Empowering high-quality development of the Belt and Road

Many B&R countries possess abundant natural resources for green energy, providing a solid foundation for transformation. Chinese enterprises actively engage in B&R renewable energy cooperation through various means including EPC projects, overseas manufacturing, investments as well as mergers and acquisitions by leveraging their experience and technological capabilities in the area. China has officially declared the cessation of new overseas coal-fired power projects. In the future, Chinese enterprises will further leverage their advantages and form a collaborative network when “go abroad”, harnessing strengths and creating synergy.

The construction industry is a key area for energy efficiency and environmental conservation. As population and urbanization levels grow in B&R countries and regions, infrastructure construction, commercial and residential building demands will continue to increase rapidly. Therefore, it’s crucial to promote energy efficient practices, green building materials and sustainable construction methods. Currently, Chinese enterprises have initiated numerous green construction projects in B&R countries, actively promoting green building technologies, preserving ecological environment and adhering to green development principles throughout operational phase after completion.

With the accelerating urbanization and motorization processes in B&R countries, transportation-related environmental issues, health concerns and traffic congestion issues have become prevalent. Currently, China holds a certain advantage in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. Promoting cooperation with B&R countries is not only beneficial for these countries to enhance their NEV industry, but also significant for the internationalization of Chinese NEV brands and the development of the GSR. Chinese enterprises also actively collaborate with B&R countries in green rail transportation, exemplified by the growth of the China-Europe freight train network.

Sustainable development is vital for consumer product companies. The challenges and opportunities they face span the entire value chain, including aspects such as water resource utilization, biodiversity conservation, circular economy and sustainable finance. Chinese enterprises not only actively export green and sustainable consumer products to B&R countries, but also invest in or acquire local green technology companies or companies dedicated to sustainable development. They are also promoting long-term development by R&D cooperation with companies in B&R countries.

Global climate governance requires substantial investments in low-carbon industries for industrial transformation and technological upgrading. Various financial institutions participating in the GSR help meet the funding needs of enterprises and offer innovative green financial products, which can improve resource allocation efficiency, minimize transformation costs for businesses, supporting the high-quality B&R development.

Digital infrastructure is essential for enhancing economic efficiency and underpins the digital economy development. As the digital economy advances, the concept of digital infrastructure has broadened, including not only information infrastructure but also the digitalization of physical infrastructure. The development of the DSR offers opportunities for developing countries and regions to rapidly catch up with the digital world. In particular, China’s expertise in global 5G technology supports the high-quality development of the DSR and international expansion of other Chinese digital firms.

Smart manufacturing integrates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, robotics and the Internet to improve efficiency and productivity in enterprise operation. Intelligent engineering represents the digital transformation in the field of construction, enabling an integrated and efficient project management approach. China values cooperation with B&R countries and regions in supply chain area, striving to replicate advanced supply chain practices to jointly create a high-quality cross-border industrial supply chain ecosystem driven by innovation, digitalization and technology.

As smart city projects spread in China, Chinese enterprises have accumulated numerous practical cases and a robust industrial chain. China’s rapid development in technologies such as cloud computing and big data plays a fundamental role in its participation in jointly building B&R smart cities. As infrastructure in B&R countries continues to improve, coupled with government support in funding and policies, the future market prospects for smart city projects are promising.

Cross-border e-commerce is a crucial driver of the development of the DSR, benefiting from multi-level policy support from both China and foreign nations, widespread integration of emerging technologies in e-commerce, and the accelerated connectivity in cross-border logistics. In many B&R countries and regions, a growing population and vast consumer potential present significant development opportunities for Silk Road e-commerce.

The rapid development of network infrastructure and digital technology has created favorable conditions for digital entertainment products to go global. Chinese enterprises, particularly in the gaming industry, are actively going abroad, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and connectivity with B&R countries. Moreover, Chinese companies in fields like video and music are also actively exploring B&R market opportunities.