China can meet 'Belt and Road' challenges

As the top priority for China's peripheral diplomacy in the new era and the major region of activity for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Southeast Asia occupies a special place in China's "Belt and Road Initiative".

But the initiative faces some challenges. The first is some countries' concern over the Belt and Road. Some people say the initiative smacks of neo-colonialism because they wrongly assume its purpose is to exploit energy and mineral resources in the region, which will harm the regional economies and the environment. There are also cultural concerns that Chinese investment might change the cultures and lifestyles of some countries.

The major concern, however, is geopolitical. Some say the Belt and Road Initiative is akin to the "Marshall Plan" and "String of Pearls", and part of China's grand strategy to change the regional and global orders and seek hegemony. And as neighbors, the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are concerned about China's strategic intentions.