Why in the News?

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Sri Lanka's newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, promising stronger cooperation through the BRI. Xi also expressed hopes for deepening the countries' partnership for mutual development.

Extent of BRI

About BRI

• It is a comprehensive development strategy focused on improving global connectivity and cooperation.
• Launched: 2013
• It aims to connect Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf, Africa, and Europe through land and sea routes.
• Originally called the 'One Belt, One Road', it was renamed BRI to reflect a more inclusive, global vision rather than a China-centric approach.
• The initiative comprises two main components: the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road.
• Routes of BRI:
  • Silk Road Economic Belt: Focuses on enhancing connectivity, infrastructure, and trade across Eurasia through a network of overland transport routes.
  • Maritime Silk Road: Centers on maritime cooperation, involving ports, shipping routes, and maritime infrastructure projects.
• Geographic Corridors: The land-based Silk Road Economic Belt envisions six key corridors for development:
  • China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
  • New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor.
  • China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor.
  • China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.
  • China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor.
  • China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.