ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the rationale from Beijing behind the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the perceptions of the regional countries along the SREB and the CPEC, in particular with regard to China's intentions and the impact they will have. The Chinese government's Action Plan has provided an outline of the five main objectives of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): policy coordination; connectivity; unimpeded trade; financial cooperation; and enhancing the people-to-people bond through greater educational exchanges and information sharing. This does not in reality constitute a concrete plan, but instead the overriding objective of the BRI. An issue more unique to Central Asia than South Asia that emerged in conversations was the expression of regional 'Sinophobia' – fear of China. Marlène Laruelle and Sébastien Peyrouse have examined Sinophobia in the region, particularly in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, where it is arguably most prevalent, although Tajikistan has also been affected.
