Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRF in Beijing, April 26, 2019. （Xinhua Photo)
Editor's Note: Adam Garrie is director of the UK-based global policy and analysis think tank Eurasia Future and co-host of a talk show "The History Boys." The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
While it is crucial to highlight the challenges and opportunities facing the world today, it is all the more important to develop solutions to these shared challenges while offering new avenues of opportunity to peoples across all continents.
During his keynote speechat the opening of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping made it clear that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)can offer countries at all stages of their development a clear and flexible path towards an elevated material condition.
In his speech, Xi articulated the importance of designing, delivering and maintaining sustainable high-quality infrastructure in BRI partner nations. The surest way to secure an improved economic future for any developing country is for such countries to actively pursue the creation of a modern infrastructure which can act as the primary conduit for sustainable future economic growth.
As such, in order to become increasingly independent in terms of generating revenue, a solid infrastructural base is necessary as the first step in any developmental roadmap.
Xi stated that in addition to high-quality infrastructure that can serve as a sustainable foundation for future growth, such infrastructure should be constructed using modern environmentally-sound methods so that highways of international connectivity can be green in terms of their environmental impact.
Xi further explained to his audience of world leaders, dignitaries and business operators that a solid infrastructural background must be well suited to create long term employment for local people in all BRI partner countries while the proceeds of economic development should be used to strengthen a people-centered approach to high-quality development.
