HONG KONG: The Belt and Road initiative plans to catalyse regional and intercontinental connectivity through large scale investments, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the China-led initiative would help Asia and the Pacific deal with shared socio-economic and environmental regional vulnerabilities while enhancing the region’s growth and productivity.
“Asia and the Pacific economics have embraced the initiative. If effectively implemented, it will surely help mitigate the impacts of global uncertainties and a confluence of macroeconomic and financial market vulnerabilities,” he said.
Dr Ahmad Zahid was delivering a keynote address at the patron’s dinner and award presentation ceremony of the 9th World Chinese Economic Summit here Monday.
He added that the Belt and Road has the potential to address widening regional and domestic infrastructure deficits created by rapid urbanisation and a growing middle class which have contributed to rising inequalities.
Dr Ahmad Zahid stressed that China has reassured its peaceful intentions, stating that it has no plans other than building roads, laying railways, upgrading ports and boosting trade with countries along the Belt and Road routes.
“China’s reassurance of its peaceful intention would be greatly beneficial to the success of the Belt and Road. Implementing the Belt and Road will therefore require a high level of mutual cooperation, understanding and trust,” he said.
At the event, the WCES Special Benevolent Award was presented to Indonesian vice-president Jusuf Kalla.
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