Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery

China’s Belt and Road Initiative turns 10: Xi announces 8 new priorities, continues push for global influence

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023
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President Xi Jinping launched it in 2013 with a first speech in Kazakhstan and a second one in Indonesia.

Key Points: 
  • President Xi Jinping launched it in 2013 with a first speech in Kazakhstan and a second one in Indonesia.
  • The Kazakhstan speech outlined five elements of the “Belt”: strengthening policy communication; road connectivity; currency circulation; people-to-people ties; and promoting unimpeded trade.
  • As an economist with a keen interest in the political economy of China-Africa relations, I have studied the Belt and Road Initiative since its inception.
  • Much is made of a fall in spending on the Belt and Road Initiative.
  • Xi’s announcement at this year’s forum offered old and new news for the Belt and Road Initiative and its signatories.

Comparing promises 10 years on


Xi made eight major commitments at the October 2023 forum. More than half of these draw directly from the policy focus areas announced a decade ago.
Xi promised to build a multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity. He referred to roads, rail, port and air transport and related logistics and trade corridors.
He promised to open China’s economy more to the world. Higher trade levels would be one way. Alongside a new emphasis on the digital economy, Xi added that China would establish pilot zones for e-commerce-based cooperation. In Africa, a guide to those may be provided by the two existing digital commerce hubs set up by Alibaba in Ethiopia and Rwanda under its electronic World Trade Platform Initiative.
He spoke of “practical cooperation”. This seems to refer to financing for expensive infrastructure projects, smaller livelihood projects and technical and vocational training. This has an aspect of crossover with currency circulation, people-to-people ties, unimpeded trade and more.
Xi’s recent speech also promised to support people-to-people exchanges. This is a direct take from the first launch speech of 2013. But he added detail about establishing arts and culture alliances. Also that China would host a “Liangzhu Forum” to enhance dialogue on civilisation.
Finally, in line with the earlier commitment to elevated policy dialogue, Xi promised to strengthen institutional building for international Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. This relates to building platforms for cooperation in energy, taxation, finance, green development, disaster reduction, anti-corruption, think-tanks, media, culture, and other fields.

  • Beyond the promises made in Xi’s speech to this year’s forum, elevated funding for China’s policy banks was announced.
  • Further, agreements made between participants also signal commitment to the original principles of the Belt and Road Initiative.

New promises


There are three new policy promises added to those of a decade ago.
China will promote green development, including green infrastructure, green energy, and green transportation. It will hold a Belt and Road Initiative Green Innovation Conference and establish a network of experts. China also promised to provide 100,000 training opportunities in areas of green development.
China will continue to advance scientific and technological innovation. It will hold a conference on Science and Technology Exchange, and increase the number of joint laboratories that support exchange and training for young scientists. Xi also promised that China would propose a Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence Governance, and promote secure artificial intelligence development.
China will promote integrity-based cooperation. This would include publishing details of Belt and Road achievements and prospects, and establishing a system of evaluating compliance.
These new areas are of increasing economic importance to China, amid rapid population ageing especially, and competition with high-income countries.

The future

  • There was more detail especially on people-to-people ties and on areas of policy dialogue to be fostered.
  • He added some new areas such as artificial intelligence governance, green development, e-commerce, and greater emphasis on scientific and tech cooperation.
  • Comparing the new policy signals with the earlier ones implies that the initiative is by design adaptable.


Lauren Johnston does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

CBAS and WAYS Invite Applications for the World Association of Young Scientists Sustainable Development Goals Award

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Thursday, September 14, 2023
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BEIJING, Sept. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the pressing global challenges of sustainable development, the World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS), in collaboration with the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS) is proud to announce the prestigious World Association of Young Scientists Sustainable Development Goals Award (WAYS SDG Award).

Key Points: 
  • BEIJING, Sept. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the pressing global challenges of sustainable development, the World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS), in collaboration with the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS) is proud to announce the prestigious World Association of Young Scientists Sustainable Development Goals Award (WAYS SDG Award).
  • This prestigious award aims to celebrate and support young scientists who have made significant contributions to advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs) through their innovative basic and applied science research and engineering endeavors.
  • The WAYS SDG Award is made possible with the sponsorship of the China Association for Science and Technology and the Wenzhou World Young Scientist Growth Foundation.
  • Individuals and organizations are encouraged to join in recognizing and celebrating the remarkable contributions of young scientists who are propelling sustainable development and shaping a brighter future for all.

Global Facilities Outlines the Importance of Regular Fire Door Inspections for Ensuring Building Safety

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Friday, February 24, 2023
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Global Facilities can help you to adhere to these important new fire safety regulations and give you the best chance of ensuring your building and the people within it are protected.

Key Points: 
  • Global Facilities can help you to adhere to these important new fire safety regulations and give you the best chance of ensuring your building and the people within it are protected.
  • Global Facilities offers a comprehensive fire safety service, from vital routine inspections of all fire equipment (such as alarms, extinguishers and fire doors), through to professional installations and rectifying fire risks.
  • Global Facilities can help you to minimise fire risks and maximise fire safety by arranging a comprehensive regular fire door check and a service plan for your property.
  • As an experienced facilities management company offering comprehensive services, Global Facilities can work with you to make sure that fire safety measures are put in place, prioritised and managed efficiently in your building.

TaskUs Makes Long-Term Commitment to Support Partnership That Will Bring A New Solar Plant to Texas

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Tuesday, February 14, 2023
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Through the VPPA, TaskUs and other customers are contributing to the financing of a new solar plant in Laredo, Texas that will add clean energy to a grid that largely relies on coal and gas.

Key Points: 
  • Through the VPPA, TaskUs and other customers are contributing to the financing of a new solar plant in Laredo, Texas that will add clean energy to a grid that largely relies on coal and gas.
  • Supporting the fixed-price VPPA allows TaskUs to lock in long-term costs, as well as make significant progress towards its ambitious environmental goals.
  • The Texas power grid experiences high emissions intensity owing to a reliance on coal and gas and the new solar plant will allow TaskUs and other companies to realize significant carbon reduction impact with their investments.
  • The VPPA participation is illustrative of TaskUs' ESG goals, which continue to be a key consideration for company operations.

JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles Presents “Designing With Disaster: Stories From Seven Regenerative Cities”

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Thursday, January 5, 2023
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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles , a Japanese cultural destination in the heart of Hollywood, announces its upcoming exhibition “Designing with Disaster: Stories from Seven Regenerative Cities” on display from January 27 – April 2, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Jan. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles , a Japanese cultural destination in the heart of Hollywood, announces its upcoming exhibition “Designing with Disaster: Stories from Seven Regenerative Cities” on display from January 27 – April 2, 2023.
  • The exhibition also features illuminated Regenerative City Wells (“Wells”) with an immersive physical, video, and audio experience envisioning seven hypothetical regenerative cities.
  • In conjunction with the upcoming exhibition, the UCLA Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies and JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles will co-host the Global Japan Forum 2023: Designing with Disaster to be held on January 28, 2023 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles.
  • Walk-ins are invited and the gallery is open daily from
    For more information, visit the JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles website and social channels: Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , YouTube and LinkedIn .

STATEMENT: CLIMATE PROOF CANADA APPLAUDS THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ON WORLD-LEADING NATIONAL ADAPTATION STRATEGY

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Thursday, November 24, 2022
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OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 24, 2022 /CNW/ - Climate Proof Canada congratulates the Government of Canada on the announcement of its first National Adaptation Strategy, Canada's National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 24, 2022 /CNW/ - Climate Proof Canada congratulates the Government of Canada on the announcement of its first National Adaptation Strategy, Canada's National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy.
  • The National Adaptation Strategy and corresponding National Action Plan reflect Climate Proof Canada's recommendation to set out a sequence of five-year action plans to address flood, wildfire and extreme heat.
  • Climate Proof Canada members look forward to continuing to support and strengthen the National Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, and stand ready to play an active role in working with the federal government to finalize targets.
  • The Canadian Red Cross applauds Ministers Guilbeault, Wilkinson and Blair for their leadership in launching Canada's first-ever National Adaptation Strategy.

Maravai LifeSciences Strengthens Executive Leadership Team to Support Long-Term Growth

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Monday, June 27, 2022
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We are very pleased to welcome Pete to the Maravai senior leadership team, said Carl Hull.

Key Points: 
  • We are very pleased to welcome Pete to the Maravai senior leadership team, said Carl Hull.
  • His extensive experience in the healthcare sector brings valuable insights as we scale the organization for expected, continued long-term growth.
  • Petehasover30years of experience leading growth and change across a wide variety of businesses, and specifically in scaling global healthcare companies.
  • Throughout 2022, Pete has worked as a consultant to Maravai on a number of issues related to organizational design, compensation and retention.

Rubenstein Partners Leases 360,000-Square-Feet of Premier Space at Warren Corporate Center to PTC Therapeutics

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Friday, June 10, 2022
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WARREN, N.J., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rubenstein Partners, L.P. (including its affiliates, Rubenstein), a vertically integrated real estate investment adviser focused on value-added office property equity and debt opportunities, and joint venture partner Vision Real Estate Partners, a full-service real estate owner/operator, today announced global biopharmaceutical PTC Therapeutics (PTC) signed a new 360,000-square-foot, long-term lease at Warren Corporate Center, within the five-building office campus in Warren, N.J.

Key Points: 
  • The lease spans two full buildings located at 400 and 500 Warren Corporate Center Drive and, following construction, will include offices, collaboration and conferencing spaces, and research laboratories.
  • Construction activities on the new facility at Warren Corporate Center is expected to begin in June 2022.
  • "Warren Corporate Center is a suburban office site designed for the modern employee," added Sam Morreale, founding and managing partner of Vision Real Estate Partners.
  • Warren Corporate Center is a singular offering in the highly competitive New Jersey office market, and we are pleased to welcome PTC as the long-term, addition to the campus."

World Bank and Singapore Space & Technology launch Digital Earth Partnership Technology Challenge on Urban Heat

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Thursday, December 23, 2021
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SINGAPORE, Dec. 23,2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore Space & Technology Limited(SSTL) announces the second year of its partnership with the World Bank Group, to organize a Digital Earth Partnership Technology Challenge focused on the measurement and analysis of extreme urban heat.

Key Points: 
  • SINGAPORE, Dec. 23,2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore Space & Technology Limited(SSTL) announces the second year of its partnership with the World Bank Group, to organize a Digital Earth Partnership Technology Challenge focused on the measurement and analysis of extreme urban heat.
  • The challenge aims to improve our understanding of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect and its impact on East Asian communities.
  • "At Singapore Space & Technology, our mission, as an NGO, is to harness and advance space technologies to benefit communities and humanity.
  • The World Bank and Singapore Space & Technology will jointly evaluate the proposals and select the winning proposal to be implemented in collaboration with the World Bank.

Illumina Appoints Bob Ragusa as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GRAIL

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Friday, October 15, 2021
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SAN DIEGO, Oct. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) today announced that Bob Ragusa has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of GRAIL, a healthcare company whose mission is focused on multi-cancer early detection, effective immediately.

Key Points: 
  • SAN DIEGO, Oct. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) today announced that Bob Ragusa has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of GRAIL, a healthcare company whose mission is focused on multi-cancer early detection, effective immediately.
  • GRAIL currently operates as a separate and independent unit of Illumina.
  • Hans Bishop, who has been Chief Executive Officer since June 2019, has chosen to step down and will serve as Advisor to Bob Ragusa through the end of 2021.
  • As Illumina's Chief Operations Officer, he was responsible for significantly scaling the business to serve over seven thousand customers in more than 140 countries.