A foreign policy expert, Prof. Yusuf Zoaka, says China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) seeks a developed and peaceful world anchored on mutual cooperation and shared prosperity.
He disclosed this in Abuja while speaking to newsmen as part of activities marking the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation scheduled for Beijing, China, between 17-18 October 2023.
He said, “The Belt and Road Initiative is a program for the benefit of the human race. The target is to promote global trade by bringing all five continents under one umbrella. The aim is to promote a peaceful world. China is not thinking of developing alone and leaving other countries behind. Just as they are developing, other countries should also develop.
“The Chinese are talking about a shared future for humanity. They want a very peaceful development. They are not interested in wars and sponsoring wars and conflicts. Their target is a peaceful world anchored on shared prosperity for the human race. They expect that just like they are prospering and making progress with several cities modernized with new infrastructure, other countries should also benefit and experience development.”
Prof. Zoaka listed the Abuja Metro Light Rail, Lekki Free Trade Zones, Lagos Blue Rail, Abuja-Kaduna rail line and the terminal expansion of federal airports as some of the tangible outcomes of Nigeria’s participation in the initiative.
The University of Abuja lecturer expressed optimism that the 3rd Belt and Road Forum would provide tangible outcomes for developing economies in digital economy, security, industrialization and power generation.
In 2013, President Xi Jinping unveiled the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure development strategy to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations.
The initiative is the largest infrastructure and investment project in history, covering more than 150 countries, with China spending over $4 trillion on infrastructural investments as of 2023.
Through the BRI, China has made its mark worldwide by funding over 2,900 projects in roads, railways, bridges, hospitals, schools and airports in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, thus promoting trade and economic development of member countries.
