China's Xi hails $64 billion in new Belt and Road deals

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday that $64 billion (€57 billion) in infrastructure deals were signed at this week's Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.

Xi, who did not elaborate on the agreements in his closing remarks, said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would "enjoy higher quality and brighter prospects" as "more and more friends and partners" joined the China-led project.

BRI projects to build roads, bridges, pipelines and ports would focus on "open, clean and green development" and be based on market principles, he added.

Read more: In Italy, China's New Silk Road is not seen as a threat

China's expensive gambit

China has been trying to reinvigorate BRI after a slump in the number of new projects last year. The initiative, also known as the New Silk Road, aims to boost trade between China and the rest of Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.  

China's central bank chief, Yi Gang, said Thursday that Chinese banks have so far loaned some $440 billion for Belt and Road projects.

The total value of all BRI projects worldwide currently stands at $3.67 trillion, according to data from Refinitiv, a financial markets data provider.

Read more: Belt and Road Forum: Will China's 'digital Silk Road' lead to an authoritarian future?

The United States and some of its allies have warned that BRI increases China's global influence over low-income countries by offering them construction project loans they cannot repay. Sri Lanka handed over Hambantota port to China on a 99-year lease in 2017 after it failed to repay its debts.

China vowed this week to "prevent and resolve debt risks" by ensuring long-term financing sustainability in future BRI projects.

Read more: Sieren's China: Striking a balance on the New Silk Road

Popular project

The controversy has failed to stop new countries from joining the initiative. China said the number of countries that pledged to support BRI has increased from 65 to 115.

Italy shocked its European Union partners in March when it became the first member of the Group of Seven (G7), a group of rich countries, to sign on to the initiative. Switzerland has also showed interest in joining.

Xi said China needed to "encourage the full participation of more countries and companies."

"I have noted on many occasions that while the BRI was launched by China, its opportunities and outcomes are shared by the world," he said.

Read more: China tries to allay fears over Belt and Road policy

amp/xx (dpa, Reuters, AP)

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