High-Speed Empire: Chinese Expansion and the Future of Southeast Asia

Columbia Global Reports

by Will Doig

The story of the world’s most audacious infrastructure project Less than a decade ago, China did not have a single high-speed train in service. Today, it owns a network of 14,000 miles of high-speed rail, far more than the rest of the world combined. Now, China is pushing its tracks into Southeast Asia, reviving a century-old colonial fantasy of an imperial railroad stretching to Singapore; and kicking off a key piece of the One Belt One Road initiative, which has a price tag of $1 trillion and, reaches inside the borders of more than 60 countries. The Pan-Asia Railway portion of One Belt One Road could transform Southeast Asia, bringing shiny Chinese cities, entire economies, and waves of migrants where none existed before. But if it doesn’t succeed, that would be a cautionary tale about whether a new superpower, with levels of global authority unimaginable just a decade ago, can pull entire regions into its orbit simply with tracks, sweat, and lots of money. Journalist Will Doig traveled to Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore to chronicle the dramatic transformations taking place—and to find out whether ordinary people have a voice in this moment of economic, political, and cultural collision.

Genres: China, Nonfiction, Politics, Business, Asia

113 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2018

Reviews

[Bkwmlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book when I was browsing through NetGalley awhile back ago and when I found out it was about China’s One Belt One Road initiative, I was instantly curious. Being from Hong Kong, l try to keep a close pulse on current events unfolding in the region and over the past year, one of the most talked about subjects in the city (aside from the raging debates over education, housing, sovereignty, etc.) has been China’s super-ambitious One Belt One Road project and what its impact would be on not just China and HK, but also Southeast Asia as a whole. Prior to reading this book, I had only a very basic concept of what One Belt One Road was – essentially a high-speed railway from China to various countries in Southeast Asia. Even though I had read many of the news reports about the project, the information was too scattered, which made it difficult for me to wrap my mind around the scope and magnitude of the project. It wasn’t until I read this book that I was truly able to understand what the One Belt One Road project entailed and more importantly, the implications the project has as it relates to China’s ambitions and expansion plans in Asia (and, to some extent, the rest of the world).

This book was amazingly well-written in a way that was engaging and easy to understand. I appreciate the amount of detail that the author Will Doig used in the book, providing for us not just a simple definition of what One Belt One Road is, but also delves into its background and inception from historical, cultural, financial, political perspectives and beyond. One of the things I liked most about this book is that it didn’t just look at the project from China’s perspective, but also explored the role of some of the “key players” in the project – specifically Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. This is a perspective that is rarely brought up in the reports from mainstream media so for me, learning about the relationship these countries have with the project as well as its impact on them was a real eye-opener. I learned a lot from reading this book and it helped me put a lot of the articles I had read previously into better perspective. I also appreciate that the author kept the narrative objective, with plenty of examples and factual information, yet relayed in a way that didn’t feel like I was simply reading a news report – definitely no easy feat considering the various perspectives explored here.

For those who are interested in understanding more about China affairs and why the One Belt One Road initiative – however ambitious and superfluous of a project it might seem on the surface – is so important to China and its long-range expansion goals, this book is the perfect read. It is very short (a little shy of 100 pages) yet is tremendously informative and written in a way that makes the otherwise drab subject matter interesting. I found this to be a fascinating read that is definitely recommended!

Received ARC from Columbia Global Reports via NetGalley>/I>

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a book; more of a long-form feature article of the type that news magazines no longer publish. However, it was very useful despite its brevity. Doig delivers high quality journalism for sure, and it's clear from the reporting, analysis, and on-the-ground details that he put in major leg work. It's helpful to read China stories that are written not from the perspective of either China or the US (or the West). In this case, Doig very helpfully peeled back and explored the motivations, players, and storylines driving several Southeast Asian nations' participation in China's largest foreign policy project, thus adding a great deal of nuance to the larger narrative on China's "Belt & Road Initiative". I learned a lot.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

China is building infrastructure all over the world, under the mantle of its One Belt One Road initiative. The roads, rails, bridges, ports and airports it builds are mainly to facility transport and commerce, to strengthen trading relationships between China and the world. But, as most of its ambitious building happens in poverty-ridden, corruption-prone Asian countries, China also fits the bill. Heavily indebted to China, countries like Laos, Malaysia, Thailand then have to hand back large ownership of the investments to China. And China's influence grows, while Chinese citizens flood towards the business opportunities and fancy condos that shoot up in these new special economic zones.

This book is mainly about getting the Pan-Asia Railway underway, but it also hints at the bigger picture. I'm starting to like the Columbia Global Reports series, they are short and very informative.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before heading out to a long and uncomfortable overland journey to Luang Nam Tha, Laos from northern Thailand back in 2006, I recall co-workers talking about how the muddy dirt roads spanning nauseating hairpin turns through the mountains would transform in years to come as Chinese-funded infrastructure investment would pour into its neighbors.

That's the personal angle that piqued my interest to learn more about how the One Belt One Road initiative - unveiled as such in 2013. I'd never heard the term "railway diplomacy" before, but Doig makes a strong case for the transformational impact - for both good and bad - this initiative is having and will continue to have across the region.

Another review describes this book as "more of a long-form feature article," which is think is well put. It's well-researched, nuanced and digestible.

[Kenneth Chanko · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an intriguing read, but it could've been even better if it had been less episodic and more cohesive. It read a bit like a series of magazine feature articles for different publications at different times, all around the subject of Chinese infrastructure expansion, mostly focusing on the One Belt One Road initiative. Again, these far flung reports from various South East Asia countries were often illuminating, but a more cogent narrative would've provided even greater insights.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting case study of China's train industry and the rail line expansion it is attempting through Southeast Asia. It highlights the geopolitical goals and methods of the modern Chinese Communist Party and the effects those goals and methods are having across countries like Laos, Thailand and Malaysia as well as those farther afield. An easy and intriguing read that highlights modern colonial and imperialist efforts by China and the significant role of infrastructure planning in the 21st century.

[Wakakanunu · Rating 4 out of 5]

+
A timely discussion of the One Belt One Road initiative.

Easy reading
-
Typography can be improved. What’s the point of having end notes when the in text references were missing?

Again, it is a pity to see another interesting observation of China without actually feature any sources/interviewers from China.

[Edward Giordano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided a great snapshot of China's "One Belt One Road" project. I had an idea about before going into this book, but this really discusses the real massive global scope of President Xi's vision for a global infrastructure network. This book will be most useful decades from now when we can see how this new "Silk Road" took root and how it changed the world.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful short read on China's "One Belt One Road" initiative with specific focus on Southeast Asia. The book delves into the relationships, influence, and strategy of China's growth in Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and down to Singapore. A lot of information is packed in 90 pages and it is a very enjoyable read. I am much more informed for having read it.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much to this book, super short like 100 pages. Goes over some elements of modern Chinese foreign policy. Nothing super in depth, but a good primer if you're not familiar with the subject. The Laos Vegas chapter was entirely new to me and I really dug that story.

This feels like an extended journal article more than anything but with a more Time Magaziney tone than academic.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

The info is presented clearly, and you learn of China's relationship to several South-East Asian countries. The Chinese desire to build a railway through several countries is the focus.

Recommended.

[Tobias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Some interesting reportage but a bit too scattered in its focus. It's a short book, which means that it's all the more imperative that the author makes the most of the space through good organization.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief combination of travel and economic analysis of the One Belt One Road initiative in Southeastern Asia. A good portion of the book discusses Laos. Readable and short. It does not give a broad overview of the One Belt One Road initiative worldwide.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really informative for a short book. I learned a lot about China's expansion agenda, which was pretty fascinating.

[kiku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could’ve been more detailed, but good enough! A great read

[Jacob Mardell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but a bit aimless, maybe it tries to cram in too much in too few a pages.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise, yet deeply enlightening - China’s ambitions in SE Asia are more vast than I had imagined, even having seen it firsthand

[Micah Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and interesting read that helps to explain the Southeast Asia situation.

[Dani Shimpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book focusing on the relations between China and the Southeast Asian countries in its path.

[Somniorum Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting insight into China's development ambitions in SE Asia. A little short. I would love to read an updated version as I'm sure a lot has happened since publication.

[Jonathan R Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting quick read detailing China's soft foreign policy strategies through foreign investment, industry, and development.

[Thomas Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent short introduction to China's growth plan based on development and connection -- "If you want to get Rich, first build a road", President Xi