APD | BRI is a ray of hope for developing nations

Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. (E-mail: [email protected]).

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the biggest initiative for international developments, ever launched in the history of humankind. It has no comparison with the Marshal program, launched by America at the end of World war II (WWII) in 1945. The most recent announced program in the G-7 summit is a fake one and merely politics to gang-up against China. Neither, the G-7 is sincere, not have the capacity. Most G-7 members are struggling for their own survival, and lack technical and financial resources. On the other hand, China has resources as well as a strong will. As a matter of fact, China is one of the oldest civilizations and has passed many ups and downs in history. History has taught bitter lesion to the Chinese, but, the traditional wisdom of Chinese, has made China more mature, more resilient, braver, and more strong.

Today, China has emerged as the second-largest economy )may be number one in some aspects, but not declared). China has also gained status in geopolitics and global power. China is already playing an instrumental role in the global economy and contributes almost one-third, much more than its due share. China is equally active in international developments and assisting many friendly countries, especially among developing and underdeveloped nations. China is a significant contributor to international developments and many nations are looking at China, as a ray of hope. China is the guarantor of international peace and stability. It is well recognized, that China is a country that has been preventing many wars, conflicts, and disasters to humankind. The typical examples are North Korea, which the US wanted to teach a bitter lesson for since long, but China and Russia are the deterrence. Similarly, in the case of Iran, where, the US is extremely annoyed and wanted to attack Iran, but, China-Russia factor, preventing him. In the case of Syria, and many other parts of the world, where the US and its allies are planning to attack, but, China is the deterrence. One can see the Chinese contribution to global peace and stability.

Being a global power, China understands its global responsibilities and is playing its due part effectively.

China is willing to work with all parties to build a closer “Belt and Road” partnership, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday in a written address to the Asia and Pacific High-level Conference on Belt and Road Cooperation.

Xi said the purpose of proposing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is to inherit the Silk Road spirit, jointly build an open cooperation platform and provide new impetus for the cooperation and development of all countries.

According to Xi, China has signed cooperation agreements with a total of 140 countries under the BRI in eight years. Hailing the pragmatic progress achieved, President Xi said all parties have actively enhanced connectivity in policy, infrastructure, trade, finance, and people-to-people ties.

He said a partnership for all-dimensional and composite connectivity has been set up, which opened up new prospects for common development.

“Facing the COVID-19 outbreak that caught us all by surprise, we have been supporting and assisting each other in the most difficult times and pushed forward the construction of the BRI, conveying confidence and strength to the international community and making an important contribution to global cooperation against the pandemic and economic recovery,” Xi said.

The Chinese president reiterated that the joint pursuit of the BRI should follow the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, pursue open, green, and clean cooperation, as well as pursuing high-standard cooperation to improve people’s lives and promote sustainable development.

As China enters a new development stage, follows a new development philosophy, and fosters a new development paradigm, Xi believes it will provide more market opportunities, investment opportunities, and growth opportunities for its BRI partners.

Voicing China’s willingness to build a closer BRI partnership, Xi called for adhering to the road of solidarity and cooperation, connectivity and common development, and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Those who are cooperating with China and joining BRI will be beneficiaries. Those who are opposing BRI will be left behind and only repent with the passage of time. BRI is an opportunity, which China has opened for the whole world, but only, sensible nations will be beneficial.

Pakistan being the closest friend, neighbor, is always pro-BRI. Since its launch in 2013, Pakistan is among very few countries that have supported it and joined it. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project under BRI and one of the most advanced stage projects among six planned corridors. The people of Pakistan are direct beneficiaries of CPEC and grateful to BRI, China, and President Xi and his Government for their sincerity, generosity, and cordial friendship.

Long lives the China-Pakistan Traditional Friendship.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)