China urges cooperation on global infrastructure initiatives

ISTANBUL

China urged cooperation on global infrastructure initiatives on Tuesday as the US moved to announce its global mega-infrastructure program, Build Back Better World (BBBW).

“We believe that there is wide room for global infrastructure cooperation and various initiatives don't have to counter or replace each other,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin responded when asked if BBBW was seen as a counter to China’s multitrillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Wang said different countries should work to build “rather than tear down bridges, promote connectivity rather than decoupling, seek mutual benefits and win-win results rather than isolation and exclusiveness.”

The administration of US President Joe Biden’s global infrastructure program could be announced as early as January.

“We hope the US will take concrete actions to earnestly boost common development and revitalization of all,” Wang added.

At least 139 countries have joined the BRI.

Wang said the BRI has “followed the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits and the philosophy of open, green and clean cooperation and high-standard, people-centered development,” since launching eight years ago.

"The BRI has become the largest cooperation platform,” said Wang.