This year marks the start of the second golden decade of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. As one of the most popular international public goods and cooperation platforms today, the BRI has achieved significant milestones over its 11 years of existence. Its circle of partner countries has grown, its value has increased, and it has paved a high-quality development path that contributes to global prosperity. On December 2, Xi Jinping attended the fourth work conference on Belt and Road construction and delivered an important speech. So, how will the BRI advance in the future?
At the conference held in Beijing on December 2, Xi Jinping highlighted that in the current complex international environment, the high-quality development of the BRI presents both opportunities and challenges, with opportunities outweighing challenges overall. Professor Xu Qinhua, Deputy Director of the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China, emphasized the significance of Xi Jinping’s assessment that “opportunities outweigh challenges”: “The Belt and Road Initiative has achieved significant and visible success over the past decade, enhancing its international appeal and impact,” she stated.
Since its inception, Xi Jinping noted, the BRI has adhered to the principles of peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning, and win-win collaboration. With joint efforts, its scope has continued to expand, its level of cooperation has risen, and its influence has steadily grown. Su Xiaohui, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, highlighted that the initiative has now achieved tangible outcomes: “Once seen as a broad framework, the BRI has transformed into a detailed and concrete initiative. Many countries are experiencing direct benefits,” she said.
In the face of rising unilateralism, protectionism, and frequent local conflicts, Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of effectively managing risks and geopolitical impacts to promote the high-quality development of the BRI. Professor Xu Qinhua underscored the need to integrate security and development: “This conference clearly emphasizes taking concrete steps to address high-quality development and risk management,” she remarked.
In fieldwork, Xi Jinping stressed that different regions should focus on their respective strengths. Coastal regions, for instance, should enhance innovation-driven development in free trade zones, while western regions should prioritize developing land-sea transportation corridors. Chen Zhiping, Chairman of Fujian Port Group, echoed Xi’s vision:
“We will do our utmost to advance common development through infrastructure connectivity and harmonizing standards,” he said.
Xi Jinping expressed confidence in building a more advanced, resilient, and sustainable development path for the BRI. According to his vision, this initiative will strengthen friendship among nations and contribute to shared prosperity.
The second golden decade of the Belt and Road Initiative represents a promising future for global friendship and development.
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2024/1204/c1001-40375370.html