China's "Belt and Road" Initiative -The New Silk Road

While the current Covid-19 epidemic has slowed progress on this massive global initiative, lead by China, it will continue to move forward. China is betting its economic future and global dominance on this important initiative. While many expect it to bring important economic development to poorer parts of the world ( Asia and Africa especially) others express concern that this is a new form of economic imperialism. The concern is around the debt China has being issuing to many countries in order for them to build infrastructure in their countries ( i.e. roads, railways, fibre optic and electricity networks, shipping routes, oil and gas pipelines etc.)

Global colonialism has taken on many forms since the emergence of capitalism in the 16^thcentury, however more recent forms are largely economic.

Do you think the USA is justified in criticizing China over this or is China just playing the same game as the USA has done over the past 100 years?