The joint construction of the "Belt and Road" brings opportunities and stability to Europe
Brussels, 19 Oct (Xinhua) -- Question: The joint construction of the "Belt and Road" brings opportunities and stability to Europe
Xinhua News Agency reporter
The evolution of the century-old changes has accelerated, and the instability and uncertainty of the world have increased significantly. Cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative has faced new challenges and demonstrated strong resilience and vigor.
Over the past decade, the trade volume between China and European countries participating in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" has been growing, the China-Europe Express has been galloping, landmark projects have come to fruition, and people-to-people exchanges have become more convenient and green digital cooperation more prominent, which has strongly promoted China-EU relations.
Increase well-being and benefit people's livelihood
"If the Pelješac Bridge is not built by Chinese companies, it is estimated that it will take at least 100 years!" So lamented the inhabitants of Komarna, Croatia, where the bridge is located.
Selma Kunderson is a civil engineer who worked on the bridge project for 4 years, procuring materials and signing contracts with subcontractors. Kunderson said her father, who was also an engineer, had a big wish to build a bridge across Stone Bay that connected Croatia. Now, Chinese companies have fulfilled her father's wish to make the dream shared by generations in Croatia a reality.
Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic said in an interview with reporters that the Pelješac Bridge is the most important infrastructure construction project in Croatia, and the completion and smooth opening of the bridge on time is one of the most important events in Croatia, realizing the desire to connect the northern and southern territories.
Over the past decade, China has strengthened the alignment of high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies and regional cooperation initiatives of various countries. While strengthening the "hard connection" of infrastructure and deepening the "soft connection" of rules and standards, the "Belt and Road" cooperation has enhanced the sense of participation and satisfaction of the local people and promoted the "heart connection" between the people of the country by creating high-quality people's livelihood projects.
Analysts pointed out that the "Belt and Road" pragmatic cooperation has continued to deepen and expand, forming more grounded and people-oriented cooperation results, making positive contributions to the development of economies, increasing employment and improving people's livelihood for all countries, including countries jointly built in the European region, and has become a popular international public goods and international cooperation platform.
Strengthen the economy and promote development
Ivanovich, a 58-year-old driver, knows Montenegrin road conditions well and has been driving for 40 years since he was 18 years old. But every time he drove on the narrow and rugged mountain road, he felt apprehensive. Ivanovich told reporters that the winding road is narrow and steep, there are many sharp turns, and some tunnels are not supported by concrete.
That has all changed since last July. The priority section of the North-South Expressway in Montenegro, built by China Road and Bridge Engineering Co., Ltd., was officially opened to traffic, providing drivers with a safe and convenient choice.
Not only that, but this project has also brought many direct and indirect economic benefits to Montenegro, creating better conditions for the recovery of tourism as a pillar industry and providing a strong impetus for the overall economic development. In 2022, Montenegro's economy grew by 6.1% compared to the previous year, higher than the regional average.
From the port of Piraeus in Greece to the north-south highway in Montenegro, from the Pelješac Bridge in Croatia to the Hungarian-Serbian railway, the European regional projects carried out under the "Belt and Road" initiative have further promoted trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, ensured the stability and smoothness of the regional industrial chain and supply chain, highlighted the principles of benefit sharing, environmental friendliness and higher efficiency, and proved with solid and heavy achievements that the "Belt and Road" is a sunshine road for China to share opportunities and seek common development with the world.
Sustainable communication is fostered
Over the past decade, the "Belt and Road" projects in Europe have not only been of excellent quality, but also continuously increased investment in the field of ecological and environmental protection, helping the European region to jointly build countries to achieve green transformation and sustainable development goals.
Shanghai Electric Power has completed the transformation of Malta's Delimala Phase III power plant, which is far superior to EU environmental protection standards for sulfides, nitrogen oxides, solid particulate matter and carbon emissions, turning the former "polluter" into a "green pioneer" and the "artery" of Malta's power supply. David Grischiti, Director of Production Technology at the Power Plant, was involved in the entire transformation process and looks forward to Shanghai Power helping Malta further expand the use of renewable energy.
As one of the largest photovoltaic projects in Hungary, the Kaposburg 100 MW photovoltaic power plant project invested and built by China National Machinery Import and Export (Group) Co., Ltd. is another example of the "Belt and Road" project in Europe to help improve environmental governance capabilities and promote green development. After commissioning in May 2021, the project will generate 130 million kWh of electricity per year, save 45,000 tons of standard coal and reduce 120,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which will play a huge role in promoting the development of renewable energy in Hungary.
The Bruegel Institute, a European think tank, released a report pointing out that the "Belt and Road" initiative has withstood multiple challenges and tests in the past decade, and its attention has increased significantly around the world.
From promoting infrastructure connectivity, to promoting economic and trade cooperation, to achieving peaceful coexistence through cultural exchanges, Stefan Ossenkop, an expert at the Schiller Institute, a German think tank, described the unique charm of the "Belt and Road" initiative as follows: it is a great civilization project and a grand vision for all countries and cultures around the world to live in better harmony. (Written by: Kang Yi; Participating reporters: Li Xuejun, Chen Hao, Shi Zhongyu, Chen Wenxian, Fu Yiming, Shan Weiyi)
