Source: China Daily    Published: 2023-05-23

Ten years into operation, the Belt and Road Initiative has facilitated inclusive development through cooperation projects around the world, analysts said at a recent symposium in Beijing.

First proposed in 2013, the initiative has gained a strong momentum.

By January 6, as many as 151 countries and 32 international organizations have signed more than 200 BRI cooperation documents with China, according to statistics provided by the official Belt and Road Portal website.

Ou Xiaoli, former head of the Department of Social Development of the National Development and Reform Commission, attributed the BRI's success to its principle of "extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits".

Following this principle, China has taken into account the needs and interests of other participating countries, and worked to seek common grounds and shared interests with them, Ou said at the symposium held on May 19 by Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at the Renmin University of China.

The shared aspiration for development and better lives is an ultimate common ground that enables many countries to overcome their differences in cultures and traditions and join the BRI cooperation, Ou said.

Li Xiangyang, director of the National Institute of International Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the initiative has shared growth opportunities with many developing countries, including the least developed ones, by improving their infrastructure facilities.

Adrian Nastase, former prime minister of Romania, which signed a memorandum of understanding on BRI cooperation with China in 2015, said the initiative is "the project of the century" that translates globalization into action.

The BRI's connection of infrastructures is essential for trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, Nastase said.

Nastase also voiced his hope there will be more BRI cooperation projects carried out in his country.

Vijay Prashad, executive director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, said the initiative is "a vision for the whole planet". The fact that such a vision was provided by a developing country is what makes the BRI important, he said.