A study by researchers at the Centre for Asia-Pacific Development Studies found that China's Belt and Road Initiative is associated with improved corruption control, reduced debt risks, and boosted global trade, challenging claims that it is a 'debt trap'.
Hong Kong's upcoming first five-year plan must transcend familiar initiatives, setting clear targets, ambition, and real accountability to align with national priorities by 2030.
China is rapidly expanding its land-based export routes through Central Asia, including new railway lines, to diversify trade channels and mitigate risks from escalating geopolitical tensions affecting maritime hubs. This strategy has significantly boosted trade with Central Asian nations.
Central Asia's five nations, initially overlooked recipients of Chinese investment, are now gaining economic and geopolitical traction due to BRI and global shifts. Once poor Soviet-era states, they are becoming more prosperous and strategically significant.
Japan, in cooperation with the World Bank, is accelerating its energy security and supply chain project, posing a challenge to the US's economic and strategic influence in Asia.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee led a delegation to Kazakhstan, witnessing partnership agreements between Hong Kong universities and Nazarbayev University. The move aims to deepen academic collaboration and strengthen ties, building on the Belt and Road Initiative.
China and Kazakhstan have launched a joint grain-trading platform to reduce reliance on global supply chains and maritime chokepoints. The deal, focusing on soybeans and oilseeds, aims to bolster China's food security amid global uncertainties.
Huang Zaisheng, Honorary President of the Tanzania Chinese Chamber of Commerce, stated that overseas Chinese are crucial bridges for the Belt and Road Initiative, leveraging their understanding of both Chinese and local markets to facilitate economic and infrastructure connections. He highlighted the role of the China-Tanzania Industrial Park in supporting Chinese enterprises expanding into Africa.
Huang Yinhua, Chairman of the Indonesian Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, stated that overseas Chinese are indispensable natural bridges for the Belt and Road Initiative, leveraging their cultural, legal, and market understanding to foster trust and facilitate project implementation. He highlighted opportunities in infrastructure, digital economy, green energy, and cross-border e-commerce, particularly noting the potential in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle.
The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), reauthorized by Congress in December, expands its $205 billion portfolio to support private-led projects globally, contrasting with China's state-led approach.
China and Serbia signed over 20 deals covering politics, trade, tech, education, cultural exchanges, and AI. Presidents Xi Jinping and Aleksandar Vucic pledged to strengthen their "ironclad friendship" and cooperation in international affairs.
Gulf nations Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE convinced Trump to delay a planned attack on Iran, opting for diplomacy. Meanwhile, US probes corruption in Ukraine and Russia-China deepen ties.
Yinchuan, Ningxia's core area for an inland open economic pilot zone, has significantly boosted its opening-up efforts over the past five years by integrating into the Belt and Road Initiative. The city has hosted major events, expanded logistics networks to 35 countries, and seen cross-border e-commerce transactions exceed 12 billion yuan.
Pakistan is poised to become the latest partner in a China-centred trading network, known as the Belt and Road Initiative, to sell “panda bonds”. Islamabad seeks to raise as much as US$250 million through its first-ever sale of the bonds – yuan-denominated debt instruments sold by foreign entities in mainland China’s onshore market – as early as this week. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb confirmed on Saturday that Islamabad was preparing to access Chinese capital markets with the sale – the...
The leaders of Hong Kong and Uzbekistan met on Wednesday to strengthen trade ties, as China and the Central Asian country signed 15 bilateral agreements covering areas such as infrastructure, healthcare and metal production. At a meeting at Government House with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdullah Nigmatovich Aripov, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu pledged to expand Hong Kong’s presence in Belt and Road Initiative markets and strengthen cooperation. Speaking later at a forum and exhibition with the...
Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov will visit Hong Kong two days after a 200-strong delegation from the Central Asian country arrived in the city via a charter flight on Monday to explore collaboration opportunities. It was understood that a high-level Hong Kong delegation will also visit Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan soon. Commissioner for Belt and Road Initiative Nicholas Ho Lik-chi said he was “very bullish” about the city’s relationship with Uzbekistan at a welcome event for the largest...
Passenger traffic from China to Central Asia surged by 59.3 per cent in 2025, fueled by increased business, trade, and Belt and Road Initiative investments, marking a robust recovery and expansion in regional connectivity.
The European Commission has imposed anti-dumping duties ranging from 11% to 25.4% on glass fibre produced by Chinese companies operating in Egypt, Bahrain and Thailand. The measures target Belt and Road routing to circumvent tariffs on products labelled "made in China". By 2024, imports from these three countries accounted for 24% of the EU market, with Egyptian imports alone reaching 18%. The industry employs over 4,500 workers directly in the EU, with unions warning of potential plant closures without stronger action.
