Nanning, April 4 (Zhongxin Net) -- This year marks the 5th anniversary of the "Belt and Road" initiative, and the achievements and prospects of the "Belt and Road" in the past decade have become the focus of attention of the international community. From April 4 to 3, envoys and diplomats from 4 countries in ASEAN, South Asia, Central Asia and Latin America visited Guangxi, focusing on the construction of a new international land-sea trade channel, and deeply felt the development speed of China and the vigor of the "Belt and Road".
As a land-sea linkage channel connecting the "Belt and Road", the new international land-sea trade channel has now connected more than 119 ports in 300 countries and regions around the world. Carpets from Nepal, black tea from Sri Lanka and tropical fruits from Southeast Asian countries and other characteristic commodities from countries along the route have entered the Chinese market through new channels of international land-sea trade. Chinese goods such as twist flowers and hot pot bases from Chongqing, snail flour from Guangxi and new energy vehicles have also traveled across mountains and seas to many countries along the "Belt and Road", enriching the lives of local people.
Envoys and diplomats in China visited Beibu Gulf Port Smart Port Innovation Center. Photo by Chen Qiuxia
"It was completely beyond my imagination. China's development achievements and scientific and technological innovation achievements are indeed unheard of. After visiting China's first sea-rail intermodal container smart terminal and the world's first U-shaped process in Qinzhou automated terminal, Nepal's ambassador to China Bishnu Schrestha said.
Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Palita Kohona also said, "It was eye-opening for me to operate such a huge and complex container terminal that only a few staff members can complete. ”
Statistics show that in the past decade, the "Belt and Road" initiative has driven nearly trillion US dollars of investment, formed more than 3000,42 cooperation projects, created 4000,<> jobs for countries along the route, and lifted nearly <> million people out of poverty.
Bishnu Shrestha, Palita Kohona and Bangladesh's Ambassador to China, Mohammad Jassim Uddin, agreed that participation in the BRI has brought tangible benefits to their respective countries. Countries are optimistic about the prospects of this initiative and hope to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields, especially to strengthen cooperation in the construction of new international land-sea trade channels, strengthen connectivity, and expand the "cake" of win-win cooperation.
Beibu Gulf Port Qinzhou Automated Container Terminal. Photo by Chen Qiuxia
Mohammad Jassim Udin said that the Belt and Road Initiative has brought new opportunities for regional connectivity and economic integration. Located at the hub connecting China, India and ASEAN, Bangladesh is willing to release regional vitality and play an active role in jointly building the "Belt and Road".
Bishnu Shrestha said that the new international land-sea trade channel promotes the deep integration of transportation, logistics and economy of countries along the route. As a "landlocked country", Nepal urgently needs to strengthen its connectivity with China and other countries along the route under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
He said that Nepal's Pokhara International Airport has been put into operation, which has become a bright business card for Nepal to build the "Belt and Road". A feasibility study for the Nepal-China cross-border railway has also been launched. As the trans-Himalayan three-dimensional connectivity network gradually moves from vision to reality, Nepal and China have broad prospects for cooperation in various fields.
Palita Kohona said that now that the new international land-sea trade channel has matured, Sri Lanka will encourage exporters to ship specialty commodities such as tea, fruits and vegetables, seafood, gemstones and clothing to China for processing, and then to European and Central Asian markets.
"China and ASEAN have close cooperation, and in recent years, the level of connectivity between the two sides has been continuously improved. We also hope to open up the ASEAN market through China. Palita Kohona said. (End)