Common commitment

With the adoption of a joint communiqué at the leaders roundtable, the forum unveiled a clear way for future cooperation. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi told China Central Television that the forum has clarified an assortment of projects to be implemented within the framework of the initiative. Moreover, China signed cooperation agreements with 14 international organizations on assistance programs.

China announced it will provide assistance worth 60 billion yuan ($8.7 billion) in the coming three years to developing countries and international organizations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to improve people’s well-being. In addition, there will be emergency food assistance worth 2 billion yuan ($290 million) to developing countries and an additional $1 billion to the Assistance Fund for Southsouth Cooperation.

Larouche envisions the Belt and Road Initiative as becoming a “true world land bridge.” “It will not only bring economic prosperity to all participating countries, but also serve as a true basis for a peace order for the 21st century,” she forecast.