China’s Gwadar gamble isn’t paying off
Local Baloch residents have been excluded from the port's economic benefits, and prolonged protests have repeatedly shut down Gwadar. The city lacks drinking water and electricity, while the fishing community has been displaced by Chinese trawlers and security zones. Under the 40-year lease, 91% of port revenues are supposed to go to Beijing, but the port generates little revenue and China is likely to downscale its operations.
Why it matters: This matters because it shows that Belt and Road projects can become strategic liabilities when local opposition and economic returns are misaligned.