This video showcases question and answer moments from our event called "Corridors of Power: How Beijing Uses Ties to Exert Influence Along the Silk Road (South Asia)". The event followed the release of our report, Corridors of Powe

‍China has long viewed South and Central Asian countries as a strategic priority, where building relationships and winning goodwill are vital to securing its economic, geopolitical, and security interests. This event features a presentation and panel discussion related to an extensive new study on Chinese public diplomacy efforts in the region, ranging from financing and education to culture and social media. Participants will get an in-depth look at how Beijing has used a broad and diverse toolkit to cultivate economic and soft power influence in South and Central Asia over the last two decades.

The event aims to spark a discussion of what this means moving forward for countries in the region and rival powers such as India, Russia, and the United States. AidData and the Whole of Government Center of Excellence at William & Mary (a US-based university) invite researchers, policymakers, practitioners, journalists, and all interested parties to attend the launch event and panel discussion “Corridors of Power: How China Creates Economic, Social, and Network Ties to Exert Influence in South and Central Asia” on December 16th, 2021.

Moderator: Ms. Barkha Dutt: Emmy Nominated Reporter; Washington Columnist; Founding Editor-Mojo & We The Women; Tv Host & Author

Panelists

Ambassador Shivshankar Menon: Chair, Centre for China Studies, Visiting Professor of International Relations, Ashoka University; former Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor of India

Mr. Kamal Dev Bhattarai: Kathmandu-based journalist writing on Nepal’s foreign policy towards India and China; Assistant Editor Annapurna Express in Nepal; Contributing writer for the Diplomat; former New Delhi Bureau Chief Kantipur Media Group

Mr. Antoine Levesques: Research Fellow, South Asia; International Institute for Strategic Studies