Published : 01/03/2024
Since its proposal in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has now marked its 10th anniversary. From a blueprint to today's reality, the BRI has manifested into tangible development for various countries and welfare for the people.
This article introduces the development of the Digital Silk Road (DSR), part of the BRI and exploring how to build a global DSR with a "Chinese solution".
Digital Silk Road: 7 years of broad cooperation
As an important means of modernising the ancient Silk Road, the Digital Silk Road (DSR) was first proposed at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2017.
It refers to promoting the development of digital economy in Belt and Road countries through cooperative mechanisms.
As a country with the second largest digital economy for many years in a row, China leads the world in terms of internet users, e-commerce transactions, mobile payment, and the development level of digital benefits.
Implementing a "Chinese solution" will help reduce the digital divide across different regions and promote developmental cooperation among Belt and Road countries in areas like digital infrastructure, e-commerce, cultural exchange, etc.
So far, China has signed Memorandums of Understanding with 17 countries and established bilateral e-commerce cooperation mechanisms with 30 countries.
What achievements have been made under these mechanisms?
70% of Africa's 4G networks built by Chinese companies
First off is digital infrastructure. As the Chinese saying goes, building the road is the first step to become prosperous.
To develop a digital economy, constructing digital infrastructure, including network base stations, optical cables, and data centres, is a must.
In Africa, where developing countries are concentrated, China has assisted local communities in building 150,000 km of communication backbone networks, covering nearly 700 million user terminals.
Statistics show that about 80% of 3G networks and 70% of 4G network infrastructure in Africa are invested and constructed by Chinese enterprises. The construction of 5G networks is also in progress.
In 2022, the various rest camps on Mount Kilimanjaro, the "Roof of Africa", were all connected to high-speed internet and Wi-Fi.
Residents and tourists can check weather and route information at any time during their ascent, greatly enhancing their sense of safety.
Furthermore, with the assistance of Chinese enterprises, the African nation of Botswana has established a national data centre in its capital, Gaborone.
After the establishment of the centre, the country no longer needs to exchange data through overseas data centres, greatly improving the efficiency of information retrieval and the internet experience of users.
Statistics show that over the past 10 years of the Belt and Road Initiative, China has constructed more than 25 sets of cross-border terrestrial cable systems worldwide, extensively built data centres and cloud computing centres, and upgraded traditional infrastructure such as ports, railways, and energy to digital.
These measures have laid a solid foundation for the development of the Digital Silk Road.
Read more: Belt&Road｜Achievements over past 10 years
Global partners of Silk Road e-commerce
China's mature e-commerce development is the country's largest industry in the digital economy era.
"Silk Road E-commerce" utilises China's advantages in e-commerce technology, innovative models, and market scale to expand economic and trade cooperation with Belt and Road countries.
To date, China has established bilateral e-commerce cooperation mechanisms with 30 countries on 5 continents, promoting one e-commerce cooperation project after another.
For example, the China-Africa cross-border parcel special line opened by Chinese enterprises can reduce the logistics time for Africa-China cross-border packages from 60 days to about 20 days, creating favourable logistics conditions for the development of African e-commerce platforms.
In 2016, a Chinese enterprise proposed the World Electronic Trade Platform (eWTP) initiative. Rwandan coffee beans, which previously targeted Europe and America as the main market, were exported to China for the first time through this platform.
By taking out intermediary companies through cross-border e-commerce, local coffee farmers earned an extra 50% per kg, improving their living conditions.
Statistics show that from 2013 to 2022, China's trade volume with countries co-building the Belt and Road expanded from 1.04 trillion USD to 2.07 trillion USD ; the scale of cross-border e-commerce goods imports and exports as a share of foreign trade increased from less than 1% to 5%.
In 2022, six of the top 10 countries in China's cross-border e-commerce exports were along the Belt and Road.
Read more: Belt&Road｜What is China-Europe Railway Express, the "Iron Camel Caravan"?
Expand cooperation in digital economy
In addition to infrastructure and e-commerce, the areas of digital cooperation in the "Belt and Road" are getting wider, covering aspects like environment, education, scientific research, intelligent life, etc.
In Ecuador, Chinese scientists simulate marine ecosystems through digital twin technology to provide data support for local marine ecological environment research.
In Egypt, smart classrooms are implemented, equipped with interactive screens, VR immersive high-tech teaching equipment, and AI teachers.
In South Africa, multifunctional digital wallets have become indispensable tools for people to transfer money, make payments, and collect money.
In Saudi Arabia, the construction of smart cities has pave the way for people to live conveniently.
Behind these digital scenarios, there are always the influence of Chinese technology.
In the past, the ancient Silk Road was the greatest trade route in history, serving as an important link between ancient China and the world.
Today, from the sound of camel bells to the shuttle of data, the Silk Road is being given new life, bringing real benefits to countries and regions along the route.
Read more: Belt&Road｜How does the Silk Road of Health benefit the world?