In just over a decade, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has blossomed into one of the world’s most expansive international cooperation platforms, breathing new life into ancient trade routes and fostering global economic collaboration.
A prime example of this success is the China-Laos Railway, a flagship BRI project.Since its launch three years ago,it has dramatically reduced freight times and logistics costs between the two nations,considerably boosting bilateral trade.
This year alone, trade between China and Laos surged by 26.6 percent, reaching an impressive $7.1 billion. Over 10.6 million metric tons of goods,valued at over 44 billion yuan ($6.06 billion), have been transported via the railway as of November, according to Customs data.
At the railway’s terminus in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, the freight transit yard of China-Laos Railway’s Vientiane south Station bustles with activity. Nearby,the Saysettha Comprehensive Growth Zone,another BRI project,has attracted enterprises from Thailand,Singapore,Japan,and beyond.
Projects like the China-Laos Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, and Piraeus port in Greece stand as testaments to the BRI’s connectivity framework.
“BRI projects have improved infrastructure development and connectivity, created tens of thousands of jobs,” saeid Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy at the Royal University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. “Through its focus on strategic alignment and complementary strengths, the BRI promotes a shared vision of peaceful development, win-win cooperation and mutual prosperity,” Mengdavid noted.
The recent departure of the 100,000th China-Europe freight train,coded X8083,from Chongqing in Southwest China for Duisburg,Germany,on November 15th,highlights the BRI’s impact on Eurasian trade. these modern “steel camels” have transported over 11 million containers of goods worth over $420 billion.
Chongqing Tuanjiecun Central Station, once a modest railway hub, has transformed into an international logistics center, while duisburg has attracted numerous logistics and warehousing enterprises, revitalizing itself into a major hub.
The China-Europe freight train network now spans 25 European countries and 227 cities, along with over 100 cities across 11 Asian countries, demonstrating the BRI’s high-quality progress.
From railways to ports, new achievements illuminate the path to shared development. In the first 10 months of the year, China’s trade with BRI participating economies climbed 6.2 percent compared with a year earlier.
China has signed BRI cooperation documents with over 150 countries and over 30 international organizations, bolstering its global leadership in mutual recognition agreements for authorized economic operators.
“Only by aligning policies of different countries and integrating economic elements and development resources on a larger scale can we form synergy and promote world peace, tranquility and common development,” said Li Yongquan, a professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, citing the unstable foundation of global economic growth, sluggish trade and investment, setbacks encountered by economic globalization and intensified development imbalances.
The ministry of Commerce reported that by the end of 2023, Chinese companies had established 17,000 overseas enterprises in economies participating in the BRI, with direct investment stock exceeding $330 billion. meanwhile, overseas economic and trade cooperation zones built under the initiative had created 530,000 local jobs.
Beyond economic benefits, the BRI also promotes people-to-people exchanges. the Luban Workshop,a project named after an ancient Chinese master craftsman,which provides vocational skills training for local people,has been established in 30 countries,training thousands of skilled professionals.
Since the first Luban Workshop was launched in Thailand in 2016, more than 30 have been set up across Asia.
China’s Belt and Road initiative (BRI) has made importent strides in fostering global connectivity and economic growth, according to Li Wei, a prominent scholar at the Chinese Academy of social Sciences. Speaking at a recent forum, Li highlighted the BRI’s impact on education, vocational training, and international cooperation.
“The BRI has established 31 Confucius Institutes and 52 Confucius Classrooms in Europe and Africa, providing education to nearly 10,000 students and vocational training to over 31,000 participants,” Li stated.
Li emphasized that the BRI is not merely a concept but a tangible force driving progress in the 21st century. “It has not only brought new ideas to opening-up and international cooperation in the new era, but also achieved new practical results,” he explained.
“It has opened up new space for world economic growth,built a new platform for international trade and investment,expanded new practices for improving global economic governance,and made new contributions to improving people’s well-being in all countries,” Li added.
Li’s remarks underscore the BRI’s growing influence on the global stage, positioning it as a key driver of interconnectedness and shared prosperity.
## Riding the Silk Road Express: A Decade of BRI Achievements
**World-Today News Exclusive Interview with Dr. Saeid Thong Mengdavid**
**[World-Today News]** – The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, has rapidly transformed from vision to reality. It has breathed new life into ancient trade routes,fostering unprecedented global economic collaboration.Today, we are joined by Dr.Saeid Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy at the Royal University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, to discuss the BRI’s remarkable decade-long journey.
**[World-Today News]** – Dr. Mengdavid, the China-Laos Railway, a flagship BRI project, has demonstrably revitalized trade between the two nations. Can you elaborate on its impact?
**[Dr. Mengdavid]**- The China-Laos Railway is a prime example of the BRI’s transformative potential. As its launch in 2021, it has dramatically reduced freight times and logistics costs, boosting bilateral trade by an remarkable 26.6% this year alone.
**[World-Today News]**- We’ve seen images of bustling freight yards and thriving businesses blossoming around the railway in Laos.
**[Dr. Mengdavid]** – Precisely! This ripple effect is crucial. Look at the saysettha Comprehensive Growth Zone near Vientiane. It’s attracting businesses from Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and beyond. The BRI is about more than just bricks and mortar; it’s about unlocking economic potential and fostering regional integration.
**[World-Today News]**- The BRI’s impact extends far beyond Southeast Asia. We’ve seen the success of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the revitalization of Piraeus port in Greece. What are your thoughts on these diverse projects?
**[dr. Mengdavid]** – These projects showcase the BRI’s adaptability and inclusivity.They demonstrate how the initiative tailors solutions to specific regional needs, whether it’s modernizing transport infrastructure, enhancing maritime connectivity, or bolstering port logistics.
**[World-Today News]** – The recent departure of the 100,000th China-Europe freight train underlines the BRI’s impact on Eurasian trade. How has this railway network transformed the economic landscape?
**[Dr. Mengdavid]** – The china-Europe freight train network is a marvel of modern logistics. It has connected over 25 European countries and 100 Asian cities, significantly reducing transportation times and costs. This has fostered new trade routes and opened up exciting opportunities for businesses across continents.
**[world-today News]** – The BRI is not without its critics. Some raise concerns about debt sustainability and potential environmental impacts. How would you respond to these concerns?
**[Dr. Mengdavid]** – Open dialog and transparency are vital to addressing these concerns. The BRI emphasizes sustainable advancement, and green initiatives are becoming increasingly integral to project planning and implementation. Regarding debt sustainability, it’s important to remember that the BRI aims to promote mutually beneficial partnerships based on shared interests and responsible investment.
**[World-Today News]** - Looking ahead, what are your predictions for the future of the BRI?
**[Dr.Mengdavid]** – I believe the BRI is entering an even more vibrant phase. The focus will increasingly be on high-quality development, emphasizing innovation, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity. As more countries join the initiative, we can expect to see a more interconnected and prosperous world. The BRI is not just about building infrastructure; it’s about building bridges of cooperation and shared prosperity for generations to come.
**[World-Today News]**- Thank you,Dr. Mengdavid, for sharing your insights.
