeared at ‘East Asia Forum,’ ‘The Diplomat,’ ‘South China Morning Post,’ ‘Harvard Kennedy School Review,’ ‘Lowy Interpreter,’ among other publications. Mr. Anwar holds two Masters Degrees. He traveled around 50 countries, including experience of living and extensive traveling in China. He speaks English, Chinese, Hindi, and Bengali. The views presented are his own and do not necessarily represent the DoD or its components.

Free admission

Limited seating

RSVP by Nov. 18: 944-7111 or

[email protected]

Paid parking is available on the UHM campus