Mega event in Beijing China to showcase achievements and potential of BRI.

AS PART of the celebrations to mark completion of ten years of the historic Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China is hosting a mega event in Beijing to showcase achievements of the widely-acclaimed vision of President Xi Jinping and its vast potential to accelerate the pace of socio-economic progress in almost all continents of the globe. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation would be held in the Chinese capital on October 17 and 18, which will be attended by leaders from 130 countries and 30 international organizations.

Pakistan, which is considered to be the living example of the success of the flagship project of the BRI - China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) - would be effectively represented by Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar. The visit would provide him an opportunity for an indepth exchange of views with the Chinese leadership on ways and means to take the bilateral cooperation to new heights to the mutual advantage of the people of the two countries.

The Chinese President, who launched the initiative in 2013 as part of his vision of shared prosperity, would deliver a key-note address at the forum, which is being held under the theme 'High Quality Belt and Road Initiative: Together for Common Development and Prosperity'. The event would feature three high-level forums on connectivity, green development, and digital economy, as well as six seminars.

The two-day Forum has special significance as it will have in-person participation by a large number of delegates from different parts of the world as no Forum could be held after 2019 due to concerns and precautions arising out of Covid-19. The Forum also assumes importance as it would be held weeks after announcement of some countries about the launch of a new India-Middle East-Europe Corridor. It might take years for the new plan to lift off because of political, economic and geographic constraints but through their hard work, commitment and dedication, Chinese have already demonstrated to the world that the BRI has the potential to change the entire landscape of world. In fact, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) grows from China but serves the world as over the past decade, an open China has joined hands with more and more partners for a better world. Some international observers comment that no country in history has ever tried to roll out policies to build economic ties among so many countries across various continents.

The success of the Chinese initiative...