Jetliners replaced camel caravans a long time ago. These planes take off from Beijing’s international airports. China-Europe freight trains have also replaced them with increased shipping capacity. You are standing where northwest Beijing used to be. It thrived as a commercial hub centuries ago. Foreign merchants traded furs here for China’s silk. The Grand Canal was a busy route. Cargo ships carried goods from around the globe. The Silk Road’s legacy lives on.
Over the last decade, Beijing has piloted high-standard Belt and Road cooperation. It contributes to establishing connections. These include physical, institutional, and people-to-people connections. Beijing is adding a chapter to the Silk Road legend. It does so through smart manufacturing, services, standards and brands.
Consider flight JD455 operated by Capital Airlines. In early 2023, it arrived in Male. Male is the capital of the Maldives. Almost 200 Chinese passengers were on board from Beijing. The flight received a water cannon salute. This occurred at Velana International Airport. A Beijing-based company reconstructed the airport. It had only been open for three months.
A contractor from Beijing Urban Construction Group said that they had created many firsts in the Maldives. These are also firsts for Chinese construction companies. With expertise from constructing Beijing Daxing International Airport and smart construction techniques, it has set a new record for Chinese companies in coral sand reclamation abroad. It has also built the largest modern seaplane terminal and the first Class 4F runway in the region.
Infrastructure connectivity promotes cooperation and development. It paves the way for shared prosperity. Beijing-based companies have a proven track record. They are well-equipped to contribute to these efforts. An official said that enterprises in Beijing have accelerated infrastructure construction. This includes roads, ports, and municipal administration. It resulted in landmark projects. These have brought benefits to the local community.
Imagine construction workers from Beijing completing a highway in 2021. It connects Balikpapan and Samarinda in Indonesia. This marked the end of Kalimantan’s history of lacking highways. This nearly 100-kilometer road has become crucial. It is a crucial link to the country’s new capital region.
The recently inaugurated Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway is the first foreign project to fully use the system. It uses factors and the production chain of China’s high-speed railways. Oriental Yuhong, a Beijing-based company, has developed a customized, resilient and waterproof coating. It suits the hot and humid local climate perfectly.
The Changi NEWater Project Phase II is invested in and built by Beijing Enterprises Water Group Limited. It is one of the largest NEWater plants in Singapore. It accounts for over 30% of the NEWater production. This effectively addresses the local water supply shortage.
Since 2013, companies in Beijing have invested 6.06 billion dollars in Belt and Road countries. They launched major projects in infrastructure construction. They also invested in resource and energy exploration. Beijing’s expertise includes technology research and development. It also includes consultation, design, investment, construction, operation, and management. This has enabled its participation in key Belt and Road projects in nearly 20 countries.
In March 2023, the first China-Europe freight train departed from Mafang. Mafang is in Pinggu District in Beijing. It headed to Moscow carrying 55 containers. This marks a new international trade channel. It is fast and efficient. It is for auto parts, construction materials, and home appliances.
Beijing provides international services. Trade in services has contributed over 20 percent to Beijing’s annual foreign trade of 1 trillion yuan. The city trades with over 200 countries and regions. More than 1,000 service providers operate across borders.
Beijing has established a matchmaking platform. It connects the government, financial institutions and enterprises. The platform secures loans. These loans assist Beijing’s enterprises to go global. It encourages companies to engage in overseas merger and acquisition. It channels funds to support Belt and Road cooperation.
The BRI Legal and Commercial Innovation Services Platform shows the city’s growing impact in international arbitration. The platform has 652 mediators worldwide. It has a track record of mediated cases. Nearly half of the newly recruited foreign arbitrators come from countries in the Belt and Road cooperation.
Beijing’s smart manufacturing, services, and standards enhance connectivity. A promising Beijing story has begun. It is future-oriented and fascinating. It is a Silk Road of innovation, digitalization, green initiatives, health, and winter sports.