Xi Jinping urges more countries to join new silk routes

Radio France International Economy and finance

April 27, 2019

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged on Saturday to reject protectionism, urging more countries to join their initiative of the new Silk Roads, the colossal infrastructure program.
Xi spoke to some 40 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, meeting in Beijing.

On the last day of the summit dedicated to new silk roads, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed at a round table his desire to build an open global economy and fight against protectionism. Plunged into a trade war with the United States of Donald Trump since last year, China seeks to become the leader of multilateral cooperation.

This initiative, officially called "The Land Belt and Sea Road" in Chinese, aims to build transport and energy infrastructure in countries of Asia, Europe and Africa. , clearly calling for the rejection of protectionism open opposition to the slogan "United States" first, led by Trump.

Launched in 2013 by Xi Jinping, this initiative is funded by investments or loans of hundreds of billions of euros. Its detractors consider that it mainly favors Chinese companies and constitutes a "debt trap" for recipient countries, also harming the environment.

Responding to criticism of the supposed opacity of some agreements signed as part of a project, Xi Jinping's chief called for a "zero tolerance" with corruption.

With AFP

Source