There is genuine demand among these developing countries for the roads, railways, ports and power projects China has been building under BRI. It fills a vital developmental gap.
Armenia is one of the first countries to welcome the Belt and Road Initiative. Sergey Manassarian, the Armenian ambassador to China, says the BRI is more than a business program. The BRI is a unique program with the main purpose of establishing a justified world, creating the possibility for all countries to develop, and for achieving a shared future, he said.
Amid economic recessions, unilateralism, protectionism, and regional disputes, the BRI has stood as a tangible framework, addressing concerns through infrastructure and information initiatives.
Since Tanzania joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2018, vital infrastructure projects remain ongoing and bilateral trade between Tanzania and China has increased to over $8 billion. “If we had no option of Chinese enterprises, we would pay an arm and a leg to realize such projects,” said Mbelwa Kairuki, former Tanzanian ambassador to China.
Nepal’s ambassador to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, says the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is bringing the people of Nepal and China closer together and strengthening the country’s economic development. Connectivity is the most important thing he said, adding that the China-Nepal cross-border railway, will not only connect Nepal and China physically but, also connect the hearts of the people of the two countries.
African countries are important partners and active participants in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Rahamtalla M. Osman, African Union Representative to China, said that BRI is a win-win cooperation between China and all participating members.
“I think we have to separate propaganda from reality. Sri Lanka did not fall into a trap.” Talking about critics of the Belt and Road Initiative accusing China of pursuing a policy of “debt-trap diplomacy”, Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to China, Dr. Palitha Kohona, refuted the allegations. On the contrary, BRI-related investments will help Sri Lanka to extricate itself from the massive financial crisis that it is facing. He said BRI will help developing countries achieve a higher level of development.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. What significant results have been achieved through BRI cooperation? How have different countries and regions benefited from this transformative initiative? Join us through the lens of ambassadors from BRI partners to hear about the positive changes that the BRI has brought over the past decade. Stay tuned!
The Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative have taken root and borne fruits, bringing prosperity and stability to the world and creating substantive benefits for the people.
GDI has enhanced the representation and voice of developing countries at the global arena against protectionism, unilateralism and isolationism.
In this spirit of partnership, the Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030 beckon us to envision a world where boundaries are bridges and differences are opportunities.
China, and indeed the other BRICS members, do want to create multipolarity to replace what has long been and to some extent remains a unipolar world order.
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