China refutes US research report on Belt and Road Initiative

BEIJING - China on Wednesday refuted a US research group report on the Belt and Road Initiative, reiterating that the initiative aims to achieve win-win economic cooperation.

According to the Associated Press, after analyzing 15 Chinese-funded port projects, a research institute called C4ADS concluded that the projects were not driven by win-win economic development, but intended to expand China's "political influence and military presence."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying stressed at a daily press briefing that the Belt and Road Initiative is essentially about economic cooperation, and the core concept of the initiative is to promote common development by advancing connectivity in infrastructure and other fields.

The initiative has gained support from more than 100 countries and international organizations, with more than 80 of them signing cooperation agreements with China.

She noted this worldwide support would never have been impossible were the initiative not adapted to the trend of the times and beneficial to people of various countries.

The spokesperson emphasized that the initiative has been open and transparent, with all participants involved in consultations in both planning and project implementation.

"China has no geopolitical calculations, seeks no exclusionary blocs and imposes no business deals on others," she said.

"Belt and Road is a mutually beneficial and win-win initiative," Hua said, adding that it will allow other countries to share opportunities from China's development and help solve development problems facing the world.

"During the Belt and Road construction, the Chinese side sticks to market rules and takes all parties's interests and concerns into consideration," Hua said..

She added that a large number of relevant cooperation projects are being carried out, and they have bettered the local economy and benefited the local people.