Bloomberg Philanthropies supports China's Belt and Road initiative under environmental guise
- Antha Williams, the head of environmental programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies, is involved as an adviser in a coalition directed by the Chinese government to promote the Belt and Road Initiative.
- The Belt and Road Initiative encompasses various global projects and is framed as a sustainable development effort, though experts warn it serves to enhance China's strategic power.
- The collaboration raises national security concerns for the United States, highlighting vulnerabilities to Chinese influence campaigns.
In February 2024, representatives from Bloomberg Philanthropies participated in a seminar in Indonesia focused on enhancing green cooperation between China and Indonesia, emphasizing the organization's connection to China's Belt and Road Initiative through the Belt and Road International Green Development Coalition. This coalition, established in April 2019 and controlled by China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, aims to generate global backing for the Belt and Road Initiative under the pretense of promoting environmental sustainability. Through its involvement, Bloomberg Philanthropies, led by Antha Williams, has been seen as supporting initiatives that enhance China's global influence, raising serious concerns regarding U.S. national security. Experts argue that this collaboration provides the Chinese Communist Party with tools to strengthen its geopolitical power, potentially compromising American interests and exposing U.S. institutions to Chinese influence. This partnership aligns with previous statements from Michael Bloomberg during his 2020 presidential campaign, where he expressed intentions to assist countries partaking in the Belt and Road Initiative in securing clean energy alternatives.