Promoters of peace and prosperity

The Belt and Road Initiative and the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity provide a pathway toward more inclusive, sustainable development

This year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's two landmark contributions to the advancement of global good, namely, the Belt and Road Initiative and the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity. These two concepts promoting peace and prosperity signify China's return as a world power.

In 1978, former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping made perhaps one of the most consequential decisions in the modern China history: open up the country and reengage with the outside world. In the decades that followed, China was integrated into the global economy, and in the process rebuilt itself into an economic powerhouse.

In 2013, President Xi launched the Belt and Road Initiative and presented the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity as China's perspective of an alternative world order.

The initiative and vision marked China's aspiration to play a greater role in shaping the world's destiny. After successfully rebuilding itself, China is now prepared to contribute to the development of the wider world. This reflects President Xi's style of leadership, one that exudes confidence and determination, not only to better China, but the global community at large.

The Belt and Road Initiative is widely recognized as a historic infrastructure initiative, on a scale never attempted by any other world power. There are various reasons and forces, internal and external that prompted China to embark on such an ambitious undertaking.

As a major economic power, China considers infrastructure as one way to forge closer connectivity, in order to facilitate commerce and investment, with its trading partners across the globe.

The eradication of extreme poverty in the country is one of China's key achievements, and a model for the world. And through the Belt and Road Initiative, China can help countries to develop and to industrialize, and to generate opportunities for those lacking social-economic mobility.

This brings us to the vision that underpins the Belt and Road Initiative endeavor: the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity. The vision shapes China's conception of a new international order based on mutually beneficial relationships. It extols the universal values of integrity and equity, and seeks to enhance security and promote economic growth through dialogue and cooperation.

China's aim is to realize inclusive and sustainable development that advances the common good. This may be seen as the internationalization of the Chinese Dream where through projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the well-being and aspirations of humankind can be enhanced and achieved.

In January, Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim introduced a new slogan for the country: MADANI. The Malay-language slogan conceptualizes six core principles to guide Malaysia's future developments: sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion.

In many ways, the MADANI principles resonate with a community with a shared future for humanity. Both seek to actualize holistic, sustainable development that will benefit all, regardless of race, class and creed.

On that account, Malaysia and China can work together to realize our respective MADANI and a community with a shared future for humanity aspirations. With President Xi's emphasis on people-oriented development, and with projects such as the East Coast Rail Link, China's investment can help realize more equitable and balanced development in Malaysia. Such strategic cooperation will undoubtedly generate mutually beneficial outcomes for China and Malaysia.

As it enters its second decade, challenges and opportunities await the initiative. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many projects to stall and fresh commitment is needed to regain the lost momentum.

There are of course exciting possibilities, with a shift toward high quality development, the Belt and Road Initiative is likely to increasingly move beyond bricks and mortals into the digital and virtual realm, and branch out into different streams, such as Health Silk Road, Green Belt and Road Initiative, and Digital Belt and Road Initiative, among others.

As the world undergoes major changes and faces unprecedented challenges, the Belt and Road Initiative and the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity can provide a pathway toward more dynamic growth and advancement. It is my hope that through such efforts, the 21st century will continue to make progress toward achieving greater stability and common prosperity.

The author is the president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association and former Malaysian ambassador to China. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily.