Today: 7 October 2025
2 December 2021
1 min read

EU rolls out massive infra plan to counter China

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the global gateway scheme should become a trusted brand to challenge China’s expanding influence…reports Asian Lite News

The European Union (EU) has revealed details of a $340 billion global investment plan, described as a “true alternative” to China’s Belt and Road strategy, the BBC reported.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the global gateway scheme should become a trusted brand.

China has funded rail, roads and ports, but has been accused of leaving some countries saddled with debt.

The Commission chief said countries need “trusted partners” to design projects that are sustainable, the report said.

The EU is looking at how it can leverage billions of euros, drawn from member states, financial institutions and the private sector.

Leyen said the projects had to be of high quality, with a high level of transparency and good governance, and had to deliver tangible results for the countries involved, she explained. One EU official told the BBC that Africa would be a major focus of the scheme.

China’s strategy has reached Africa, Asia, the Indo-Pacific and the EU too. China’s Cosco company owns two-thirds of the huge Greek container port at Piraeus and the China Road and Bridge Corporation has built a key bridge in Croatia.

“When it comes to investment choices,” said the Commission President, “The few options that exist too often come with a lot of small print which includes big consequences, be it financially, politically but also socially.”

Projects had to be of high quality, with a high level of transparency and good governance, and had to deliver tangible results for the countries involved.

ALSO READ: MI6 head warns of China’s ‘traps’

Previous Story

‘A well-thought-out strategic vision for next 50 years’

Next Story

‘Challenges never deterred us from pursuing our path’

Latest from -Top News

OCTOBER 7: Stop the Violence Now, Says Guterres

Guterres recalled that “the attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals….reports Asian Lite News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, Israel, and

Piyush Goyal Heads to Doha for Trade Talks

During the visit, both sides are expected to discuss the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA)….reports Asian Lite News Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Doha, Qatar, on

Hamas Heads to Egypt for Gaza Talks

The negotiation will focus on the details of enacting the first phase of the plan…reports Asian Lite News A delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Sunday ahead of

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with
Go toTop

Don't Miss

EU, UK open probe into Google-Meta ad deal

The investigation concerns a September 2018 agreement, which Google code-named

China, Russia Ready to Tackle Security Threats Together

Zhang said China and Russia have maintained a high-level bilateral