This year marks the 10th anniversary of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a decade-long endeavor that has significantly transformed global infrastructure and trade. According to Liu Yangsheng, a senior fellow at the Taihe Institute, the BRI's success stems from China's extensive experience in infrastructure development and its commitment to fostering regional integration.
Liu explains that the BRI was launched for two primary reasons. First, China had developed a vast capacity for building infrastructure, which could now be exported to other nations. Second, enhancing the infrastructure of neighboring countries facilitates the free movement of people, goods, and ideas, thereby boosting trade and cultural exchange.
Over the past ten years, the BRI has fostered deeper integration among ASEAN countries, Central Asia, the Middle East, South America, and North Africa. This integration has led to higher efficiency and a broader exchange of goods and services, as well as the sharing of innovative ideas. Liu highlights successful projects like ports in Greece and Portugal, which have thrived under the BRI framework.
In contrast, Western countries have introduced initiatives like the U.S. President Joe Biden's Build Back Better World (B3W) to counter China's influence. However, Liu argues that these Western projects lack the same level of commitment and effectiveness. He points out that the U.S. has not built any new railways in over a century, relying instead on outdated infrastructure that hampers progress.
Liu further criticizes the Western approach, suggesting that projects driven by geopolitical motives are likely to fail. Unlike the BRI, which is based on the needs and requirements of the involved countries, Western initiatives often lack clear objectives and sufficient funding, rendering them empty promises.
As the BRI continues to expand, it solidifies China's role in shaping global trade and infrastructure. The initiative's focus on sustainable and mutually beneficial projects positions it as a pivotal force in driving international progress, while Western alternatives struggle to make a meaningful impact.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
