SCIO briefing series on 'high-quality achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan period': Commerce development

21st Century Business Herald:

The BRI has transformed from an idea into concrete action, from a proposal into a widely embraced global platform for connectivity and cooperation. What economic and trade achievements has Belt and Road cooperation delivered during the 14th Five-Year Plan period? What are the key highlights? Thank you.

Li Chenggang:

Thank you for your questions. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, MOFCOM thoroughly implemented the important guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping on Belt and Road cooperation. We worked with relevant countries, adhered to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and promoted pragmatic cooperation in economy and trade. This has achieved fruitful results, mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, contributing positively to an open global economy and building a community with a shared future for humanity. The achievements and highlights can be viewed from four angles:

First, trade and investment have continued to deepen, and production and supply chain links have grown closer. From a trade perspective, trade in goods between China and Belt and Road partner countries has increased from $2.7 trillion in 2021 to $3.1 trillion in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The share of this trade in China's overall trade rose from 45.3% in 2021 to 50.7% in 2024, and further increased to 51.8% in the first half of this year, accounting for more than half of our total trade. More high-quality products such as durians, dragon fruits, and coffee from Belt and Road partner countries have entered the Chinese market. Meanwhile, China's machinery equipment, electronic components and related products have also contributed to industrial development in partner countries. From an investment perspective, two-way investment between China and Belt and Road partner countries exceeded $240 billion from 2021 through the first half of 2025. China's investment in partner countries exceeded $160 billion, while partner countries invested more than $80 billion in China. The "Two Countries, Twin Parks" projects between China and Malaysia and between China and Indonesia have become flagship examples of industrial cooperation among Belt and Road partners.

Second, infrastructure projects have progressed steadily, with their overall impact becoming increasingly evident. We have coordinated the development of both landmark infrastructure projects and "small but beautiful" public welfare projects. From 2021 through the first half of 2025, the cumulative value of contracted projects in Belt and Road partner countries reached nearly $600 billion. A number of key infrastructure projects, including the China-Laos Railway, have been completed and put into operation. Construction of the China-Europe Railway Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has accelerated, enhancing regional connectivity. We have implemented more livelihood projects in agriculture, education, health, poverty reduction and other areas. For example, we have demonstrated and promoted Juncao technology and hybrid rice, training large numbers of technical personnel for local communities.

Third, emerging fields have expanded steadily, broadening the scope for cooperation. We have signed investment cooperation memorandums with over 50 Belt and Road partner countries in the digital, green, and blue economies, as well as other sectors. China has established Silk Road E-commerce partnerships with 36 countries, developing a range of cooperation programs such as Silk Road E-commerce Day, Silk Road Cloud Products and the Cloud Lecture Hall. More than 120 online and offline national pavilions have helped products from partner countries enter the Chinese market. We have advanced practical cooperation in green infrastructure and clean energy, and actively promoted international cooperation on green minerals.

Fourth, institutional mechanisms and platforms have been continuously improved, facilitating smoother communication and coordination. We have effectively utilized mechanisms such as bilateral economic and trade joint commissions, trade facilitation working groups, and investment cooperation working groups, while leveraging platforms like the China-ASEAN Expo and China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo to strengthen economic and trade exchanges and communication with Belt and Road partner countries. We have signed free trade agreements with countries including Ecuador and Serbia, as well as investment agreements with countries such as Angola and Tajikistan, advancing trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.

In the future, we will continue to advance and deepen cooperation based on what we have already achieved. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Due to time constraints, this will be the last question.