Chinese Netizens Blast Wang Yi For Touting BRI

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's assertion that China should continue to build infrastructure in developing countries under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has incited outrage among Chinese netizens, Marrian Zhou reported for Nikkei News.

Wang's declaration did not resonate well within China, where the public is enduring a sluggish economy. I Photo: U.S. Department of State Flickr

Wang stated that claims about the U.S.'s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment targeting the Belt and Road are an example of "politicizing economic issues."

He said, "You can't politicize everything; we can't fall into the trap of political paranoia." Wang made these comments during a news conference."

"We might as well compete internationally to determine who can build more roads, railways, and bridges for developing countries and who can construct more schools, hospitals, and sports facilities for people in low-income countries. China has the confidence and determination in this regard, added Beijing's top diplomat."

However, this declaration did not resonate well within China, where the public is enduring a sluggish economy.

Many netizens questioned "who will pay for it" in the comment sections under videos of Wang's statements on Weibo. They argued that the government is using taxpayers' money to gain recognition on the global stage, even as ordinary people struggle with everyday expenses.

A Weibo user named Bianchenghudiemeng posted, "If we have so much money [to build roads and bridges elsewhere], why don't we use it to make our country a better place? I really don't understand it."

Weibo user Laohongmao commented, "Why don't you take a look at how people in the bottom socioeconomic class live [in China]?" Another user asked, "Can you compete domestically first to see who can improve people's lives?"

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