A decade of progress: The BRI's global transformation

This White Paper provides a comprehensive retrospective of the BRI's journey, tracing its evolution from a Chinese proposal to a global initiative with tangible accomplishments. Essentially, it serves as both a decade's report card and a visionary roadmap for the future of Belt and Road collaboration.

From its ambitious inception to its execution, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has surpassed its early projections in remarkable ways over the past decade.

In terms of geographic reach, the BRI has garnered participation from more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations, accounting for almost 75 % of the world's population.

Across the spectrum of its engagement, the BRI extends its influence into a diverse array of domains, spanning economics, culture, and ecology. Whether we're talking about the hard connectivity of land-based roads and sea routes, the soft connectivity entailing collaborative efforts to enhance rules and standards, or the people-to-people connectivity in various arenas like education, culture, sports, tourism, and archaeology, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has woven a sprawling network of cooperation and shared gains across the world.

The White Paper is replete with data and illustrations showcasing the tangible advantages and returns that the BRI has delivered to the countries involved.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) marked a defining moment in China's global involvement, signifying its ascent to a prominent position on the world platform.

Throughout the past decade, it has ushered in a transformative era, leaving an indelible imprint on the global terrain and underscoring its far-reaching influence across the world.

Numerous flagship projects, such as the Mombasa-Nairobi railway, the China-Laos railway, and the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, are completed and operational.

These milestones are poised to give a significant boost to emerging economies. According to World Bank estimates, by the year 2030, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is expected to generate a staggering $1.6 trillion in annual global revenue, equivalent to 1.3 % of the global GDP. As this network of transport corridors and economic hubs continues to expand, there is immense potential for enhancing trade, spurring investment, and improving the quality of life for countless citizens across participating nations.

Since the initiation of the BRI, the aspiration of forging a community with a shared future has evolved from mere conceptualization to concrete action and from visionary idealism to tangible achievement.

An increasing number of nations have come to appreciate China's assertion that development is not the exclusive privilege of a select few Western countries, but rather an inherent right accessible to all nations.

Imran Khalid

Dr Imran Khalid is a freelance contributor based in Karachi, Pakistan. He qualified as a physician from Dow Medical University in Karachi in 1991, and has a master's degree in international relations from Karachi University.

The BRI has orchestrated a profound transformation on the world stage for five compelling reasons. Firstly, it has elevated the discourse on development to a pivotal global concern. Secondly, it has fostered an unprecedented bond between China and developing nations. Thirdly, it has paved the path toward a fresh global realignment and, by extension, a novel paradigm of global politics. Fourthly, it has disseminated the fundamental tenets of Chinese philosophy on a global scale. Lastly, it has given rise to a novel breed of international institution, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a world order where the welfare of the majority takes precedence over the interests of the few—a truly remarkable reimagining of global dynamics.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) should be recognized as a dynamic force, continually adapting in harmony with the ever-evolving global landscape.  At its outset, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was primarily centred on colossal infrastructure projects.

However, it has evolved in tandem with the changing times, embracing the rise of small and medium-sized enterprises, environmental sustainability, climate consciousness, digital innovation, and green initiatives. Although the initial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily slowed its progress, the BRI has since bounced back with renewed vigour as the world slowly returns to a semblance of normalcy.

This resilience serves as a testament to the BRI's remarkable adaptability in the face of ever-shifting global conditions. Indeed, the BRI stands as a sturdy and agile force, mirroring the ever-changing contours of the world it engages with.

A curious phenomenon emerges when we examine the spectrum of countries engaged in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Developing nations consistently exhibit a favourable stance toward BRI collaboration, whereas the sentiment among developed countries is not uniformly enthusiastic. It is essential to acknowledge that developing countries often bear more significant development burdens.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that the BRI's inclusive ethos extends to all nations, with a desire for the participation of as many countries as possible, including those that are more developed. Ever since 2013 when China launched its magnanimous BRI, Western capitals have been viewing this monumental developmental project with scepticism; their response is tainted by an unwarranted wave of negativity and misinformation.

It is quite evident that certain think tanks and media in the West, particularly within the United States, harbour certain political biases when it comes to their assessments of the BRI. It is common to find these studies riddled with allegations of so-called debt traps, complaints of a lack of transparency and concerns about the environmental impact. It seems as though there is a concerted effort to cast a shadow over this monumental endeavour.

The BRI is not merely a vehicle for China's economic growth but a pathway to shared prosperity. It aims to bridge regional divides, boost trade, and foster sustainable development across Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa. Yet, Western powers, driven by misplaced apprehensions, have been persistently fueling a campaign of disinformation against the initiative. These myopic narratives against the BRI often disregard its transformative potential, neglecting the countless opportunities for cooperation and progress it offers to the world.

Over the span of a decade, from 2013 to 2022, China's trade with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) participant nations has surged to a staggering $19.1 trillion, marked by an annual growth rate averaging 6.4 %. Impressively, the cumulative two-way investment between China and its partner countries has reached $380 billion, with China contributing $240 billion, as revealed in the white paper. These numbers illuminate the transformative impact of the BRI, both as a catalyst for trade and as a source of significant investment in the participating nations, underscoring its pivotal role in shaping global economic dynamics.

The future of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation is rich with possibilities. As highlighted in the white paper, the BRI is a profound, long-term, and systematic global endeavour of the 21st century, and it has embarked on an enduring journey. The original framework of BRI, while primarily focusing on partnerships with developing nations, has become the bedrock upon which the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative have flourished.

These progressive offshoots represent an intentional expansion of the initial vision, offering a wide array of dynamic approaches to fortify global development and the accomplishments of the BRI. As traditional infrastructure projects persist, the rising prominence of digital connectivity is set to drive substantial demand for digital infrastructure across the region. This digital frontier is poised to assume a central role in the next phase of BRI implementation.

Concurrently, the green and blue economies are poised to emerge as twin drivers. These multifaceted developments paint a promising picture for growth, collaboration and shared prosperity. The true essence of the BRI lies in its lasting legacy, especially as it reaches its full completion. The fulfilment of this ambitious venture brings forth a rich exchange of knowledge, the propagation of ideas and the nurturing of innovative concepts. It is a journey of vast proportions, extending far beyond a mere decade, embodying a commitment to the long term.