After a decade of constructing roads, railways, ports, and digital networks, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is entering a new phase. According to Charles Liu, founder of Impact Asia Innovation Capital, the BRI is evolving from its initial focus on infrastructure to a broader agenda aimed at enhancing regional integration and fostering industrialization in developing countries.
“The first ten years of the BRI were about laying the groundwork—literally,” Liu explains. “We built the physical and digital infrastructure that connected nations. Now, we’re leveraging that foundation to empower economies and promote sustainable development.”
This shift represents what Liu refers to as the transition from BRI 1.0 to BRI 2.0. The new focus is on deepening economic ties, facilitating trade, and sharing technological advancements with partner countries. By promoting industrial growth, the BRI aims to help developing nations move up the value chain and achieve long-term economic stability.
“Regional integration is key,” Liu emphasizes. “By strengthening economic partnerships and supporting industrialization efforts, we’re not just building bridges and roads—we’re building futures.”
The evolution of the BRI underscores China’s commitment to collaborative growth and shared prosperity. As the initiative moves beyond infrastructure, it opens new opportunities for investors, businesses, and nations eager to participate in this next chapter of global development.
Reference(s):
Beyond infrastructure — an investor's perspective on the BRI
cgtn.com
