FinTech Empowering the Belt and Road Initiative: A Case Study of Southeast Asia

As the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) enters a new phase of high-quality development, financial technology (fintech) is emerging as a key enabler for deepening regional cooperation and accelerating strategic implementation. This report provides a comprehensive overview of fintech development in countries involved in the BRI — particularly in Southeast Asia — examining market trends, major players and investment strategies. More importantly, it analyzes the role of fintech in facilitating the five key pillars of Belt and Road cooperation: policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds.

Fintech, the report argues, is injecting fresh dynamism into the BRI by enhancing infrastructure financing efficiency, promoting interoperability in cross-border payment systems, supporting the expansion of cross-border trade and e-commerce, strengthening trust and security in financial transactions, and widening the reach of inclusive financial services. At the same time, Chinese companies face a range of emerging challenges, such as regulatory frictions, market fragmentation, intensified local competition, and geopolitical uncertainties. The report concludes with targeted recommendations for governments, enterprises, and financial institutions—emphasizing the importance of local adaptation, cross-border data governance, green fintech development and multilateral regulatory collaboration.

Overall, this report aims to offer a strategic framework and roadmap for China’s participation in Belt and Road fintech cooperation, helping to translate domestic experience into actionable regional partnerships and contributing to the development of an open, inclusive, and sustainable digital economy.

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