The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China in 2013, stands as a transformative force in the 21st century, guiding the world from uncertainty towards a trajectory of common prosperity.
What sets the BRI apart is its unique approach to policy coordination, distinguishing it from other international alliances and blocs that often comprise exclusive groups of nations with similar structures. According to the white paper titled \"The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future,\" policy coordination is the cornerstone of BRI cooperation. This collaborative framework enables joint efforts in regional planning, accelerating cooperation, and fostering international exchanges.
The principle of policy coordination emphasizes inclusive participation and aligns with the development strategies of all involved countries and regions. This approach contrasts with the unilateral "rules-based order" that has led to increased global instability.
A recent testament to the success of this principle is the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit held in Riyadh on December 10, 2022. During the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined comprehensive economic, financial, and cultural measures in partnership with GCC countries. The focus areas included long-term trade in oil and gas using local currencies, infrastructure projects in nuclear power and space technology, advancements in telecommunications and AI, digitalization, industrial initiatives, and transport infrastructure projects.
Further exemplifying the BRI's impact, the normalization of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March 2023 was brokered by China, highlighting the BRI's role in fostering diplomatic and economic ties. At the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh this June, 30 investment agreements worth $10 billion were signed, demonstrating robust economic, cultural, security, technological, and scientific cooperation between Chinese and Saudi entities.
In Central Asia, the historic China-Central Asia Summit in Xi'an in May 2023 saw leaders aligning their national development plans with the BRI. This alignment has led to significant growth in trade with China and the integration of infrastructural and agro-industrial projects into the BRI framework.
These examples underscore the BRI's effectiveness in creating a platform for policy coordination among partner countries, offering substantial developmental opportunities. Over the past decade, the BRI has not only fueled world economic growth but also provided viable solutions for enhancing global governance.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
