Photo taken on October 24, 2020 shows an Orange Line metro train pilot test run in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore. The Orange Line Metro Train project is one of the CPEC early-harvest projects. Photo: Xinhua

In early December, China held the fourth symposium on Belt and Road construction work. It provides a window to summarize the development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) over the last 11 years that has helped transform the global landscape.  

By the end of 2024, the BRI cooperation has registered profuse breakthroughs that showered blistering benefits to the world. Among the BRI feats, transport connectivity like the China-Europe freight-train network has witnessed departure of the 100,000th trips from Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality in November 2024.  

The benefits of the China-Europe freight trains extend across the world, fostering growth in partner countries along its routes. Another landmark development of BRI this year is the Chancay Port in Peru, which welcomed its first cargo ship in November. Notably, BRI has also emphasized cooperation in the new-energy vehicle (NEVs) as a part of efforts to boost green economy. 

Throughout the year, global politics and economics have continued to exert significant pressure on the multilateral free trade system, sparking an undercurrent of "anti-globalization" in 2024. For example, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship BRI project, has faced several challenges and even terrorist threats this year.

But BRI global cooperation has been carrying out resolutely, and in the case of Pakistan, China's cooperation with Pakistan has remained steadfast and unwavering, not being deterred by any obstacles or challenges they may encounter. 

Under CPEC Phase-I, both sides have completed 38 projects worth $25.2 billion. About 26 projects worth $26.8 billion are in the pipeline and many of those have been included in CPEC Phase II, Pakistani media outlet The Express Tribune reported in September, citing government sources.

Looking forward, the BRI will continue the high-quality development course, and one of the features will focus on promoting technological and artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation. China will also continue to promote green development. The country will further deepen cooperation in areas such as green infrastructure, green energy and green transportation, and step up support for the BRI International Green Development Coalition, which was set up in 2023.

Last year, China announced that the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China will each set up a 350 billion yuan ($48.75 billion) financing window, and an additional 80 billion yuan will be injected into the Silk Road Fund. It is likely that the BRI 2025 will exert a super focus on "small yet smart" livelihood high-quality projects as well as grand mega-projects simultaneously. 

The green economy seems to be another high priority next year. According to one of the eight major steps announced by China last year in support of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China will also implement the Green Investment Principles for the Belt and Road, and provide 100,000 training opportunities for the partner countries by 2030.

Since BRI is flexing muscles to enter in 2025 soon, the implementation of the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan will take a lead as well. And BRI will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in fostering exchanges and dialogue with other countries, driving the global revolution in AI development.

The article was compiled based on an interview with Yasir Habib Khan, founder and director of Pakistan-based Institute of International Relations and Media Research