ASEAN will remain priority for China’s BRI investment despite slowdown

KUALA LUMPUR – Despite slowing domestic growth, Southeast Asia will remain an investment priority for China and a central target of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as Beijing views the region as geopolitically important to counter the influence of the United States, economists say.

Southeast Asia is also a major source of critical minerals, including nickel, for China’s green technology and electric vehicle ambitions.