What should China focus on to facilitate implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative?

The Belt and Road Initiative is an innovation with no precedent. We are feeling our way forward amidst difficulties, risks and challenges. The landscape of the world is changing rapidly, especially in our surrounding region. Latent security risks abound. We should communicate with countries along the Belt and Road routes to align development strategies. In essence, all projects under the initiative should be mutually beneficial. As for the possible conflicts and disputes occurring during cooperation, we should address them through negotiation.

China should learn how to deal with potential challenges and safeguard its investment and personnel abroad. Chinese companies, although equipped with money, technology, standards and capabilities to provide services, may still lack knowledge about local laws, regulations and markets. They might encounter setbacks and losses if they just blindly copy their practice at home.

While collaborating with the surrounding developing countries, China follows a policy of upholding justice and pursuing shared interests. When thinking about our own interests, we should also take into account the interests and feelings of our partners. No matter how good our intentions are, we shall never impose them on others.