Development Blueprint and Future Direction for High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation

Grasping historic opportunities and defining new paths of development

At present, changes in the world of great significance are unfolding like never before. A major shift is taking place in the international balance of power, with emerging markets and developing countries collectively rising to account for 80% of world economic growth and over 40% of the global economy. According to World Bank estimates, by 2030, Belt and Road cooperation will generate annual returns of US$1.6 trillion for the world, and Belt and Road investment is expected to lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty in participating countries. High-quality Belt and Road development will not only open new windows of opportunity for developing countries but also help resolve imbalances in global development.

Following the trend of the times to create fresh momentum for growth

At present, a new generation of information technology and advanced manufacturing technology—represented by artificial intelligence (AI), new materials, and new energy—is being rapidly integrated into various industries, giving rise to new competitiveness in global development. Relevant studies show that the digital economies of the United States, China, Germany, Japan, and South Korea were worth a total of US$31 trillion in 2022. Under the Belt and Road framework, countries can fully tap their potential and strengths, increase their capacity for independent development, and jointly create more development opportunities, thereby promoting a healthy, green, digital, and innovative Silk Road and driving more inclusive growth in the world economy.

Responding to practical needs and bolstering cooperation as a signature practice

Guided by the principles of openness and inclusiveness, China has worked with other countries to promote comprehensive, multi-dimensional, and network-based connectivity, coordinating both the shared and differentiated interests of participating countries to seek more points of convergence for our respective interests and make the pie of cooperation bigger. According to research by the World Bank, by 2030, Belt and Road cooperation will increase the trade of participating countries by 2.8%–9.7% and global trade by 1.7%–6.2%. Collective participation and cooperation under the BRI promises to create shared benefits for all countries concerned.

Toward a shared future with a new and inspiring vision

The BRI offers a vivid example of how to build a global community of shared future. Acting on the Global Development Initiative, China has focused on development as humanity’s greatest common interest and is committed to narrowing the development gap and promoting shared development and prosperity. Implementing the Global Security Initiative, we have fostered a new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, creating a security architecture featuring joint contributions and shared benefits. Carrying out the Global Civilizations Initiative, we have advocated the shared values of humanity and worked to see different civilizations fostering harmony in diversity, seeking common ground while setting differences aside, and engaging in mutual learning, so as to jointly paint an inspiring shared future for our human community.