China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has reached a momentous milestone in achieving high-quality cooperation, as demonstrated by the just-concluded forum held in Beijing to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The forum marked a significant consensus among participating countries, signaling a new era of development and cooperation within the Belt and Road framework.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his keynote speech at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, expressed China’s commitment to working with all involved parties to elevate the Belt and Road cooperation to a new level of high-quality development. Xi emphasized the tireless efforts required to achieve modernization for all nations.
The BRI has created beneficial conditions for countries in the Global South, according to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The initiative has not only improved infrastructure and attracted foreign direct investment but also accelerated economic growth, regional and global integration, and people-to-people exchanges. China, as the initiator of the BRI, has actively pursued impactful projects in various sectors such as transportation, education, healthcare, and agriculture, effectively alleviating poverty and enhancing the well-being of communities in disadvantaged areas. Statistics reveal that the BRI has lifted approximately 40 million people out of poverty in participating countries. Moreover, it has catalyzed over USD 1 trillion of global investment, leading to the creation of more than 3,000 projects and the generation of 420,000 jobs over the past decade alone.
Experts believe that the BRI has the potential to significantly boost the global economy. A report by global economic consultants Cebr predicts that the BRI could increase world GDP by USD 7.1 trillion per year by 2040.
Damilola Ogunbiyi, the special representative of the UN secretary-general for sustainable energy for all, highlighted the BRI’s ability to promote renewable energy adoption across the Global South in the coming decade. With China being a major manufacturer of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles, the BRI is well-positioned to facilitate the adoption of low-carbon technologies on a large scale in emerging economies and developing nations.
The success of the Belt and Road Initiative over the past decade can be attributed to its core principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. The initiative has gradually established a new vision of global development and governance, focusing on development-oriented, open cooperation and multilateral consultation. It aims to create a more equitable and just global governance system. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the BRI’s accomplishments, stating that it has become an important international public good recognized worldwide. He expressed confidence in the initiative’s future achievements and emphasized the need for strengthening collaboration with China within multilateral mechanisms to promote a fair and reasonable global governance system.
Martin Albrow, a fellow of the British Academy of Social Sciences, remarked on the profound shift from a unipolar to a multipolar world brought about by China’s influence through the BRI. The Belt and Road cooperation encompasses almost 75 percent of the world’s countries and is characterized by mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships. Albrow describes this as relational power, emphasizing the ease of communication, initiation of contact, and mutual interests shared between the countries involved. He highlights the positive outcomes of China’s relational philosophy on emerging economies, developing nations, and global governance.
The BRI’s grand vision is to collectively modernize the world, as emphasized by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The initiative has provided a platform for common development and has helped boost the modernization efforts of many developing countries. More than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have already signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements, spanning regions from Eurasia to Africa and Latin America.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev views the joint construction of the Belt and Road as a model of international cooperation that has garnered global participation. He stresses the importance of international mutual trust, particularly in the current complex geopolitical landscape. Uzbekistan is ready to deepen green cooperation with Belt and Road partner countries to create a sustainable future for all.
The BRI has also prioritized environmental protection and sustainable development. Projects have been focused on promoting harmony between humans and nature, resulting in significant environmental contributions. Erik Solheim, president of the Green Belt and Road Institute and former under-secretary-general of the United Nations, lauds the BRI’s commitment to green initiatives, noting the substantial investments in solar, wind, hydro, and green transportation. Solheim believes that the BRI will become the world’s leading platform for green investments.
Innovation has played a crucial role in empowering the BRI, leading to the establishment of a digital silk road and fostering new partnerships. Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, head of the Center for Brazil-China Studies, recognizes that the BRI is not limited to Asia but is open to all interested countries worldwide. He mentions Brazil and other Latin American nations as examples of countries benefitting from the BRI’s digital connectivity and innovation.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expresses confidence in his country’s high-quality development as it makes strides in digitalization, innovation, and artificial intelligence. He sees the BRI as a powerful engine for global economic growth, tirelessly working for the benefit of all.
Over the past decade, China’s support for infrastructure development and connectivity projects worldwide has presented countries with opportunities to improve their trade networks and unlock their economic potential. Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, commends China’s contributions and believes that the BRI will continue to be a catalyst for global economic growth while fostering a shared future for humanity.
The 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative marks a significant milestone in achieving high-quality cooperation among participating countries. With its commitment to modernization and shared development, the BRI has made a lasting impact on global governance, poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. As the initiative looks toward its next golden decade, it is poised to generate fresh opportunities and greater benefits for nations worldwide.
