As the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) marks its 10th anniversary, young global citizens are weighing in on its impact. The ambitious project, inspired by ancient Silk Road trade networks, has connected over 150 countries and regions through infrastructure development and cross-border collaboration since 2013.
At Tsinghua University, international students shared insights with CGTN. Eakvixay Tran from Laos highlighted the transformative China-Laos Railway: 'It's given landlocked nations like mine direct access to global markets.' World Bank data shows BRI corridors could lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty by 2030.
The initiative's focus on sustainable development aligns with youth priorities – 68% of Gen Z respondents in a 2023 Pew survey cite infrastructure innovation as key to climate action. With new digital Silk Road projects accelerating AI and green energy partnerships, the BRI continues evolving as a platform for South-South cooperation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
