Belt, Road not a ‘one-man show’

China does not want to “put on a one-man show” with the Belt and Road Initiative, and it is not true that the initiative is “controlled” by China, Beijing said on Friday.

“If the Belt and Road really is controlled by China, and if everyone really has no way to share the benefits, I think they wouldn’t be rushing in to participate,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, pointing out that delegates from 110 countries will be coming to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The forum will be held in Beijing on May 14 and 15.

Geng made the remarks in response to a question at a daily news conference regarding opinions among some that the initiative, instead of being “win-win”, was China’s solo play. “These are misunderstandings made totally out of stereotypical thinking,” he said.

The Belt and Road Initiative, though proposed by China, is a project that needs to be built by all participants, the spokesman told the news conference.

He said China sticks to “extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits”.

China is currently consulting with countries that will attend the forum about an outcome document, the spokesman said, adding that the document will be a result of “extensive consultation” that will draw on the wisdom and consensus of all participants.

Geng said China will work with all sides to make the forum a successful one that will further build consensus and lay out plans for implementing the initiative.