China’s Belt and Road Initiative is best known as a massive set of infrastructure projects stretching from Asia to Europe. But more than that, it is a sweeping foreign policy vision that provides China with opportunities for deep engagement with virtually every aspect of state and society in its partner countries. Many developing countries welcome the investments and opportunities for trade linked to the initiative, but some of the projects have sparked local resistance over fears of unfair terms or potential opportunities for Chinese intelligence penetration.

Beijing's miscalculations regarding India have created conflict with a regional power that has the capability and desire to disrupt China's outward push.

China is the increasingly dominant power in the region, but it is acting in full concordance with Russia.