Chinese Megaprojects in Southeast Asia Face Implementation Shortfall: Report

Former Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, at the inauguration of the Chinese-built Jakarta-to-Bandung high speed railway, a key BRI project. Bay Ismoyo / AFP

While China remains Southeast Asia’s largest infrastructure provider, major gaps are emerging between pledges and actual delivery, according to a new report by Australia’s Lowy Institute.

The report found a $52 billion difference between planned and implemented projects, “with more than half of this reflecting projects that have either been canceled, downsized, or otherwise seem unlikely to proceed.”

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by Cobus van Staden

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