ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Belt and Road

US attack on China's Belt and Road puts Pakistan in tough spot

Islamabad sides with Beijing over CPEC but keeps response measured

A recent speech by a U.S. diplomat marked the first time a high-ranking U.S. government official had launched a direct and comprehensive attack on CPEC. (Source photo by AP)

KARACHI -- A recent speech by a U.S. diplomat criticizing China's flagship Belt and Road projects in Pakistan spurred an angry response from Beijing and amplified pressure on Pakistan, which sided with China in the row, to provide more transparency.

Alice Wells, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, said the $62 billion projects, known as China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, lack transparency, had incurred unjustifiable cost escalations, and had "debt-trap" implications for Pakistan. She was speaking at the event "A conversation with Ambassador Alice Wells on CPEC" at the Wilson Centre in Washington on Nov. 21.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more