Belt and road by numbers

Since its inception six years ago, the Belt and Road initiative has created opportunities from scratch and has created whole from the sum of its parts, with progress and achievements exceeding expectations and continuous attention and increasing recognition at home and abroad. The “five connectivity”, namely, policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bond, has proved a great boost for construction of the Belt and Road. In practice, China and countries along the Belt and Road have forged a pattern of cooperation featuring openness, inclusiveness, mutual benefits and mutual learning. Over the past six years, the five components of the “five connectivity” have advanced together and complemented each other. First, the “five connectivity” has enhanced connectivity between countries along the BRI and led the development of international cooperation. It helps remove barriers in policy, project and personnel exchange between countries, achieve economic integration, coordinated development and shared benefits and further promote mutual understanding, respect and trust between different countries. Through pragmatic collaboration under the “five connectivity”, BRI countries are realizing balanced, sustainable development and deepening regional cooperation. Second, the components of the “five connectivity” support and complement each other to promote implementation of the BRI. Despite the fact that they have different priorities, the five components form an organic, interactive relationship. Policy coordination provides top-level guarantee for the “five connectivity”, facilities connectivity and unimpeded trade provide project-based support, financial integration secures funds for smooth cooperation, and people-to-people bond lay the social foundation for construction of the Belt and Road. Third, fruitful achievements have been made in the five aspects of the implementation of the BRI. In terms of policy coordination, the BRI has developed from a Chinese proposal to international consensus. So far, more than 150 countries and international organizations have signed agreements on Belt and Road cooperation with China. The UN has adopted resolutions calling on the international community to strengthen cooperation under the BRI. In terms of facilities connectivity, the BRI has forged a pattern of connectivity both in hardware and software. With focus on railways, roads, ports, air transport, postal services, energy, information infrastructure, and alignment of quality and technical systems, it has advanced connectivity and accelerated economic development of countries along the routes. In terms of unimpeded trade, the BRI has promoted international trade and investment facilitation and improved global economic governance. Relying on free trade zone (FTZ) networks, production capacity cooperation and industrial park construction, it promotes reform of the global trade system and accelerates global economic growth. In terms of financial integration, it innovates platforms and mechanisms for financial cooperation and injects new momentum into economic development of participating countries through measures such as establishing new cooperation platforms, promoting cooperation with multilateral banks and encouraging participation from development financial institutions. In terms of people-to-people bond, the BRI urges promotion of mutual learning and cultural exchange between participating countries with stronger friendship and people’s livelihood as the ultimate goals. Through supporting cultural communication and cooperation of diverse actors in multi-field, it enhances mutual understanding and cultural identification among peoples of BRI countries, enhancing public support for deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation. As the BRI continues advancing across solid steps, the dimension and form of the “five connectivity” have been enriched. As the priorities to implementation of the BRI, this approach will anchor the initiative as it connects China with the world through steady advancement.