BRI Delivers Real Progress Amid Western Empty Promises, Says Expert
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), marking its 10th anniversary this year, has been hailed as a significant driver of global infrastructure development and economic integration. According to Liu Yangsheng, a senior fellow at the Taihe Institute, the BRI stands out for its tangible progress and substantial contributions to participating countries, unlike Western alternatives which he describes as “empty promises”.
In an exclusive interview, Liu highlighted the reasons behind the BRI’s success. “China, a decade ago, had developed advanced capabilities in infrastructure building,” he explained. “Exporting this expertise not only benefitted neighboring countries but also facilitated trade, movement of people, goods, and ideas.”
Liu noted that over the past ten years, the BRI has enhanced integration between China and regions such as Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, South America, and North Africa. “This integration leads to higher efficiency and broader exchange of goods, services, and ideas,” he said. “The first phase of the BRI has substantially achieved its goal of building an elaborate infrastructure network.”
Addressing Western initiatives like the United States’ Build Back Better World (B3W), launched in 2021 as a counter to the BRI, Liu was skeptical of their effectiveness. “Hatching projects purely from geopolitical motives means they won’t get done,” he asserted. “When was the last time the U.S. built a new road or railway?”
Liu questioned the feasibility of such Western-led projects, citing a lack of capacity and genuine commitment. “The idea of alternatives is to rally more allies against China, but I don’t think that will happen,” he stated. “The BRI is based on the needs and requests of the local countries involved, not just China.”
He also expressed doubts about the recently proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor announced at the G20 Summit. “You can build a trade route, but to trade what?” Liu asked. “What does India produce that Europe demands? Who will build it, fund it, and actually move goods and services on it?”
Liu concluded that initiatives like the B3W are “empty promises” and “fake,” lacking the substance and execution seen in the BRI. “Under the circumstances, I think it’s an empty promise,” he said. “Just like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework was a piece of paper then, and it’s still only a piece of paper today.”
As the BRI continues into its second decade, Liu believes it will further solidify its role in fostering global connectivity and economic development, delivering real progress where others offer only rhetoric.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
