Report Takes A Critical Look At China’s Development Projects Abroad And Calls for Greater Transparency
August 12, 2021-A report released yesterday links China’s Belt and Road Initiative with 679 allegations of human rights abuse between 2013 and 2020.
“China’s aspiration to become a ‘responsible great power’ is set to be undermined by high rates of human rights abuse linked to its overseas business operations,” according to the report publisher, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.
Worst-Case Scenarios in Places With Weak Governments
Counties with the highest number of abuse allegations include Myanmar, Peru, Ecuador, Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia.
The authors discovered that the highest rates of alleged abuse were prevalent in countries with weaker governance. Also, countries with the most Chinese investments also show more incidents of reports of abuse. The sources the authors cited came from media reports and international and local non-government organizations.
Metal and Mining
In Asia, Latin America, and Africa, 76 percent of the allegations of abuse came from the mining and metal industry.
Other issues cited included: land rights violations, labor rights, health threats, protests and pollution.
Also, the construction sector and the fossil fuel and renewable energy industries have higher rates of the alleged abuse.
Gap in Standards
The report suggest there’s a gap between international standards and the application of those standards in Belt and Road projects.
The authors said they hope their report helps governments, civil society organizations and companies for working on projects with the Chinese government and businesses.
Call for Greater Transparency
The central recommendation is for transparency.
The authors recommend that Chinese companies engage with civil society, communicate, and report publicly on the projects and investments. Other recommendations include human rights diligence and grievance mechanisms and access to remedy. Additionally, countries and company sectors with an increased risk of abuse should take priority when implementing these suggestions.
Goals Of Belt and Road Initiative
The study looks specifically at the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, in operation since 2013. Its goal is to promote Chinese investments and business in other countries. Currently, the initiative is active in 140 countries. Prior to the Belt and Road, China invested abroad in a “Going Out” strategy it launched in 1999.
China’s intent, according to its 2017 publication, is to work abroad with other countries. Furthermore, this intent came with the promise of an “environmentally-friendly and sound development,” through the “exchange of wisdom,” and to build “more vibrant, open, inclusive, stable and sustainable” global economy.
China’s FDI
As a result of such expansion, China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) has grown considerably. FDI’s are most necessary in assisting developing countries’ achieve their industry goals. In tandem with the FDI growth, there have been a high correlation to increased human rights, social, and environmental violations.
Source: “Going out” responsibly: The human rights impact of China’s global investments”
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