The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is in a healthy stage of financial cooperation development, with good potential for improvement and expansion, officials said during the three-day Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2024, which was held in Beijing from Friday to Sunday.

The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR), the first HSR in Indonesia and Southeast Asia and a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), celebrated its first year of operation on Thursday, having carried 5.79 million passengers, according to the China State Railway Group Co.

Zhang Yonghe, vice president of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (IAMC), can easily recall the inauguration of the China-Portugal STARLab in 2021. The STARLab is a joint laboratory established under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aiming to integrate China's leading space technology with Portugal's strengths in marine research to foster interdisciplinary cooperation.

Simplified trade rules and "green lanes" will enable more high-value African goods to enter Chinese market, African experts said. The comments came during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) being held in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday.

Chinese scientists have successfully developed ultra-high pure graphite, reflecting that the China's graphite products now reach the world's leading standards, Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), to be held in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday, will help accelerate economic development in Africa, especially infrastructure projects and the new-energy sector cooperation, an Egyptian scholar told the Global Times in a recent interview.

China-Africa cooperation is an example of the transformative model of regional and global cooperation based on mutual respect and common interests, said Nicholas Dweh Nimley, managing editor of South Liberia Post Online Newspaper.

China will expand institutional opening-up to Africa and deepen cooperation in industrial and supply chains, so as to further advance China-Africa economic cooperation and development linkages for shared benefits, a Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) official said on Tuesday at a press conference for the upcoming 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

A 19-year-old Russian young artist, Mikhail Kalyuta, raised his paintbrush after carefully studying a Chinese model in a red dress in Changsha, the capital of Central China's Hunan Province. He sketched the outlines, mixed colors, and applied them to the canvas. The piece was finished within a couple of days, and has been donated to the Li Zijian Art Museum, also based in Changsha, as part of its permanent collection.

"The Belt and Road Teenagers Makers Camp and Teacher Workshop provides young science and technology enthusiasts with an invaluable opportunity to learn, share, improve, and promote," Hatem Slimame, president of the Tunisian Association for the Future of Sciences and Technology (ATST), told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become a platform that goes beyond enhancing global inter-connectivity with mutually beneficial infrastructure mega projects to become a mechanism that promotes people-to-people exchanges, especially for younger generations, participants said on Monday, ahead of the Eighth Belt and Road Teenagers Makers Camp and Teacher Workshop in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Amid the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, the Global Times reporters Li Xuanmin and Xing Xiaojing (GT)interviewed Aliya Mussabekova (Mussabekova), chief expert at the Asian Studies Department at Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Maryam Agharabi (Agharabi), research coordinator at China & Central Asia Studies Center (CCASC) in Kazakhstan.

Amid the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, the Global Times reporters Li Xuanmin and Xing Xiaojing (GT) interviewed Aliya Mussabekova (Mussabekova), chief expert at the Asian Studies Department at Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Maryam Agharabi (Agharabi), research coordinator at China & Central Asia Studies Center (CCASC) in Kazakhstan.

The 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will take place in Astana, Kazakhstan in early July. Ahead of the SCO summit, Global Times reporters Li Xuanmin and Xing Xiaojing (GT) conducted an exclusive interview with Gulnar Shaimergenova (Shaimergenova), director of the China Studies Center in Kazakhstan, who during the interview highlighted the extensive role China plays in facilitating regional cooperation and economic integration. Shaimergenova was present when the concept of BRI was first put forward in Kazakhstan in 2013. During the interview, Shaimergenova shared her insights on how the initiative has opened up new opportunities of economic interaction and partnership, rising trade and prosperity in the region.

As the Chinese economy faced some challenges in recent years, some Western officials and media pundits have stepped up their smear campaign against China. They cherry-pick information and distort facts to hype their narratives such as "Peak China," but they always turn a blind eye to China's economic resilience and development potential. In order to set the record straight, the Global Times is launching a multimedia project, including in-depth articles, objective analysis and visual arts, to present a comprehensive and true picture of Chinese economy. This is the seventh installation of the series.

The trade volume between China and Indonesia has risen strongly and now exceeds $100 billion a year. China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years and has ranked among Indonesia's top three sources of foreign investment for eight consecutive years. Additionally, the prospects for cooperation between the two countries in emerging industries, including new-energy vehicles, are promising. In terms of cultural exchanges, Indonesia has become one of the preferred destinations for an increasing number of Chinese tourists. During the three-day Summer Davos forum held in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, Global Times (GT) reporter Yin Yeping interviewed Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (Uno), minister of tourism and creative economy of Indonesia, who shared insights into how China and Indonesia can strengthen their ties. He also expressed his stance on growing protectionism, advocating for cooperation and free trade.

A skills competition for talent from countries and regions participating in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) kicked off on Monday. Analysts and participants pointed out that the competition is more than a platform for skills exchanges – it's also a venue for deep cooperation of BRI partners in talent training.

China and Rwanda have cultivated a robust relationship marked by mutual respect and cooperation. Guided by the heads of state of both countries, bilateral ties have flourished. Rwanda, a proactive participant in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has benefited from enhanced infrastructure and trade connections with China. In an interview with Global Times reporter Ma Jingjing and Zhang Yiyi (GT), Rwandan Ambassador to China James Kimonyo (Kimonyo) discussed expanding economic and trade cooperation between China and Rwanda, highlighting new opportunities for bilateral collaboration.

The first high-speed sleeper train from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) arrived at Beijing West Station on Sunday morning, where local railway officials displayed banners to welcome the first batch of passengers on board, domestic media outlets reported.

The 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the People's Republic of China is an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved while confidently looking forward to the future accomplishments our partnership promises to bring.

China and Brazil have built a close relationship in the past five decades that is "complementary and integrated" in multiple economic fronts, Dilma Rousseff, the chair of the New Development Bank and former president of Brazil, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.

Recently, during Kenyan President William Ruto's visit to Washington, US President Joe Biden pledged to designate Kenya as the country's first “major non-NATO ally” in sub-Saharan Africa. The move underscores America's "new understanding" of Africa and the strategic implications of intensifying competition for influence by using regional powers.

A local official in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region said on Thursday that the total foreign trade volume of the region reached 10 billion yuan ($138.08 million) in 2023, marking a historic breakthrough.

There is huge opportunity for cooperation with China in the new-energy sector in Latin America, and the region is open for corresponding Chinese technology and products, Héctor Villagrán-Cepeda, former minister of transport and public works of Ecuador, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Sunday.

A track-laying machine made a rumbling sound as concrete sleepers are placed on the roadbed. Two-hundred-meter-long rails extend and fall steadily onto the sleepers through a mix of manual labor and high-tech machinery.

Azerbaijan is fully ready to develop economic and trade relations with China without setting any ceiling or limit in terms of scope, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to China Bunyad Huseynov said in an exclusive interview with the Global Times, giving examples of the potential for deeper cooperation in the new-energy industry, where the two countries are highly complementary.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently concluded his successful visit to three Asia-Pacific countries, displaying China's willingness to strengthen cooperation with the region. As good friends and economic partners based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, China's relations with regional countries are evolving and constantly reaching new heights.

Azerbaijan hopes to attract more Chinese investors as the country is pursuing sustainable development and green transformation, as well as greater transport connectivity and other economic goals under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), officials from Azerbaijan said at the Azerbaijan Investment and Trade Promotion Conference held at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Beijing on Tuesday.

At the ongoing two sessions, the annual meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, the top political advisory body, hot topics have been proposed and discussed that relate to both China and the world. One particular highlight is the discussions over the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has just marked its decade of anniversary last year and is now embarking on the next decade of a new journey for high-quality development.

A China-Europe freight train, loaded with new-energy vehicles manufactured in China, sounded its horn as it slowly departed from Xi'an International Port Station in Shaanxi Province, Northwest China, bound for Europe.

A special campaign to promote China's booming ice and snow tourism resources has recently been launched in Dubai, the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Among all the good wishes for stronger cooperation between China and Uzbekistan, the early construction and launch of the railway project linking China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan would be a significant achievement for Liu Yu. As the executive chairman of the Uzbek Chamber of Commerce for Chinese Entrepreneurs and an early business pioneer in the Central Asian country, Liu's expectations for closer connectivity between neighboring countries in the region are indescribable.

China has been a dependable partner in the development of the Maldives, and there are various areas in which both sides can strengthen bilateral cooperation under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), ranging from the blue economy and digital economy to green technology, as well as infrastructure, the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MNCCI) told the Global Times.

With the rapid approach of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will kick off in Cote d'Ivoire on January 13, global sports fans are waiting with bated breath. Global attention has also been focused on the six state-of-the-art host stadiums in recent days, some of which were designed and constructed by Chinese enterprises.

China and Nicaragua announced an upgrade in the bilateral relationship to strategic partnership in December 2023, after the two countries resumed diplomatic relations in 2021. On the first day of 2024, the China-Nicaragua Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into effect. Embarking on a new starting point, China and Nicaragua are expected to further deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen friendship between their peoples. Global Times reporter Liu Yang (GT) recently conducted an exclusive interview with Michael Campbell (Campbell), Nicaraguan Ambassador to China, in which Campbell shared three pillars of bilateral cooperation during the past two years and the bright prospects for economic and trade ties under the FTA. He also noted that China-Nicaragua economic ties will grow and create tangible benefits for the entire Central American region.

The year of 2024 marks the beginning of the second decade of the development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global cooperation platform China proposed in 2013 to support and add vitality to economic globalization and help resolve global development challenges and improve global governance system. How will the "the global project of the century" navigate in the next 10 years? And how should it adapt to cope with the ever-changing global geopolitical landscape? The Global Times (GT) invited a number of Chinese and foreign scholars to share their perspectives.

Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is a landmark project of cooperation under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) , and it is hoped that practical cooperation between China and Malaysia will continue to deepen, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

In a bid to deepen international cooperation in the industrial chain and supply chain, China is hosting the first China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) from Tuesday to Saturday in Beijing. This is the world's first national-level exhibition themed on supply chains, which focuses on promoting global industrial chain and supply chain cooperation.

The “Silk Road” e-commerce, an international cooperation platform for trade and economic cooperation under the important Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has formed a structure for growing digital partnership, while helped promote mutual growth and cooperation among all participating economies.

On the shore of a port in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province, rows of containers are neatly stacked, ready to be transported from this important starting point and birthplace of the ancient Maritime Silk Road to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and elsewhere.

The China proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has brought the vision of “heart connectivity” to reality, and it is a path to common development, multiple ambassadors and officials from BRI partner countries said on Wednesday during a roundtable held in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province.

Chinese companies' participation in Chile's infrastructure has made a significant contribution to the country's economic development and has helped increase Chile's competitiveness in the region, Nicolas Grau, the Minister of Economy of Chile, stated in an exclusive face-to-face interview with the Global Times.

The relations between China and Fiji are "solid and inclusive," and the two countries are "relating to each other as families," Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame R. Gavoka told the Global Times in a recent exclusive interview. He also expected the two countries to "build on" the fruitful cooperation results under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), especially in green development and tourism.

Facing numerous false, one-sided reports about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) from the Western media, officials and journalists from home and abroad proposed on Thursday that more on-site investigations are needed to explore the truth, so as to facilitate the high-quality development of the BRI.

China has seen a rise in patent applications from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the past ten years amid closer economic and trade exchanges, official data showed on Tuesday.

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been instrumental in promoting connectivity between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, helping their economies to diversify, and fostering bilateral ties, business representatives from the bloc said on Tuesday. They also expressed high hopes that the cooperation will become “deeper” and “greener” as the high-quality BRI cooperation enters a new stage of development following its 10th anniversary.

China and the Philippines are BRI partners. Trade and economic collaboration is central to growing the bilateral ties. In 2022, two-way trade reached $87.7 billion, rising by 7.1 percent. China has remained the Philippines' top trading partner for seven consecutive years. In the face of new circumstances and challenges, economic cooperation is expected to play a pivotal role to accelerate bilateral relationship. In an exclusive interview with Maynard S. Ngu (Ngu), Special Envoy of the President of the Philippines to China for Trade, Investment and Tourism, Ngu discussed with the Global Times (GT) reporter Yin Yeping the positive outcomes of their joint construction of the BRI.

On a summer afternoon this year, bridge cranes were in constant movement, loading and unloading massive cargo ships at the container terminal of the Port of Piraeus, about 10 kilometers southwest of Athens. A seemingly endless stream of ferries was arriving or departing the port. Rows of new cars were parked on the dock waiting to be shipped.

In recent years, China and Greece have continuously promoted high-quality joint construction of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). Among all cooperation, port cooperation in particular encapsulates win-win results and helps the two major shipping countries to secure the world supply chain and prosper together. Global Times reporter Yin Yeping (GT) had an exclusive interview with the current Greek Secretary General for Maritime Affairs and Ports, Evangelos Kyriazopoulos (Kyriazopoulos), who shared with GT how China-Greece cooperation bears fruit under the joint construction of BRI and what to look forward next under this cooperation.

In March 2017, New Zealand became the first developed Western economy to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As the BRI celebrates its 10th anniversary, the Global Times recently conducted an interview with Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong regarding cooperation under the BRI and development in bilateral ties.

If one thing could epitomize the stronger connectivity between China and Central and Eastern Europe, it is the rising use of their own currencies to settle trade and investment.

When standing on the vast farmland of Mahitsy, northwest of Madagascar's capital Antananarivo, we would feel a little bit confused, as the view is exactly the same as in southern China. We saw the cattle walking along the vast rice planting farmland, the red soil exposed under the sun after being plowed, and the children running around the fields.

Standing atop the construction site of the 18-story FHL Commercial Tower in the heart of Suva's Business District, one can savor an expansive vista of the capital city sprawling out toward the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

Hungary has been partnering with China on propelling the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for more than 8 years, injecting momentum into their solid strategic partnership. On the 10th anniversary of the BRI, the Global Times reporter Yin Yeping (GT) interviewed Yang Chao (Yang), the Chinese Embassy's chargé d'affaires in Hungary, discussing how this partnership has thrived amid global geopolitical challenges.

The award ceremony for the Fifth Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) Short Video Competition took place in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Thursday. It aimed to share touching and engaging stories about the achievements and integration of civilizations brought by the BRI's construction in various countries and regions worldwide.

Despite constant claims from Western media that the Chinese-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is unwelcomed by the people of recipient countries and has caused conflict over environmental and employment issues, a recent fieldtrip by the Global Times to three Southeast Asian countries revealed a very different reality on the ground.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday took a test ride on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR), a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The test ride came as Li kicked off an official visit to Indonesia this week, where he is also attending the 26th China-ASEAN Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit.

As cool and pleasant breezes blow toward the central plateau of Madagascar, it is a signal that the rainy season is over, and it is time to harvest the crops.

People-to-people exchanges have played a crucial role in the success of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Over the past decade, an increasing number of Africans have had the opportunity to learn about Chinese history and culture through various channels, particularly Chinese TV dramas. Similarly, more Chinese individuals have gained a deeper understanding of Africa, which has laid a solid foundation for fostering closer relations between the two regions.

Tesfaye Hailemicheal and his colleagues have settled in the new headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) for over six months now. Hailemicheal still finds himself drawn to the meeting room across from his office. From there, he can admire the breathtaking views of the sleek, curved structure and the intricately layered sunshade components, showcasing the marvels of modern biotechnology. On the right side, he can observe Ethiopia's bustling city of Addis Ababa, with its roads filled with traffic from various directions and passing pedestrians.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Over the past decade, Africa has emerged as a prime example of how the BRI has delivered tangible benefits to both China and Africa, fostering closer ties between the two sides. The remarkable progress can be seen in the numerous infrastructure projects undertaken by Chinese companies, the increasing investments in Africa, the growing China-Africa trade, and the strengthening of people-to-people exchanges.

During a recent visit to Ethiopia, Kenya, and some other African countries, Global Times reporters visited several vocational education institutes, where they talked to young people and found that their work at Chinese companies have provided them with a decent life as well as opportunities to pursuit their dreams. China-Africa cooperation on vocational education has not only greatly ignited the dreams of African youth but also encouraged new markets and industrial chains, helping to drive and diversify the African economy.

Fei Rongwei, a civil engineer from a Beijing-based firm, still remembers his first sight when he landed at Antananarivo Ivato International Airport in Madagascar.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global cooperation platform that demonstrates China's vision and provides solutions for the reformation of the global governance system and other challenges. Reflecting on the development of the BRI over the last decade, there has been no shortage of evidence demonstrating its success. Standing at this monumental juncture, the Global Times is publishing a series of articles to help readers understand the fruitful journey of the BRI in the past 10 years from multiple perspectives, and how the initiative will proceed in the future. This is the sixth installment in the series, examining how the Kuantan Port in Malaysia has risen to be an important trade hub because of BRI.

A batch of mechanical parts and flowers weighing 16 tons and worth 1.65 million yuan was sent to Almaty from Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport on Wednesday, which marks the opening of Gansu's first international cargo route connecting with Central Asian countries. It also marks the province's efforts to open up to the West and to increase cooperation with Central Asian countries through the Belt and Road Initiative.

The year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Malaysia, with next year witnessing the 50th anniversary of establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Earlier this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reached a consensus on building a community of shared future for China and Malaysia, after Anwar's successful visit to China in late March. How have China and Malaysia maintained strong cooperation momentum? What practical benefits will the "Twin Parks" and the East Coast Rail Link project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework deliver to local people? What are the points of convergence between China's and Malaysia's development concepts? How should Southeast Asian countries respond to advocacy of the "China threat" theory by external forces? GT reporters Hu Yuwei, Li Xuanmin, Hao Shuangyan and Zhao Juecheng (GT) recently interviewed Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing (Ouyang) in Kuala Lumpur to hear his insights on the current state of bilateral relations and cooperation.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global cooperation platform that demonstrates China's vision for development and offers solutions for the reform of the global governance system and multi-faceted challenges. Against this backdrop, the Global Times is publishing a series of interviews with renowned scholars, think tank experts and analysts at financial institutions, sharing their insights and understanding of how this initiative has earned global recognition and growing esteem. This is the 10th installment in the series.

Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the top economic planner, and Levan Davitashvili, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, signed a cooperation deal on Monday to jointly build the Belt and Road between the two countries.

Amid an accelerating wave of de-dollarization across the world, Bolivia has become the third South American nation to use Chinese yuan for trade settlement, and the Bolivian government is pushing for the opening of Chinese banks in the country as soon as possible, according to media reports.

China and Italy have seen continuous economic and trade development, with bilateral trade volume reaching a new high for three consecutive years. According to a survey by the Italy China Council Foundation, 84 percent of Italian companies hold a positive outlook on the prospects of China-Italy economic and trade relations. The commendable achievements can be attributed to the successful implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which Italy signed with China in 2019.

Practical cooperation and visible achievements within the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continue to increase, and the narrative of BRI cooperation being "futile" is baseless, as the facts speak for themselves, Chinese Ambassador to Italy Jia Guide said in an interview with the Global Times.

Editor's Note: As the highly anticipated BRICS Summit 2023 will soon be held in Johannesburg, South Africa in August, South African Ambassador to China Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele (Cwele) expressed his expectations for the upcoming summit in core areas such as the group's further contribution in promoting the global recovery post-epidemic in an exclusive interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Xiong Xinyi. Cwele also highlighted the achievements that have been made and the unleashed potential for the cooperation between China and South Africa as well as between China and African nations under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Ports both domestic and overseas are calling for closer collaboration under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which marks its 10th anniversary this year. They made the call at an annual industry forum in Ningbo, the prominent nexus of transport and logistics in East China's Zhejiang Province, as they embark on a new journey to tackle global challenges such as inflation, economic slowdown and geopolitical uncertainty.

China and Algeria are set to strengthen cooperation under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with the scope and depth of investment expanding from traditional sectors such as basic infrastructure and energy to emerging areas like aerospace, telecommunications and new energy, representatives from Chinese companies said amid Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's ongoing five-day state visit to China.

Solomon Islands, with a population of more than 700,000, is a beautiful country consisting of six major islands and more than 900 smaller islands in Melanesia, South Pacific.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in China in October, according to Jelena Begovic, Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of Serbia.

Recently, Global Times reporter Li Xuanmin (GT) conducted an interview with Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee (Wirun), director of the Thailand-China Research Center of the Belt and Road Initiative and Researcher at the Thailand-China Strategic Research Center at the National Research Institute of Thailand. The interview focuses on the BRI and how the initiative has been facilitating trade and infrastructure connectivity in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). According to him, the China-proposed BRI has not only become a genuine driver of regional growth, but also provides a unique path of prosperity for ASEAN economies based on win-win cooperation.

Italy is willing to become a bridge connecting Europe and China and continue to play a positive role in EU-China relations, Antonio Tajani, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday in Rome when meeting with Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

If Italy chooses to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a platform that demonstrates the political mutual trust and strategic cooperation with China, it will have a negative impact on Italy's image, credibility, and cooperation, the Chinese Ambassador to Italy, Jia Guide, said.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global cooperation platform that demonstrates China's vision of global development and offers solutions to the reform of the global governance system and multi-faceted challenges. Against this backdrop, the Global Times is publishing a series of interviews with renowned scholars, think tanks and financial institutions, sharing their insights and understanding of how this initiative has earned global recognition and growing esteem. This is the eighth installment in the series. Recently, Global Times reporter Li Xuanmin (GT) conducted an interview with Helga Zepp-LaRouche (HZL), founder of Germany-based Schiller Institute, a political and economic think tank. The interview focuses on the BRI and Europe's policies toward China, including the two D-words (decoupling and de-risking), which, she said, are basically the same and illustrate implicitly the intention of the US and its allies to contain China's economic rise.

The US' use of the alleged African debt trap claim as an excuse against China in an attempt to hamper the healthy and sustainable development of the regional countries under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have been intensified, highlighted by the recent visits of US Vice President Kamala Harris to Africa, who pointed finger to African debt issue and China's alleged role in it, an allegation that has been refuted by many experts from both sides.

Good relations with China are possible even without being part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in an interview published on Sunday amid speculation that the Italian government was considering withdrawing from the initiative.

Uruguay's Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries Fernando Mattos just finished his 19-day trip in China on Friday, with fruitful results of bilateral agricultural cooperation including agreements between two agricultural ministries as well as institutions.

Chen Zhijin, a representative of JD Yuanhong Food Digital Economy Industry Center, never thought the center's food products are being shipped to Indonesia so sooner after the company was established.

Debugging and testing began on Monday on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR), a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It marks an important milestone before the full launch of the project.

China-Europe freight train service has witnessed solid growth in the first four months of this year, given a continuous rise of transport capacity and efficiency, data from China State Railway Group showed.

Cooperative projects between China and Central Asian countries rolled out in succession before and after the two-day China-Central Asia Summit held in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday.

With the first ever in-person summit between top leaders of China and five Central Asian countries in 31 years fast approaching, the China-Central Asia Summit is expected to open on May 18 and 19 in Xi'an, capital city of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. At the same time, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan is scheduled to pay a state visit to China upon invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Purchase orders worth more than 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion) for goods from Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) are expected to be placed at the upcoming third China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair in China, an official said on Sunday.

Foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan have agreed to enhance trilateral cooperation in economy, poverty reduction, and agriculture, and plan to extend the project of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan during the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue on Sunday.

China and Argentina have been close partners for decades and such a relationship has been further strengthened under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), exemplified by the joint development of pillar infrastructure projects such as dam, powerhouse, and railway construction, which inject real impetus to the country's sustainable development.

“I as a Pakistani can say that Pakistan has benefited tremendously from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that China proposed,” said special assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister and former special envoy for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Zafar Uddin Mahmood.

Latin America is an indispensable and important participant in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In recent years, more and more countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are working with China to advance high-quality BRI cooperation, creating opportunities for an increasing number of local residents.

Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, a signature project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a design speed of 350 kilometers per hour, has announced completion of the entire track-laying process, with full line operation set to start soon.

The real beauty of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the idea of sharing, and the BRI is of in-depth vision, international observers said on Tuesday at a panel session of the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia.

On March 19, 2023, the Belgrade-Budapest Railway (Belgrade-Novi Sad section), a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), will soon welcome its first anniversary. With its outstanding product and service quality, the Belgrade-Novi Sad railway has offered a speedy, convenient, and comfort travel experience to the Serbian people. The railway is significant not only for the development of Serbia but also for the connectivity improvement between the region and other parts of Europe and Asia, contributing to improved connectivity among Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has, on multiple occasions, commended the progress made by the railway.

Beijing launches its first China-Europe freight train, connecting with Moscow

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a high-quality public good initiated by China and jointly built by all partners, whose benefits are shared by the world. It has attracted the participation of more than three-fourths of the countries in the world and 32 international organizations, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang stressed on Tuesday at a press conference during the ongoing two sessions.

A deal for Myanmar's first wind power project with the participation of a Chinese energy infrastructure company was signed on Wednesday, a major step in bilateral new-energy cooperation, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar said in a statement released on Thursday.

China plays a vital role in international infrastructure buildup, especially under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Foreign envoys have hailed China's overseas infrastructure projects, saying they have brought tangible socioeconomic benefits to local communities by promoting connectivity and creating jobs.