The Belt and Road Initiative: From China, for the world

President Xi Jinping speaks at Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan, September 7, 2013, proposing the creation of the Silk Road Economic Belt. [Photo: Xinhua]

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI). In the six years since its launch, the BRI has transformed from a vision to reality. 126 countries and 29 international organizations have signed BRI cooperation documents with China. China's BRI partners spread throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania and Latin America.

Birth of the BRI

More than 2,100 years ago, Zhang Qian of the Han Dynasty was twice sent into Central Asia as an imperial envoy to open the door to friendly exchanges between China and the region's main kingdoms and tribes. This set the stage for the creation of the original Silk Road, a series of east-west trade routes which eventually linked Europe with Asia.

"Countries with differences in race, beliefs and cultural backgrounds can absolutely share peace and development as long as they persist in unity and mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit, mutual tolerance and learning from each other, as well as cooperation and the principle of win-win," said Chinese President Xi Jinping while first proposing the creation of the Silk Road Economic Belt during his visit to Kazakhstan in September, 2013.

While visiting Indonesia in the following month, Xi Jinping further proposed the idea of a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Unveiling that concept, Xi noted that Southeast Asia was an important link on the original maritime Silk Road. He voiced China's hope to strengthen maritime cooperation with ASEAN countries.

President Xi Jinping poses for pictures with participants attending the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Beijing, May 14, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

What exactly is the BRI

The concept of the Belt and Road is a blend of history and modern practicality. It is an international economic cooperation initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Its mandate is to strengthen all-round connectivity and create new momentum in world economic growth by being a new platform for international economic cooperation, with a focus on infrastructure construction.

Spirit of the BRI

The core philosophy of the BRI is to create peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. It's also based on the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration. This theory suggests that discussion can bring great minds together to find better solutions to various problems, while collaboration allows all involved to play to their strengths. The guiding thought is to share growth and benefit more people.

The BRI and Connectivity

Xi Jinping has suggested that if the Belt and Road is likened to the wings of a soaring Asia, then connectivity is the wings' arteries and veins. Connectivity through the BRI should be created by combining the building of infrastructure, the development of stronger regulations and the promotion of more personnel exchanges. It should feature policy communication, infrastructure connectivity, undisrupted trade flows, financing availability and people-to-people exchanges.

President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech entitled "Work Together to Build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road" at the opening ceremony of the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Beijing, May 14, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

From China, for the world

President Xi Jinping has reiterated on many occasions that the Belt and Road Initiative is not a solo performance but rather an invitation open to all. "It is not meant to create a backyard garden for China, but rather a garden shared by all countries. The initiative advocates a Chinese solution to help stimulate global growth and promote prosperity for all," said Xi Jinping.

Over the past six years, a number of major projects have been launched through the Belt and Road Initiative. These include the creation of the China-Belarus Industrial Park and major upgrades to the Port of Gwadar in Pakistan. The BRI is also active in agriculture, cross-border connectivity and the establishment of free-trade zones. Participating countries are now linking their development strategies with China. The Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway, the China-Europe freight train service, and many other job-creating BRI projects have proven capable of changing lives for the better.

Future development

Addressing a symposium to mark the 5th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi Jinping emphasized that the next phase is to advocate for, and develop, more high-quality projects.

The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation opens on Thursday, with leaders from 37 countries attending, ready to usher in a new era of cooperation.