Hong Kong Economic Herald:

My question is about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The report to the 20th CPC National Congress spoke highly of the joint construction of the BRI over the past 10 years. BRI cooperation has become a popular platform for international cooperation. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI. What achievements have central government enterprises made in the Belt and Road cooperation? Regarding implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, what measures and actions will be taken to promote the Belt and Road cooperation in the next stage? Thank you.

Zhao Shitang:

Thank you for your questions. As you mentioned in your questions, centrally-administered SOEs have proactively integrated themselves into China's all-round opening up over the decade since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative. They have made great efforts to overcome risks and challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, profound changes unseen in a century, and downward pressure on the economy. They have achieved positive outcomes in promoting the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, which can mainly be demonstrated in the following three aspects.

First, centrally-administered SOEs have focused on constructing infrastructure and industrial parks and have integrated themselves into and promoted the development of the local economy. Over the past decade, centrally-administered SOEs have undertaken over 200 major infrastructure projects abroad, including ports, railways and airports. In the field of transportation, General Secretary Xi Jinping witnessed the successful trial operation of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway during the G20 summit. The China-Laos Railway has assisted Laos in transforming itself from a landlocked to a land-linked hub. The Piraeus port in Greece has become a gateway to the land-sea transport route in the Mediterranean region. In the field of communications, three major telecommunication operators have provided overseas service networks to over 40 countries. In energy, centrally-administered SOEs have undertaken about 300 projects, including hydropower, wind power, and photovoltaic projects. They have completed signature projects such as the Karot Hydropower Plant in Pakistan and the Belo Monte ultra-high voltage power transmission project in Brazil, advancing the green transition of energy and low-carbon development in host countries. They have constructed and operate over 20 industrial parks abroad, such as the China-Belarus Industrial Park, helping these countries to build a platform for international industrial-capacity cooperation. At present, the China-Belarus Industrial Park hosts more than 100 enterprises. 

Second, centrally-administered SOEs have fulfilled their social responsibilities and taken proactive steps to improve local people's lives. The overseas agencies of centrally-administered SOEs have directly created nearly a million jobs for local people and several times more indirect jobs. When implementing the Djibouti Port and Hambantota Port projects, they carried out the "Blue Ocean" training program, cultivating many port management professionals. The Cabinda water supply system project in Angola enabled 600,000 local people to access clean tap water. The China-assisted project of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters has been put into use, effectively improving disease prevention, control, and monitoring and epidemic response and emergency speed. 

Third, centrally-administered SOEs have followed international rules and standards and provided high-quality products and services to benefit the world. They have actively formulated international standards in areas such as ultra-high voltage and 5G communications. Meanwhile, they have taken the lead in establishing over 100 international standards for electricity. High-speed railways, ultra-high voltage power transmission technology, the new generation of mobile communications and Hualong One nuclear power technology, have gone overseas, enabling people along the Belt and Road to enjoy high-quality products and services. 

Next, centrally-administered SOEs will keep acting on market-oriented, law-based and international principles. They will build and operate a batch of major projects focusing on green, healthy and digital development areas to a high standard, such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway, and develop a series of "small and beautiful" projects with sound economic and social benefits. With all these efforts, they will promote Belt and Road cooperation to deliver more solid outcomes. Thank you.