The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) addresses the unbalanced development in the world, as noted by Luan Jianzhang at the 28th Wanshou Forum, held in Beijing's Tsinghua University on April 27.

Luan, an international relations expert, serves as the director general of the Research Office of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

During an interview with China.org.cn, Luan pointed out of all the problems the old type of globalization brought with it, unbalanced development is the most severe one, and the global governance system established after World War II was responsible for that.

According to Luan, globalization is about letting the market play a decisive role, while global governance is about governments and institutions exerting appropriate control. Only when a balance between the two is achieved will the global economy be set on a sound track and a balanced global development be possible. The BRI is the key to that balance.

Since its inception in 2013, the BRI has become an open and inclusive platform involving 126 countries and 29 international organizations, which have signed cooperation documents with China.

Under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, participants of the BRI have provided new impetus for global economic growth and opened new space for global development, said Luan.

The latest studies by the World Bank and other international institutions suggest that the BRI cooperation will cut the cost of global trade by 1.1 to 2.2% and that of trade along the China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor by 10.2%. Moreover, it will contribute at least 0.1% of global growth in 2019.

However, Luan emphasized that, like all new initiatives, especially when involving countries with different histories, cultures, political systems and development paths, the BRI needs time to be understood, make achievements, and adapt to changes.

He also stressed that "joint contribution" is crucial to the success of the BRI. It is true that China proposed the BRI, but the initiative belongs to the world. Only through the joint efforts of all participants can the blueprint become a reality; "China alone can't make it."

Madhav Kumar Nepal, former prime minister of Nepal, also expressed this concern at the forum, saying that "united we stand; divided we fall."

Norma Fidelia Guevara, deputy secretary general of Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front of EI Salvador, earlier stated that the BRI got the participating countries together, and this kind of integration would make them stronger and help them solve the problems caused by unbalanced global development.

According to Luan, the world is seeing a growing consensus that the BRI is a new model for multilateralism, and he is confident that more and more countries will join the BRI.

This was echoed by Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah, former president of the House of Councilors of Morocco. He said he believed that a new order that is more inclusive, more cooperative, more integrated, and more humane would be established based on the BRI.

Juan Marsa, vice minister of International Relations Department of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, told China.org.cn that as a BRI participant, Cuba would promote the initiative further to other Latin American countries because it will definitely improve their people's livelihood.

Presented in the wake of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the 28th Wanshou Forum invited politicians, scholars, and business leaders from across the world to discuss the new type of globalization and global governance in a changing world.

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