Infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have improved inter-regional connectivity and stimulated sustainable growth of local economies, said transport officials attending the Global Forum on Sustainable Transport in Beijing on Monday, 25 September.

Hosted by China’s Ministry of Transport, the forum on “Sustainable Transport: working together to promote global development” has attracted more than 1,000 guests, including transport officials, experts, academics and entrepreneurs from around the world. They will exchange views on major issues such as enhancing connectivity in the digital age, green and low-carbon transformation, innovation-driven development and global governance.

“Creating a sustainable transport system that is safe, convenient, environmentally friendly and efficient is an objective choice that is in line with the law of transport development. Implementing the concept of green development, actively responding to climate change, and promoting the harmonious coexistence of transport and nature are also powerful pillars for quality growth,” Liu Xin, director of the Institute of Transport Planning and Research under China’s Ministry of Transport, told CCTV+, a partner of TV BRICS.

According to the ministry, China has established the world’s largest high-speed railway network, motorway network, postal and express delivery network, and world-class port clusters.

China is also actively involved in building transport infrastructure in many other countries around the world, especially those along the Belt and Road, offering solutions to improve travel accessibility for local people and the efficiency of logistics services, said the ministry.

On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the first Global Forum on Sustainable Transport. Xi pledged to contribute to realising the Global Development Initiative, achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

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