The Chinese instrumentalization of history in the belt and road initiative: the impact on Indonesian and Malaysian perspectives

This article critically examines how Xi Jinping’s administration has instrumentalized historical narratives to reconstruct the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a framework for global cooperation rooted in a shared civilizational heritage. Existing literature often emphasizes contemporary strategies, infrastructure projects, and policy frameworks but overlooks the historical narratives and precedents that inform and shape the BRI’s conceptualization and implementation. The article argues that, historically, narratives of the Silk Road in Xi Jinping’s official discourse primarily serve as a metaphorical lure to promote investment-driven BRI engagement in participating countries. This paper employs a qualitative historical and discourse analysis of elite and state-level sources, including official speeches and policy documents from the Chinese, Indonesian, and Malaysian governments, supplemented by academic publications, state-aligned media, and institutional materials. The level of analysis is confined to official and elite discourse rather than broader public or societal perspectives. By examining Indonesia and Malaysia as BRI host countries, the study finds that the vague, loosely defined concept of the Silk Roads has enabled state authorities to reinterpret the past to promote the BRI. In this context, the official narrative of the Silk Roads serves as a symbolic appeal to attract and encourage investment-driven participation in the BRI among participating countries.