China’s 10-year Belt and Road Initiative plan focuses on digital economy, information superhighways
- ‘Soft connectivity’ among aims listed in document outlining ‘visions and actions for ‘high quality belt and road cooperation’
- Focus will be on projects involving ‘small investment, quick results and good economic and social benefits’, plan released on Friday says
Priorities for the next 10 years would also include improving “soft connectivity” and reducing “hidden barriers” in goods and people-to-people exchanges, a document on the “visions and actions for high quality belt and road cooperation” released on Friday said.
“A number of landmark projects will be created that are highly praised by the countries where they are being built,” the plan read.
Officially announced by Xi in 2013, the now trillion-dollar belt and road strategy represents one of the world’s most ambitious infrastructure and investment programmes.
Originally devised to link China with Europe and the rest of Asia, the programme has gained steam in Africa, South America and the Pacific, as Chinese companies build roads, railways, ports and energy projects. This has significantly expanded China’s economic and political influence, especially in poorer countries desperate for better infrastructure to improve their economies.