What is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, in Chinese 一带一路) is China’s main international cooperation and economic strategy. The BRI is also known as the “One Belt One Road” (OBOR), the “Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road” or just the “New Silk Road”. It is a monumental global development program initiated to connect China with the world to promote trade, economic integration and growth.
Since its inception by President Xi in 2013, the BRI has spanned over 150 countries and 30 international organizations.
Source: INAT
“Five goals” of BRI
- policy coordination,
- facilities connectivity,
- unimpeded trade,
- financial integration, and
- people-to-people bonds.
Regions that receive most BRI investments
- East Asia with 25%
- Sub-Saharan Africa with 22%
- West Asia with 21%
- Arab and Middle East with 15%
（This infographic describes countries participating in the BRI by year of joining.）