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Belt and Road Initiative

Belt and Road Initiative
The initiative spearheaded by the Chinese government and endorsed by President Xi Jinping in late 2013 aims to improve trade and economic integration across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Chief Executive John Lee speaks at the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Hong Kong on Monday.
Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu addresses the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Hong Kong. Photo: Kit Lai
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong positioned as green gateway for belt and road firms: John Lee

‘In building a greener, more prosperous and sustainable future, Hong Kong is your reliable partner,’ the city’s leader says.

Qatar

Risky business? Chinese firm agrees to build rail tunnels in Qatar amid Iran war

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China-Latin America relations

Peru governor touts Chinese interest in port pitched as Chancay alternative

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Diplomacy

China’s top diplomat to visit Azerbaijan and Balkan countries to boost ties

Wang Yi’s four-nation tour comes amid Beijing’s push to shore up its trade corridors and geopolitical influence.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip will run from October 14 to 20. Photo: EPA
China’s private sector

ByteDance heads first SCMP Plus Going Global 100 ranking

Social media giant beats out Foxconn Industrial, Shein and BYD in new SCMP Plus ranking of China’s global champions.

Central Asia

How traditional Chinese medicine is shaping Kazakhstan’s health system

Partnership is latest move by Beijing to engage the resource-rich country amid expanded ties in energy, security, trade and infrastructure.

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Hong Kong economy

Letters | Tanzania could offer test of Hong Kong’s belt and road ambitions

Readers discuss the city’s role as a connector between capital and Belt and Road Initiative markets, the proliferation of online scams, and payment in renminbi.

Engineers from China and Tanzania at the construction site of a project to upgrade the Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania in July 2020. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

China urged to build ‘system’ to protect expanding overseas interests

Analysis calls for strategic shift, with more diplomatic engagement to reshape the rules and deeper security cooperation with other nations.

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China trade

Reporter’s notebook: can canal connection give a lift to economic backwater?

Apple tech specialist says it could make it easier for gadgets made in Vietnam to enter massive Chinese market.

China-Latin America relations

Panama auditor targets ex-port regulators, CK Hutchison’s subsidiary in canal probe

Anel Flores says additional material concerns ex-maritime authority board members, executives of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s subsidiary.

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Panamanian authorities seized Cristobal port in February 2026. Photo: AFP
Chinese offshore investment

Indonesia eyes China for massive 2,772km railway project – with caution

As Jakarta explores foreign backing for the Trans-Kalimantan railway, analysts say costly past ventures could shape any coming negotiations.

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Passengers take selfies in a carriage on the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway in Indonesia on October 17, 2023. Photo: Xinhua
Diplomacy

Opinion | What China really means when it says it’s being ‘strategic’

Rather than geopolitical manoeuvring or calculation, this diplomatic label aims to convey seriousness, patience and a willingness to work for mutual long-term benefit.

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Belt and Road 2026

Ancient Silk Road to modern Belt and Road: how Hong Kong bridges China and the Middle East

As the Middle East seeks economic diversification, Hong Kong acts as the financial gateway for investment.

China trade

Kazakhstan to launch QR payments with China, expanding yuan’s reach in retail

Planned launch follows existing cooperation between super apps Alipay and Kaspi.kz, letting travellers use home-country app at certain merchants without exchanging cash.

A man demonstrates in April how a QR code is used to make a retail payment with the Alipay app in Indonesia. Kazakhstan now plans to launch QR-code payments with China by the end of this year. Photo: Xinhua
Belt and Road 2026

Editorial | Hong Kong cements superconnector role with wave of belt and road deals

The city has become central to the Belt and Road Initiative’s evolution from infrastructure projects to digital and hi-tech connectivity.

Exhibitors showcase products and services across featured zones during the opening day of the 11th Belt and Road Summit at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on September 9. Photo: Karma Lo
Yuan

Investment surge in Central Asia drives calls for Chinese yuan use

Use of the currency can cut risks and costs for infrastructure firms active in the mineral-rich region, according to speakers on an investment panel.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong can become AI literacy hub, industry leaders say

City can also help build trustworthy AI, experts tell panel discussion co-organised by the SCMP at the Belt and Road Summit.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong, Kazakhstan sign MOU on transport lab, discuss low-altitude economy

Kazakh vice-minister Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev says his country envisions connecting mainland tech companies with Hong Kong financial tools.

Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev, Kazakhstan’s vice-minister of artificial intelligence and digital development, says he has discussed the low-altitude economy with Hong Kong counterparts. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong a ‘2-way springboard’ between mainland China and world: John Lee

Speaking at Belt and Road Summit, chief executive says city is taking structured approach to new markets in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Central Asia.

Hong Kong

Letters | Belt and Road Initiative is more than a trade and investment platform

Readers discuss how far the belt and road framework has come, the use of AI in official translations, and the start of the school year.

Belt and Road 2026

Why Central Asia is turning to China for its renewable energy revolution

The Belt and Road Initiative, with its massive investments in wind, solar and nuclear power, is quietly reshaping the region’s energy future.

For now, Central Asia relies heavily on natural gas but increasingly large sums are being spent on developing sources of clean energy. Photo: AP
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | For Hong Kong and Central Asia, the real work lies ahead

Building on the success of Chief Executive John Lee’s June trip, both sides must now build a durable commercial architecture.

A view of Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 29. Photo: Photothek via Getty Images
Special Reports

Hong Kong’s push to become the Belt and Road’s higher education hub

Tertiary institutions such as PolyU, EdUHK and HKUST are establishing lasting academic and industry partnerships across the world.

Special Reports

Hong Kong’s push for human infrastructure beyond ports and railways

Beyond physical trade routes, the city’s museums, universities and orchestras are cultivating the personal relationships needed to sustain international cooperation.

Central Asia

China rallies Central Asian police chiefs on terrorism threats, energy and trade

Security ministers from five nations back Beijing initiative targeting extremism, border order and telecoms fraud.

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Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong (third from right) attends the China-Central Asia ministerial conference on public security and internal affairs in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
Education in Hong Kong

Kazakhstan aims to become education hub, but experts say jobs must match skills

Experts on panel at SCMP’s China Conference: Central Asia 2026 say collaboration with Hong Kong and mainland universities is in the pipeline.

Nazarbayev University in Astana. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong economy

Kazakhstan, Hong Kong ‘can build biotech unicorns by linking talent and capital’

Top academic tells SCMP event there’s real opportunity to connect capital, ideas and state support across the two regions.

Hong Kong economy

How can Hong Kong, Central Asia build momentum on growing ties, go beyond MOUs?

Tourism, professional services, mining and digital infrastructure prospects discussed at SCMP’s China Conference: Central Asia 2026.

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