On October 7, the "Belt and Road" key project - China Laos International Railway domestic Yuxi to Mohan section of the track was fully launched, is expected to lay track and Laos section of the connection in April next year, which also laid the foundation for the end of 2021 railway line operation。
The China-Laos railway project is an epitome of active epidemic prevention and control and orderly progress of the Belt and Road Initiative。At the critical moment of the fight against the epidemic, China and other Belt and Road co-builders have helped each other, steadily advanced Belt and Road cooperation, and continued to promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road。
Build a Silk Road for health
At the most difficult moment in China's fight against the epidemic, many Belt and Road partners have provided help to China, promptly donated money and materials, expressed support for China's fight against the epidemic, had confidence in China's long-term economic growth, and cheered for China。
As the spread of the epidemic accelerates, countries along the Belt and Road share a common desire and have taken concrete actions to jointly fight the epidemic。At present, China has shared its experience in fighting the epidemic with all parties, provided medical and epidemic prevention materials, encouraged enterprises to expand production capacity and export in an orderly manner on the basis of meeting domestic epidemic prevention needs, and has been providing epidemic prevention assistance to countries in need within its capacity。
Zhou Zhou, deputy director of the Institute of America and Oceania of the Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce, told the International Business Daily reporter that cooperation in the field of public health is one of the important areas of jointly building the "Belt and Road"。The outbreak of the epidemic reminds all parties to deepen cooperation in public health in the future and work together to build a "Silk Road of health".。
"Countries along the Belt and Road should strengthen their epidemic prevention and control capacity through assistance, trade and industrial cooperation to tide over the difficulties.。Wang Shiye, associate researcher of the Ministry of Commerce Research Institute, told the International Business Daily reporter，After the epidemic is gradually alleviated, China should give full play to its efficiency advantages, cost advantages and gradually formed technological advantages，Closely align with the medical infrastructure and pharmaceutical industry needs of countries along the Belt and Road，We should carry out cooperation in building medical and health systems and medical infrastructure，Enhance people-to-people ties，The vision of promoting a community with a shared future for mankind has gained greater popularity。
Find opportunities in challenges
Careful analysis shows that under the spread of the global epidemic, the movement of people is limited, the transportation and logistics are blocked, the economic activities of various countries are slowed down, and some of the original economic and industrial cooperation modes are facing great challenges, including the global supply chain is inevitably disrupted, which has a certain impact on the promotion of the "Belt and Road" construction project。
After the outbreak of the epidemic, the Ministry of Commerce launched a series of practical measures to support development and promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road。On February 18, the Ministry of Commerce issued the Notice on Stabilizing Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment and Promoting Consumption in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, calling for the steady and orderly promotion of major projects under the Belt and Road Initiative。2月28日，The Ministry of Commerce and the China Development Bank jointly issued the Notice on the Role of Development Finance in Supporting High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation in Response to the COVID-19 Epidemic，Development financial support will be provided to high-quality Belt and Road projects and enterprises affected by the epidemic，This will further ensure the steady and orderly progress of major projects under the Belt and Road Initiative。
Data show that in the first two months, China's investment cooperation on the "Belt and Road" has increased significantly。Chinese enterprises have made new investments in 48 countries along the "Belt and Road", totaling 27.$200 million, an increase of 18.3%;In 59 countries along the route, 153 new foreign contract projects were signed.$600 million, an increase of 25 percent.6%, completed turnover 91.$400 million。
At the same time, the Belt and Road cooperation is also seeking development opportunities。Zhou said that under the impact of the epidemic, the original global industrial chain and supply chain have undergone some adjustments and changes, and some new international cooperation and division of labor will be formed, and all parties need to pay more attention to the new development opportunities brought by the epidemic prevention and control period and the subsequent post-epidemic economic recovery period。At the same time, the outbreak of the epidemic has put forward higher requirements for the transformation from the traditional economic development model to the digital economy, which will give birth to new business models and new forms of business, and create new development opportunities。"As the pandemic spreads across the globe, no country is immune。To tackle the epidemic and achieve economic development, all parties should not resort to beggar-thy-neighbor policies and work together to address challenges。”
Wang Shiye also believes that during the epidemic prevention and control period, traffic control, personnel movement restrictions, home isolation and other measures have brought attention to online office, remote conference, distance education and other systems。Relevant Chinese Internet, electronic information and communication enterprises can connect with the needs of countries along the "Belt and Road", seize opportunities, tap potential, and promote the docking and implementation of cooperation projects in the above fields。