85. Brazil and China's Digital Silk Road: Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Implications

da Silva, F. B., & Duarte, P. A. B. (2025). Brazil and China’s Digital Silk Road: Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Implications. Global Policy, 16(4), 655–668. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.70027This article examines Brazil’s engagement with China’s Digital Silk Road (DSR), arguing that it is best understood through the lens of Digitalpolitik, where digital infrastructures serve as instruments of geopolitical power. Using qualitative analysis, expert interviews, and an online survey, the study finds that the DSR strengthens Brazil’s digital ecosystem while simultaneously creating risks for its digital sovereignty.The DSR—an extension of China’s Belt and Road Initiative—focuses on advanced technology fields such as 5G, AI, big data, cloud computing, and smart-city systems. China’s digital footprint in Brazil is already substantial, including Huawei-led 5G networks, submarine cables, data centers, surveillance technologies, and deepening participation in e-commerce and fintech through firms like Alibaba and Tencent.Survey results show mixed perceptions: respondents largely view the DSR’s influence as positive, but many also identify security risks tied to dependence on Chinese digital infrastructure. The article concludes that Brazil’s growing integration into the DSR offers opportunities for digital modernization but increases vulnerability to foreign control of data, making it essential for Brazil to diversify partners and safeguard digital sovereignty.