The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) marks its tenth operational anniversary on Friday, having cumulatively approved nearly 70 billion U.S. dollars in financing and supporting 40 member economies across Asia and beyond.
Since its launch on January 16, 2016, the bank has grown from 57 founding members to 111 today, establishing itself as a key global multilateral institution. Over its first decade, the AIIB has approved 361 projects spanning energy, transport, digital economy, urban renewal and other key sectors.
AIIB's newly appointed President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Zou Jiayi, said that the bank will continue upholding multilateralism, deepening regional cooperation and supporting high-quality, sustainable infrastructure. She added that the institution aims to foster economic growth, promote digitalization, protect natural environment and enhance connectivity in order to create more development opportunities for its members.
Looking ahead, the AIIB chief expressed the bank's readiness to work closely with members and partners to advance more projects through practical action, increase development effectiveness, strengthen regional resilience and promote sustainable development in Asia and beyond.
AIIB grants 70 bln USD funding in 10 years
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
