By Wang Wei, Wang Qing and Li Hanqing, Research Team on “Building a Cooperative Network of Industrial Capacity for the ‘Belt and Road’Initiative”, DRC

Research Report, No.247, 2020 (Total 5991) 2020-10-20

Abstract: International industrial capacity cooperation is an important aspect in China’s efforts to advance the “Belt and Road” initiative. In recent years, the transport infrastructure interconnectivity between the countries and regions along the “Belt and Road” routes has made remarkable progress, and “soft interconnectivity” in terms of policies, rules and standards is also being enhanced with depth. Against the backdrop of escalated China-US trade frictions, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of trade protectionism, new requirements are needed in transport and logistics for the “Belt and Road” industrial capacity cooperation. To ensure further services for such cooperation, it is necessary to attach importance to meeting the actual needs of industrial cooperation. Specifically, the international logistics system needs to be improved by building a multi-functional network of passages for the “Belt and Road” initiative, developing hub economy, raising the level of transport capacity , strengthening the application of information technology and standardization of rules, exploring and innovating the blockchain application in logistics, and enhancing the port customs clearance efficiency and logistics performance. Besides, the global supply chain services and innovation need to be strengthened and resource allocation efficiency needs to be improved, so as to ensure the safety and stability of both industrial and supply chains.

Keywords: Belt and Road, industrial capacity cooperation, international logistics, global supply chains