[novok]

What prevents countries from saying thanks china, we aren't going to pay and then allying with the rest of the west, or playing back and forth to negotiate ever better deals? The problem with infrastructure investment is it's hard to move.

[est31]

1. The infrastructure is often not just built, but also operated by chinese companies. So the chinese have direct operational control through their expats.

2. If you as diplomat even think about suggesting that Taiwan is its own nation, China will give an extremely offended reply. Same will probably happen if you try to negotiate. Either their terms, or you are an enemy. No meeting of equal partners.

3. China has large power over these nations by trading with them. This power will likely increase the more of their infrastructure is ran by China.

4. Eventually China will develop better tools to project power. I don't know what the Chinese analog of the CIA is, but likely they are working on it. Furthermore, recently Xi has opened the first military base outside of the Chinese mainland. If a nation's government defaults on its loans, China will just install a new government. This has little precedent because the change is so recent, but it's not unheard of in the general history of mankind.

[justicezyx]

All your saying is true, but the reality is much less negative than western media's reporting.

One such example: African countries often have the same national control mechanisms practiced by China, for example, 51% equity on joint ventures.

[1] is a good assessment from US scholar.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMCF2eu1D0E

[NonEUCitizen]

Most of those countries remember being conquered and looted by the west. They're not going to just ally with the west -- they'll play both sides (as they should) to get the best deal from China and from the West.

[RestlessMind]

India was colonized by the west and Vietnam recently warred with the US. And yet, today's China is so antagonistic towards these countries that they are tilting towards West (TPP for Vietnam, growing Indo-US collaboration etc).

[landryraccoon]

A country never stops wanting more investment, and once a country has accepted investment money, there are parties in both nations that are incentivized to continue the relationship.

If a country takes money from China, they will continue to want to take more money from China instead of switching to a less well known, more risky alternative.

Also, if a country reneges on their investors, why would investors in any other country want to invest in them? They've already shown a willingness to go back on their agreements.

[novok]

It would probably be part of a negotiation with the west to 'join their side' because they're worried about annexation by china or similar.