Part 11/13:
Interestingly, the same project might have turned out differently had Indonesia chosen Japan’s offer. Japan's plan for high-speed rail was detailed, cautious, and transparent—featuring rigorous feasibility studies, realistic ridership forecasts, and lower interest rates. Although slower and less flashy, Japan’s approach prioritized safety and long-term sustainability.
China's promise of fast, cheap construction and no-strings-attached loans was tempting but ultimately deceptive. The reality is that China isn’t just building infrastructure; it is building a dependency. China’s domestic high-speed network, plagued by unpaid liabilities and overcapacity, fuels its overseas push—leveraging loans to expand influence while disguising the true costs.