Editor's note: Wang Yiwei is vice president of the Academy of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and also director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China. The article reflects the author's opinions on the idea and not necessarily those of CGTN.
August 17, 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the first Symposium on Advancing the Development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) held in China. Over the past decade, four successive national-level symposiums have established phased strategic priorities, guiding the BRI from an ambitious vision into a mature, institution-based framework for global cooperation.
Launched in 2013 as an initiative centered on infrastructure connectivity, the BRI has continuously evolved. It has moved beyond traditional infrastructure investment toward a broader model of high-quality cooperation that integrates livelihood improvement, institutional coordination, green development, digital transformation and multilateral governance.
Recent research covering nearly 200 economies has delivered a compelling empirical verdict: rather than creating so‑called "debt traps," BRI participation has on average reduced sovereign debt pressure and curbed corruption risks for partner nations. The long‑circulated "debt‑trap diplomacy" narrative is largely a geopolitical construct, often detached from real‑world project outcomes and debt restructuring cases.