The National Development and Reform Commission of China presented the regular progress of work under the Belt and Road Initiative.

(One Belt - One Road / Belt and Road / BRI) was launched in 2013. The National companies are participating in the projects for development of the China-Pakistan economic corridor, construction of lines connecting China with Laos and Thailand, Jakarta-Bandung high-speed highway, as well as in the implementation of the Hungary-Serbia railway project.

From January to June 2021, China’s trade with the countries and regions locating in the BRI corridors’ catchment area grew by 37.9% compared to the same period last year and reached $ 824.55 billion. Non-financial direct investment during this period increased by 18% and amounted to $ 9.58 billion. On the above projects, the volume of work was completed at a cost of $ 39.35 billion, which corresponds to an increase of 10.6%.

Freight trains connect China and Europe with 73 routes; during the period under review, they delivered goods to 168 cities in 23 European countries, completing 7377 train services. An increase in the number of departed trains has been recorded in Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhengzhou and Urumqi (photo: Xinhua News Agency).