“During his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed all aspects of BRI's past achievements, present status, and future priorities.”

Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, the Executive Director at the Center for South Asia & International Studies (CSAIS) in Islamabad, Pakistan, and a Regional Expert on Azerbaijan, BRI, CPEC, and China, provided insights to Ednews regarding President Xi's speech.

President Xi emphasized that China's modernization efforts are not pursued in isolation; rather, China is committed to contributing to the modernization of all nations worldwide. Notably, recent discussions between Azerbaijan and China have centered on collaboration in green energy projects.

Dr. Khan commended President Xi's speech as constructive, positive, and productive, conveying a message of hope for a brighter future through international cooperation, economic globalization, openness, inclusiveness, modernization, and qualitative industrialization across member countries and the rest of the world. The speech highlighted the significant experience in achieving the success of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China's commitment to supporting it.

"The core foundations of the BRI over the last decade, as articulated by President Xi, include principles of consultation, cooperation, shared benefits, openness, green and clean development, high standards, and sustainability. These guiding principles are expected to play a vital role in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

China has pledged substantial financing support for Belt and Road projects through the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China. Moreover, the Silk Road Fund will increase funds to further support these projects through market-oriented and commercial methods. During the Belt and Road Forum CEO Forum, agreements were reached on $97.2 billion in project cooperation. Additionally, China will implement small livelihood assistance projects, enhance vocational education cooperation, and bolster security guarantees for Belt and Road projects and personnel."

"President Xi also announced China's commitment to deepening cooperation in green infrastructure, green energy, green transportation, and other fields. This includes support for the Belt and Road International Alliance for Green Development, green innovation conferences, and the establishment of dialogue and exchange mechanisms for the photovoltaic industry. China aims to implement Belt and Road Green Investment Principles and provide training for partner countries", - the expert added.

Dr. Khan emphasized Azerbaijan's unique and integrated role in the BRI, largely due to its visionary leadership in the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and Eurasian regions. Azerbaijan and China have celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations, with Azerbaijan providing strong support for the BRI. The two countries are actively cooperating in various sectors of the economy, including oil production, information and communications, construction, and building materials, among others:

"A significant development is the Zangezur Corridor, which will serve as a crucial link on the new Silk Road, offering a shorter and more convenient alternative route for transporting goods from China to the West. Both countries are collaborating closely in the transport and logistics sector, facilitating container transportation from China to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.

Azerbaijan is attracting Chinese investments in various areas, such as green living, green energy production, hydro-power generation, smart living, production of renewables (solar and wind), organic agriculture, and more. Joint ventures in combating climate change are also being explored, making Azerbaijan an attractive destination for foreign direct investments (FDIs) and foreign portfolio investments (FPIs)."

"The ongoing BRI projects in Azerbaijan may encompass cooperation in smart technologies, AI, science and technology, software houses, e-commerce, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), micro-financing, production of lithium batteries, and blue and green hydrogen energy projects, especially in newly liberated areas. These collaborations aim to enhance economic development and sustainability", Dr.Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan concluded.

Ulviyya Shahin