By Zhang Liping, Research Team on “The Inter-Connectivity of the Belt and Road Initiative”, DRC

Research Report No. 17, 2017 (Total 5092) 2017-2-15

Abstract: The infrastructure construction project is the major part for realizing inter-connectivity of the Belt and Road Initiative, which requires a large amount of capital investment. According to a rough estimation, this project would need at least $10.6 trillion of joint investment from 2016 to 2020, of which about $1.4 trillion of investment is to be made by countries along the routes except China. Historical experience shows that the development of each country's infrastructure is mainly by its own strength, while external forces can only serve as a supplement. China is the world's second largest economy, with advanced technology and rich experience in infrastructure construction. With regard to the investment and financing for the infrastructure construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, China needs to participate in the project and play a positive role in the joint construction according to the principle of mutual benefit and common wins and in line with market rules so that China could, apart from being a major participator, share the successful experience and jointly promote the construction of the project together with other countries.

Key words: the Belt and Road Initiative, inter-connectivity project, infrastructure investment and financing