The World Bank is an organization affiliated with the United Nations that provides loans and development assistance to developing countries. Typically, World Bank loans need to be paid back in USD, and if a country defaults on one of their loans, they will be forced to take austerity measures (cut government spending) in order to pay it back. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a development program run by the government of China. It offers low or interest-free loans to finance the construction of infrastructure such as ports and railroads. BRI loans typically come with fewer strings attached than World Bank loans, but if a country defaults, China can seize the infrastructure built as security.