“一带一路”问与答（五）——“一带一路”与可持续发展

1．有研究称，由于“一带一路”倡议相关项目在世界上一些最原始、最脆弱的生态系统中建设，因此对环境产生重大影响，可能是“历史上风险最大的环境项目”。请问对此有何回应？ 

中国高度重视“一带一路”建设中的生态环境问题。2022年4月，中国国家发展改革委、外交部、生态环境部、商务部四部门联合印发了《关于推进共建“一带一路”绿色发展的意见》，这是践行绿色发展理念、推进生态文明建设的内在要求，也是积极应对气候变化、维护全球生态安全的重大举措，对于推动“一带一路”高质量发展，共筑崇尚自然、绿色发展的生态体系，同心打造人类命运共同体具有重要意义。《意见》从重点领域合作、境外项目以及支撑保障体系三个方面对推进共建“一带一路”绿色发展提出了具体任务要求。其中，绿色、合作和风险防范等关键词贯穿整个《意见》全文，体现了让绿色切实成为共建“一带一路”底色的根本遵循。

“一带一路”沿线尽管自然资源禀赋充足，但大多处于生态环境脆弱带，加上人类活动强烈、生态足迹较大，许多沿线国家和地区正面临城市化、工业化等进程导致的各种生态环境问题。中国在推进共建“一带一路”倡议时，充分尊重共建国家实际，以绿色发展理念为引领，注重经济社会发展与生态环境保护相协调，共同打造“绿色丝绸之路”。

在巴基斯坦，为保护当地特有的马哈西尔鱼、阿尔万雪鳟鱼，中方在建设卡洛特水电站之初便专门邀请生态专家进行调研评估，随后项目组根据专家调研意见，对受影响区域开展环保巡视和保护活动，在施工区树立禁渔标识，在溢洪道设置生态流量泄放孔和闸门，用于机组停运期间泄放生态流量；在加纳，中方在建设特马港新集装箱码头时格外重视对海龟生存环境的监测，专门建立了一座“海龟孕育中心”；在肯尼亚，中企在修建蒙内铁路时增加桥墩高度、设置声音屏障，以保护野生动物的迁徙通道；在克罗地亚，中企在建设佩列沙茨大桥过程中采用气泡幕降噪、远距离运输钻渣等手段，以减少施工对海洋鱼类的影响……上述种种，都是“绿色丝绸之路”的生动体现。

2．有观点质疑“一带一路”对生态环境造成破坏，称超过60%的“一带一路”专项能源融资投向了不可再生资源，“一带一路”沿线十几个国家温室气体排放量大幅上升。请问这一情况是否属实？这是否与中方倡导的绿色发展理念相违背？ 

“一带一路”能源合作将绿色作为主基调，在推动绿色低碳发展、全产业链合作、对接可持续发展目标以及践行多边主义方面，取得了丰硕成果，为应对气候变化作出了积极贡献。根据中国环境与发展国际合作委员会报告，2000—2021年间，中国为海外能源项目提供了2350亿美元的开发性融资，超过了多边开发银行同期提供的金额。2022年，“一带一路”投融资总额为678亿美元，其中超过1/3（241亿美元）用于电力、运输和供热部门。中国近年来已成为可再生能源的重要国际投资方，与100多个国家达成了发展低碳发电的协议。

中国正在利用自身的政策、技术和资金优势，助力“一带一路”沿线国家实现能源转型。2021年，习近平主席在出席第七十六届联合国大会一般性辩论时宣布，中国将大力支持发展中国家能源绿色低碳发展，不再新建境外煤电项目。这是中国继提出双碳目标后，又一次向全世界作出的庄严承诺。2022年3月，国家发展改革委等部门《关于推进共建“一带一路”绿色发展的意见》出台，《意见》指出，全面停止新建境外煤电项目，稳慎推进在建境外煤电项目，推动建成境外煤电项目绿色低碳发展，鼓励相关企业加强煤炭清洁高效利用，“一带一路”的绿色底色更加鲜明。

“一带一路”能源合作高度对接联合国可持续发展目标，为国际社会提供基础性公共产品。在“一带一路”能源合作伙伴关系38个成员国当中，联合国可持续发展目标重点关注的小岛屿发展中国家、内陆发展中国家和最不发达国家接近半数。推动“一带一路”绿色、包容、可持续的能源合作，是中国通过自身努力为全球可持续发展提供的基础性国际公共产品，体现了中国主动作为的大国担当。

3．有观点称，由于共建“一带一路”倡议规模庞大，一些国家会出现依赖性，进而导致其经济结构发生变化，影响其经济可持续发展。请问对此有何回应？

这种观点缺乏对共建国家的深入调查研究。首先，参与“一带一路”有助于加强共建国家间的经济联系，形成一个互惠共生的大市场。一方面，“一带一路”将活跃的东亚经济圈、发达的欧洲经济圈，以及中间腹地经济发展潜力巨大的国家联系起来，推动共建国家的经济增长。另一方面，由于中国有着相对成熟的工业体系、较为先进的技术水平和工业流程，通过加强与中国的合作，能够帮助共建国家迅速切入全球价值链分工，利用本国禀赋优势开展专业化生产，成为全球分工体系的一员。

其次，中国与共建“一带一路”国家的合作，有助于促成共建国经济内生增长动能的形成和壮大。“一带一路”要解决的一个重要问题，就是要谋求实现全球性的普惠性发展。具体来说，就是要推动实现现代化成果的各国共享，突破旧的国际分工格局，使得不发达国家和发展中国家都能获得现代化发展所需要的相关技术和知识，缩小发展鸿沟。中国在推动共建“一带一路”的过程中，非常重视产业专业、基础设施和工人培训，这些做法恰恰是提升沿线国家内生动力的关键。

最后，中国的投资具有较强的催化剂和杠杆效应。近年来，中国对共建国家的投资以交通、能源、医院、学校等城市建设为主，这些投资周期长、见效慢，此前很多发达国家的投资者不愿意进入。但中国的投资进入后，由于有了启动资金和基础设施，很快吸引了其他投资者，孵化和杠杆放大效应非常明显。这些变化都是共建国家经济可持续发展的重要基础。

4．有评论认为，“一带一路”倡议最初是在模糊的行动计划下运行的，缺乏连贯的实施战略，一些既有项目被重新标记为“一带一路”项目，相关宣传远超实际成效。请问中方对此作何回应？ 

“一带一路”倡议从提出到实施，是一个内涵丰富、涉及面广、包容性强的巨大发展平台，有着明确的推进思路。

2013年，中国提出“一带一路”倡议，其首要意义在于经济内涵。“一带一路”倡议包括了共建丝绸之路经济带重大倡议、共建21世纪海上丝绸之路重大倡议。“一带一路”不是古丝绸之路的简单升级，而是借用古丝绸之路的历史符号，融入了新的时代内涵；“一带一路”更不是“带”和“路”的地理概念，而是中国向世界提供的国际合作平台和公共产品，是一项开放包容的经济合作倡议。

2015年，中国发布《推动共建丝绸之路经济带和21世纪海上丝绸之路的愿景与行动》，其中详细描述了“丝绸之路经济带”和“21世纪海上丝绸之路”的发展构想。在主要发展方向上，提出在欧洲和亚洲之间建立新的大陆桥；建设中国—蒙古—俄罗斯国际经济合作走廊；联通中国—中亚—西亚通道；建设中国—中南半岛国际经济合作走廊。此外，还确定了五个落实倡议的主要合作模式，包括政策沟通、设施联通、贸易畅通、资金融通和民心相通等。

从2013年底至今，在“一带一路”倡议落实的过程中，中国不断加强与共建国家的合作，“六廊六路多国多港”的主体框架日渐成熟，“一带一路”的内涵越来越丰富、成果越来越丰硕。10年来，中国与150多个国家、30多个国际组织签署了230多份共建“一带一路”合作文件。2013—2022年，中国与共建国家进出口总额累计19.1万亿美元，年均增长6.4%；与共建国家双向投资累计超过3800亿美元，其中中国对外直接投资超过2400亿美元；中国在共建国家承包工程新签合同额、完成营业额累计分别达到2万亿美元、1.3万亿美元。中巴经济走廊、新亚欧大陆桥经济走廊、中国－中南半岛经济走廊、中蒙俄经济走廊、中国－中亚－西亚经济走廊、孟中印缅经济走廊建成了一大批提振地区经济的基础设施项目，中欧班列、中欧陆海快线、西部陆海新通道、连云港－霍尔果斯新亚欧陆海联运等国际多式联运稳步发展……这些都是实实在在的成果，是中国与共建国家共同结出的务实合作之花。

5．一些中国参与建设的“一带一路”项目据称存在施工缺陷问题，有可能使关键基础设施瘫痪，还可能使相关国家在未来几年为补救问题而承担更多费用。请问对此有何评论？ 

事实胜于雄辩。比如中国电建集团承建的厄瓜多尔辛克雷水电站，自2010年开工建设以来，对它的抹黑和造谣就从未停止过。2016年4月，厄瓜多尔发生了7.8级强烈地震，辛克雷水电站不仅安然无恙，反而在地震第二天就恢复了供电，为厄瓜多尔的救灾和医疗救助提供了宝贵的电能。但在该项目开始的时候就有美国地质学家称，辛克雷水电站的选址有问题，因为其坐落在一座活火山下，一场地震就可能将其全部抹去。事实已经证明其言论纯属无稽之谈。近期，又有美国媒体宣称“辛克雷水电站已出现数千条裂缝，存在坍塌危险”。对此，国际第三方独立检测机构（德国南德意志集团TUVSUD公司）出具评估报告，认为相关问题不影响机组运行及安全，电站50年设计寿命内安全无虞。厄瓜多尔前电力和新能源部长米格尔·卡拉奥拉诺在接受记者采访时也表示：“有人说这个水电站没用，但它已经为我们提供了近42000千兆瓦时的电力。相关报道有明显的政治动因，企图损害中国和拉美国家间的关系。”

“一带一路”建设给共建国家带来巨大福祉。对于乌干达来说，电力短缺曾是该国经济增长和工业化的障碍。如今，伊辛巴水电站发电量占乌全国总装机容量的14%。卡鲁玛水电站完工后，乌干达发电能力将在原有基础上提升40%。安哥拉首都罗安达附近的基兰巴新城住宅项目一期工程完工10年后，有极个别住户反映了房屋存在问题，但基本都因不合规的装修所致。安哥拉工程师卡洛斯·奥古斯托说，住宅项目施工质量很好，建成的住宅也达到了满入住率。

事实证明，“一带一路”倡议下的基础设施建设项目获得普遍成功，帮助了所在国实现基础设施的革新和经济社会的发展，赢得了当地政府和民众认可。

6．有观点称，由于许多项目未达到或未实现预期效果，“一带一路”倡议将从陆地和海洋经济合作的战略愿景退缩到区域多边合作倡议，请问对此作何评论？ 

“一带一路”倡议实际效果远超预期。十年来，“一带一路”合作从亚欧大陆延伸到非洲和拉美，150多个国家、30多个国际组织签署共建“一带一路”合作文件，三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛成功举办，成立了20多个专业领域多边合作平台；其致力构建的以经济走廊为引领、以大通道和信息高速公路为骨架、以铁路、公路、机场、港口、管网为依托、涵盖陆、海、天、网的全球互联互通网络，有效促进了各国商品、资金、技术、人员的大流通。

“一带一路”倡议实施以来，大大促进了全球范围陆地和海洋经济合作，也大大推动了区域多边合作。传统全球化由海而起，沿海地区、海洋国家先发展起来，陆上国家、内地则较落后，形成巨大的贫富差距。传统全球化由欧洲开辟，由美国发扬光大，形成了以西方为中心的国际秩序，导致东方从属于西方、陆地从属于海洋等一系列负面效应。如今，“一带一路”正在推动全球经济再平衡，涵盖了陆地与海洋经济合作，使沿途、沿岸国家首先获益，给历史上属于发展“洼地”的国家和地区带来了发展机遇，有效弥合了全球南北方贫富差距和地区发展不平衡，推动建立持久和平、普遍安全、共同繁荣的世界。

当前和今后一段时期，“一带一路”的愿景正从谋篇布局的“大写意”阶段，转向精耕细作的“工笔画”阶段，致力于把规划图转化为实景图。中国国家主席习近平在第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛开幕式上的主旨演讲中宣布了中国支持高质量共建“一带一路”的八项行动，包括构建“一带一路”立体互联互通网络、支持建设开放型世界经济、开展务实合作、促进绿色发展、推动科技创新、支持民间交往、建设廉洁之路、完善“一带一路”国际合作机制等方面，这将使“一带一路”的前景更加光明、更具生命力。

1. Question: Some studies suggest that due to the construction of projects under the BRI in some of the world’s most pristine and vulnerable ecosystems, there is a significant environmental impact, potentially making them the “most environmentally risky projects in history”. What is your response to this? 

Answer: China attaches great importance to ecological and environmental issues in the construction of the Belt and Road. In April 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and the Ministry of Commerce jointly issued the Opinions on Jointly Promoting Green Development of the Belt and Road, which is an inherent requirement for practicing the concept of green development and promoting ecological civilization. It is also a major initiative to actively address climate change and maintain global ecological security. This is of great significance for promoting high-quality development of the Belt and Road, building an ecological system that respects nature and green development, and jointly creating a community of shared future for mankind. The Opinions put forward specific tasks and requirements for promoting the green development of the BRI from three aspects: key areas of cooperation, overseas projects, support and guarantee systems. Keywords such as green, cooperation, and risk prevention run through the entire text of the Opinions, reflecting the fundamental principle of making green the underlying color of jointly building the Belt and Road.

Although the Belt and Road regions are rich in natural resources, they are mostly in ecologically fragile zones. With intense human activities and significant ecological footprints, many countries and regions along the Belt and Road are facing various ecological and environmental issues caused by the processes of urbanization and industrialization. In promoting the BRI, China fully respects the actual conditions of the participating countries. Guided by the concept of green development, it emphasizes the coordination of economic and social development with ecological and environmental protection, working with the participating countries to jointly create a Green Silk Road.

In Pakistan, to protect the local Mahseer fish and Alwan snow trout, the Chinese side invited ecological experts to conduct research and assessments at the beginning of the Karot Hydropower Station construction. Subsequently, the project team, based on the experts’ opinions, carried out environmental patrols and protection activities in the affected areas, erected no-fishing signs in the construction area, and set up ecological flow release holes and gates at the spillway for releasing ecological flow during the unit shutdown period. In Ghana, the Chinese side placed special emphasis on monitoring the habitat of sea turtles while constructing the new container terminal at Tema Port, and specifically established a “Sea Turtle Breeding Center”. In Kenya, Chinese enterprises increased the height of bridge piers and installed sound barriers during the construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway to protect the migration routes of wildlife. In Croatia, Chinese enterprises took measures such as bubble curtains for noise reduction and long-distance transportation of drilling debris during the construction of the Pelješac Bridge to minimize the impact on marine fish. All these efforts vividly illustrate the concept of a Green Silk Road.

2. Question: There are views questioning whether the BRI causes ecological damage, stating that over 60% of the BRI special energy financing is directed towards non-renewable resources, and that greenhouse gas emissions have significantly increased in more than a dozen countries along the Belt and Road. Is this true? Does it contradict the green development concept advocated by China? 

Answer: The BRI energy cooperation takes green as the main theme, achieving fruitful results in promoting green and low-carbon development, whole industry chain cooperation, aligning with sustainable development goals, and practicing multilateralism. This represents positive contributions to addressing climate change. According to the report by the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, between 2000 and 2021, China provided USD 235 billion in development financing for overseas energy projects, surpassing the amount provided by multilateral development banks during the same period. In 2022, the total investment and financing under the BRI amounted to USD 67.8 billion, with more than one-third (USD 24.1 billion) allocated to the power, transportation, and heating sectors. Over recent years, China has become a significant international investor in renewable energy, reaching agreements with over 100 countries to develop low-carbon power generation.

China is leveraging its policy, technology, and financial advantages to assist countries along the Belt and Road in achieving energy transition. In 2021, President Xi Jinping announced at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly that China will vigorously support the green and low-carbon energy development of developing countries and will no longer build new coal power projects abroad. This is another solemn commitment made by China to the world after setting its dual carbon goals. In March 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments issued the Opinions on Jointly Promoting Green Development of the Belt and Road. The Opinions pointed out that the construction of new overseas coal power projects will be completely stopped, the construction of ongoing overseas coal power projects will be steadily and prudently advanced, the green and low-carbon development of completed overseas coal power projects will be promoted, and relevant enterprises will be encouraged to strengthen the clean and efficient utilization of coal. This has made the green background of the Belt and Road more distinct.

The BRI energy cooperation is highly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, providing fundamental public goods to the international community. Among the 38 member countries of the BRI energy partnership, nearly half are small island developing states, landlocked developing countries, and the least developed countries, which are the focus of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Promoting green, inclusive, and sustainable energy cooperation under the BRI is a fundamental international public good provided by China through its own efforts for global sustainable development, reflecting its proactive role and sense of responsibility as a major country.

3. Question: Some argue that due to the large scale of the BRI, some countries may become dependent, which could lead to changes in their economic structure and affect their sustainable economic development. What is your comment on this?

Answer: Those holding this viewpoint lack in-depth research on the participating countries. Firstly, participating in the BRI helps strengthen the economic ties between the participating countries, forming a mutually beneficial and symbiotic large market. On the one hand, the BRI connects the active East Asian economic circle, the developed European economic circle, and countries with great economic development potential in the central hinterland, thus promoting the economic growth of the participating countries. On the other hand, since China has a relatively mature industrial system, advanced technological level, and industrial processes, strengthening cooperation with China can help participating countries quickly integrate into the division of labor in the global value chain. They can then utilize their own endowment advantages to carry out specialized production and become a part of the global division of labor system.

Secondly, cooperation between China and countries jointly building the Belt and Road helps foster and strengthen the endogenous growth momentum of the participating countries. One important issue that the BRI aims to address is to seek the realization of global inclusive development. Specifically, it aims to promote the sharing of modernization achievements among countries, and break through the old international division of labor pattern. In this way, underdeveloped and developing countries can acquire the necessary technologies and knowledge for modernization, thereby bridging the development gap. In the process of promoting the joint construction of the Belt and Road, China places great emphasis on industrial specialization, infrastructure, and worker training. These practices are precisely the key to enhancing the endogenous power of the countries along the route.

Finally, China’s investment has a strong catalytic effect and leverage effect. In recent years, China’s investment in participating countries has mainly focused on urban construction such as transportation, energy, hospitals, and schools. These investments have long cycles and slow returns, which previously deterred many investors from developed countries. However, after China’s investment entered, the initial funding and infrastructure quickly attracted other investors, showing a significant incubation and leverage effect. These changes are crucial foundations for the sustainable economic development of participating countries.

4. Question: Some commentators believe that the BRI initially operated under a vague action plan, lacking a coherent implementation strategy. Some existing projects were re-branded as Belt and Road projects, and the related publicity far exceeded the actual results. How does the Chinese side respond to this? 

Answer: The BRI is a vast development platform with rich connotations, wide coverage, and strong inclusiveness, with a clear idea of advancement.

In 2013, China proposed the BRI, with its primary focus on its economic connotation. The BRI includes the major proposals of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and of jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The BRI is not a simple upgrade of the ancient Silk Road, rather it borrows the historical symbol of the ancient Silk Road and integrates the connotations of the new era with it. The BRI is not merely a geographical concept of “belt” and “road”, but an international cooperation platform and public good provided by China to the world. It is an open and inclusive economic cooperation initiative.

In 2015, China released the Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, which detailed the development concepts of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st-Century Maritime Silk Road”. In terms of main development directions, it proposed establishing a new Eurasian Land Bridge between Europe and Asia; developing the China-Mongolia-Russia International Economic Cooperation Corridor; connecting the China-Central Asia-West Asia Corridor; and building the China-Indochina Peninsula International Economic Cooperation Corridor. In addition, five main cooperation modes for implementing the initiative have been identified, including policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bond.

From the end of 2013 to the present, in the process of implementing the BRI, China has continuously strengthened cooperation with participating countries. The main framework of “six corridors, six routes, multiple countries and ports” has gradually matured, enriching the connotation of the BRI and yielding increasingly fruitful results. Over the past 10 years, China has signed more than 230 cooperation documents for jointly building the Belt and Road with over 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations. From 2013 to 2022, the total import and export volume between China and participating countries reached USD 19.1 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The cumulative two-way investment between China and participating countries exceeded USD 380 billion, of which China’s foreign direct investment exceeded USD 240 billion. The value of new contracts and completed turnover for contract engineering projects undertaken by China in participating countries reached USD 2 trillion and USD 1.3 trillion respectively. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor, the China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor, the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, the China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor, and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor have seen the completion of a large number of infrastructure projects that boost regional economies. The China-Europe Railway Express, the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line, the New Western Land-Sea Corridor, and the Lianyungang-Khorgos New Eurasian Land-Sea Multimodal Transport have steadily developed... These are tangible results, which are the fruits of pragmatic cooperation between China and participating countries.

5. Question: Some Belt and Road projects involving Chinese participation are reported to have construction defects, which could paralyze the critical infrastructure and potentially burden relevant countries with additional costs for remediation in the coming years. What is your comment on this? 

Answer: Facts speak louder than words. For example, the Sinclair Hydropower Station in Ecuador, built by the Power Construction Corporation of China, has been subject to slander and rumors since its construction that began in 2010. In April 2016, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador. The Sinclair Hydropower Station not only remained intact but also resumed power supply the day after the earthquake, providing valuable electricity for Ecuador’s disaster relief and medical aid. However, at the start of the project, American geologists claimed that the site selection for the hydropower station was problematic because it was located at the foot of an active volcano, and an earthquake could wipe it out entirely. Facts have proven that their statements were utterly unfounded. Recently, some U.S. media claimed that “thousands of cracks have appeared in the Sinclair Hydropower Station, posing a risk of collapse”. In response, an international third-party independent testing agency (TÜV SÜD Group, Germany) issued an assessment report, stating that relevant issues do not affect the operation or safety of the generator sets, and that the station is safe within its 50-year design life. Miguel Calahorrano, former Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy of Ecuador, also stated in an interview with reporters: “Some people say this hydropower station is useless, but it has already provided us with nearly 42,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity. The related reports have obvious political motives, attempting to damage the relationship between China and Latin American countries.”

The construction of the Belt and Road has brought great benefits to the participating countries. For Uganda, power shortages used to be an obstacle to the country’s economic growth and industrialization. Today, the Isimba Hydropower Plant accounts for 14% of Uganda’s total installed capacity. Upon completion of the Karuma Hydropower Station, Uganda’s power generation capacity will increase by 40% from its original base. Ten years after the completion of the first phase of the Kilamba New City housing project near Luanda, the capital of Angola, only a very small number of the residents reported problems with their houses, but these were mostly due to non-compliant renovations. Angolan engineer Carlos Augusto said that the construction quality of the residential project is very good, and the completed residences have achieved full occupancy.

It has been proven that infrastructure construction projects under the BRI have achieved widespread success, helping host countries achieve infrastructure innovation and socio-economic development. They have gained recognition from local governments and people.

6. Question: Some people hold the view that because many of the projects have failed to achieve the expected results, the BRI will retreat from a strategic vision of land and maritime economic cooperation to a regional multilateral cooperation initiative. What is your comment on this? 

Answer: The actual results of the BRI have far exceeded expectations. Over the past decade, the Belt and Road cooperation has extended from the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America, with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations signing documents for the Belt and Road cooperation. The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation has been held successfully for three sessions, and more than 20 multilateral cooperation platforms in specialized fields have been established. The network it aims to build is led by economic corridors, and supported by major channels and information highways. Relying on railways, highways, airports, ports, and pipelines, it covers land, sea, sky, and the internet, effectively promoting the large-scale circulation of goods, capital, technology, and personnel across countries.

Since its implementation, the BRI has greatly promoted land and maritime economic cooperation on a global scale, and has also significantly advanced regional multilateral cooperation. Traditional globalization started from the sea, with coastal areas and maritime countries developing first, while landlocked countries and inland areas lagged behind, creating a huge wealth gap. Traditional globalization was pioneered by Europe and further developed by the United States, forming a West-centric international order, and leading to a series of negative effects such as the East being subordinate to the West and land being subordinate to the sea. Today, the BRI is promoting global economic rebalancing, encompassing both land and maritime economic cooperation. While allowing countries along the route and coastlines to benefit first, it brings development opportunities for historically underdeveloped regions and countries, effectively addressing the global North-South wealth gap and regional development imbalances, and building a world characterized by lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.

At present, as well as in the upcoming period, the vision of the BRI is transitioning from making high-level plans to intensive and meticulous implementation, aiming to transform the blueprint into a reality. In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the eight major steps to support the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, including building a multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network, supporting the construction of an open world economy, carrying out practical cooperation, promoting green development, advancing scientific and technological innovation, supporting people-to-people exchanges, promoting integrity-based Belt and Road cooperation, and strengthening institutional building for international Belt and Road cooperation. These actions will make the Belt and Road’s future brighter and more vibrant.