BEIJING: Xi Jinping,the Chinese President successfully hosted the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) ten(10th) Anniversary,a program that was adopted by the Chinese government to invest in more than one hundred and fifty(150)countries and international organizations.
Beijing was abuzz during the BRI 10th Anniversary as President Xi Jinping and the Government of China prepared to welcome Heads of State,governments,and delegates to celebrate the ten(10) years of the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI), the initiative is now known as the BRI Forum.
Representatives who attended the historical event were from one hundred and forty(140)countries and more than thirty(30)international organizations.
Addressing participants during the official opening of the BRI 10th Anniversary,President Xi Jinping emphasised that,the BRI was based on mutually accepted agreements and negotiations adding that it opened up a new global chapter in intergovernmental inclusive multilateral cooperation.
Among the Heads of State who attended the gathering were Presidents from Russia,Sri Lanka, Kenya,Indonesia,Hungary, Argentina,Ethiopia and, and the United Nations(UN) Secretary General(SG).
After the the G20 Summit held in Russia and during his visit to Astana, Kazakhstan, President Xi Jinping evoked memories of the ancient Silk Road trade that linked China with Eurasia,the Middle East and Europe.
President Xi Jinping further underlined the importance of Kazakhstan as China’s energy supplier and, gateway westwards to consolidate relations with Central Asia.
But a few years ago, the Chinese President visited Indonesia and while addressing the Indonesian Parliament, he announced the intention to build a new “maritime silk road” for partnerships in Southeast Asia and beyond.
As a result,ten(10)years later the BRI is a reality linking countries across Africa,Asia,Europe,Eurasia, Southeast Asia,the Middle East, and Latin America.
On another note eSwatini, the only country in Africa with no diplomatic relations with China continues to be left behind on economic and/or infrastructure development,eSwatini has diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a Chinese Province that is not recognized as a country by the United Nations(UN).
Reached for comments,Brian Sangweni,the Spokesperson of eSwatini’s main political party,the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said,as an organization,they respect the adopted United Nations Resolution 2758 that endorsed the one China principle.
“We have seen the Mainland China investing billions in infrastructure development in other African countries so we are better with China than Taiwan. We don’t need rice and beans but we need economic development so that we can feed ourselves”,said the PUDEMO Spokesperson.
Chinese President Xi Jinping.