BRI advances world well-being
Ten years on, the China-led program seeks to contribute further to global development
This year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s two landmark contributions to the advancement of global good, namely, the Belt and Road Initiative and the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity. These two concepts promoting peace and prosperity signify China’s return as a world power.
In 1978, former leader Deng Xiaoping made one of the most consequential decisions in the history of modern China: open up the country and re-engage with the outside world. In the decades that followed, China was integrated into the global economy, and in the process rebuilt itself into an economic powerhouse.
In 2013, President Xi launched the Belt and Road Initiative and presented the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity as China’s perspective of an alternative world order.
The initiative and vision marked China’s aspiration to play a greater role in shaping the world. After successfully rebuilding itself, China is now prepared to contribute to the development of the wider world. This reflects President Xi’s style of leadership, one that exudes confidence and determination, not only to better China, but the global community at large.
The BRI is widely recognized as a historic infrastructure initiative, on a scale never attempted by any other world power. There are various reasons and forces, internal and external that prompted China to embark on such an ambitious undertaking.
As a major economic power, China considers infrastructure as one way to forge closer connectivity, in order to facilitate commerce and investment, with its trading partners across the globe.
The eradication of extreme poverty in the country is one of China’s key achievements, and a model for the world. Through the BRI, China can help countries to develop and to industrialize, and to generate opportunities for those lacking socioeconomic mobility.
This brings us to the vision that underpins the initiative: the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity. The vision shapes China’s conception of a new international order based on mutually beneficial relationships. It extols the universal values of integrity and equity, and seeks to enhance security and promote economic growth through dialogue and cooperation.
China’s aim is to realize inclusive and sustainable development that advances the common good. This may be seen as the internationalization of the Chinese Dream, whereby, through projects such as the BRI, the well-being and aspirations of humankind can be enhanced and achieved.
In January, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim introduced a new slogan for the country: Madani. The Malaylanguage slogan — meaning “civil” — conceptualizes six core principles to guide Malaysia’s future developments: sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion.
In many ways, Malaysia’s Madani principles resonate with China’s community with a shared future for humanity. Both seek to actualize holistic, sustainable development that will benefit all, regardless of race, class and creed.
On that account, both countries can work together to realize our respective aspirations of Madani and a community with a shared future for humanity. With President Xi’s emphasis on people-oriented development, and with projects such as the East Coast Rail Link, China’s investment can help realize more equitable and balanced development in Malaysia. Such strategic cooperation will undoubtedly generate mutually beneficial outcomes for China and Malaysia.
As it enters its second decade, challenges and opportunities await the BRI. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many projects to stall and fresh commitment is needed to regain lost momentum.
There are of course exciting possibilities, with a shift toward high quality development, the BRI is likely to increasingly move beyond bricks and mortar into the digital and virtual realms and to branch out into different streams — such as the Health Silk Road, Green Belt and Road Initiative, and Digital Belt and Road Initiative, among others.
As the world undergoes major changes and faces unprecedented challenges, the BRI and the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity can provide a pathway toward more dynamic growth and advancement. It is my hope that through such efforts the 21st century will continue to make progress toward achieving greater stability and common prosperity.