Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative boosted its green energy financing to a record $20.1bn in the first half of 2026, surpassing the total for all of 2025, according to research by Australia’s University of Queensland and the Green Finance & Development Center in Shanghai.

The surge, driven by cheaper renewable power and the US war in Iran pushing oil prices higher, comprised $11.8bn in construction projects and $8.3bn in investments. Total BRI deals hit a record $126.3bn, with private‑sector participation rising to 48 per cent from 13 % in 2022.

Experts such as Christoph Nedopil Wang note that commercial considerations now outweigh state guidance, reflecting the global competitiveness of China’s cleantech industry. Xi Jinping last week outlined ambitions to rival the US in AI, further linking technology and energy infrastructure.

African countries saw Chinese investments nearly triple to $33.5bn, while Pakistan and Russia recorded no new projects, highlighting shifting geopolitical dynamics.