BRI gains traction at Summer Davos as global cooperation offers new opportunities

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has emerged as one of the most discussed topics among global participants at the ongoing 16th Summer Davos Forum in north China's port city of Tianjin.

At a sub-forum themed "Where is the Belt and Road heading," officials, entrepreneurs, and scholars from China and countries along the related routes, including Egypt and Kyrgyzstan, exchanged views on cooperation opportunities in infrastructure, trade, and energy.

Many said the BRI has become an increasingly vital international platform for cooperation in a world marked by mounting geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev highlighted the significance of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, underscoring the BRI's role in regional connectivity.

Construction officially commenced in late April on three critical tunnels along the railway's Kyrgyz section, marking a major milestone as the project advances into its mainline construction phase.

"As a key part of the Belt and Road Initiative, this transport corridor will link the East and the West along the China-West Asia-Europe route," Kasymaliev said.

Participants also emphasized the initiative's contributions to global energy development and the transition to green energy.

"Our technologies for wind and solar energy, now exported to over 200 countries and regions, are greatly advancing the global transition to green energy," said Qian Chaoyang, general manager of China Southern Power Grid.

With the booming of new technologies and industries, many agreed that the BRI is offering new opportunities.

"There is strong demand in emerging markets for infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. A new round of technological and industrial transformation is gaining momentum. Many partner countries are committed to developing a digital economy and green growth. This opens up vast new space for cooperation," said Zhou Haibing, vice chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

This year's Summer Davos Forum, officially known as the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum, runs from June 24 to 26 under the theme "Entrepreneurship in the New Era."

The event has brought together around 1,700 participants from over 90 countries and regions.

BRI gains traction at Summer Davos as global cooperation offers new opportunities

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.

At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.

Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.

The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.

Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.

Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.

Iran swears to counterattack if attacked