The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is presenting significant opportunities for the global expansion of China's green technologies, a former U.N. official said.
During an interview with Nanfang Plus on Oct. 17, ahead of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Erik Solheim, former executive director of the U.N. Environment Program, said that the BRI is emerging as a crucial driver of green development. China's overseas projects related to photovoltaic, wind, hydro, and hydrogen power are setting international standards and bringing green development opportunities for developing countries, he said.
Erik Solheim
Drawing from his own experience, Solheim mentioned the impressive transformation of road infrastructure in Sri Lanka. He recalled his time as the chief negotiator for Sri Lanka's peace process, during which Sri Lankan tourism faced significant challenges due to poor road conditions. However, upon returning last year, he witnessed a remarkable facelift in the roads, greatly benefiting local communities and the economy. "This transformation has been pivotal for the local population and economy, as Sri Lanka heavily relies on tourism," Solheim said.
This is just one example of the numerous projects connecting countries within the BRI network. Solheim also highlighted the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway in Indonesia as an exemplary instance of how green infrastructure development can positively impact local communities. He expressed hope that these collaborative projects will have enduring effects, facilitating easier and more efficient travel and trade connections between countries. "In the future, it will be possible to go from Singapore to Beijing in just 24 hours," Solheim added.
A staffer welcomes travelers on a platform the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway in Jarkata, Indonesia, on Tueday. Xinhua
Solheim, who has visited Guangdong Province many times, said that the BRI provides great opportunities for enterprises like Tencent, Huawei, DJI, and BYD. "BYD has just announced the construction of its new production facilities in Brazil, including a plant for electric and hybrid cars. This development is a significant boon for Brazil, as Chinese enterprises leverage their technology to enhance the efficiency of green energy solutions," he said.
In northeastern Brazil, a wind power station funded by Shenzhen-based China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) has been generating 720 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, illuminating the homes of 430,000 Brazilian households with clean and green energy.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China has formed partnerships for green development with 31 countries and established the BRI Green Development Coalition with over 150 cooperation partners from home and abroad.
"The goals of the BRI align with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, offering the potential to lift millions of people out of poverty and create numerous opportunities. Investing in green energy is a pivotal step toward achieving sustainable development," Solheim said.