Sinotrans Container Lines opens a new container route to India on August 30, 2023, by seeing off a ship at the Qingdao Port in China heading toward the Chennai Port of India. The Qingdao Port has opened 10 new routes to other BRI countries since the beginning of this year. 

During his visits to Central and Southeast Asia in 2013 , Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled China’s proposal to build a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in cooperation with related countries — known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with the focus on promoting policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds. Following the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, the initiative aims to bring benefits to all. 

Ten years on, the BRI has attracted the participation of more than 150 countries and 30-odd international organizations with more than 200 cooperation agreements sealed on jointly building the Belt and Road. An array of flagship BRI projects have led to the construction of landmark bridges, buildings, highways, and airports among others in related countries, greatly improving their infrastructure and boosting local development. 

This special report aims to present our readers with an overview of how the initiative has benefited the participating countries and boosted common development by highlighting specific regions. It also addresses some misconceptions about the BRI to provide greater clarity regarding the initiative.