Research Update
19
AprThe Belt and Road Energy Partnership Ceremony is about to be unveiled soon in Beijing during the Belt and Road Forum 2019.
At this moment, Professor Xu Qinhua, Deputy Dean of National Academy of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China, would like to walk us through her talks with energy ministers of several BRI countries last October at the Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference hosted by the Chinese National Energy Administration in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, sharing their insights on BRI energy cooperation and expectations for the BRI energy partnership.
On Oct 18, 2018, China and 17 countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Pakistan, and Equatorial Guinea etc.) signed a Joint Declaration on Building the Belt and Road Energy Partnership at the first BRI Energy Ministerial Conference.
The BRI Energy Partnership serving as a cooperation platform
Prof. Xu interviewing Parviz Shahbazov, Energy Minister, Azerbaijan
Parviz Shahbazov: Azerbaijan expresses our support for the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Joint Declaration provides all countries and participants along the BRI route a platform for future cooperation. Azerbaijan has committed to enhancing infrastructure facility building all these years, thus we are pleased to attend the conference and have an in-depth discussion with other ministers of energy. As far as I am concerned, energy producers and consumers should strengthen cooperation so as to find out effective solutions for burning questions in energy industry, that’s why the BRI platform is so important.
BRI striving for improving people’s living standard
Prof. Xu interviewing Omar Ayub Khan, Minister for Power, Pakistan
Omar Ayub Khan: we must realize one important fact that Chinese invested projects help the participant countries improving the living standard of their people. As we offer people new technology, renewable energy and technical training, we are promoting the education level of the whole generation, which will make a great difference to the country’s future development. China has made huge progress in the world stage, other countries could learn from what China has done or is going to develop in science and technology. For China and Pakistan, I believe the priority of increasing economic cooperation between each other and with other countries is to diversify the trade of energy, goods and service, and create more jobs at the local community. When local people have a better life, they intend to have a higher level of opening-up.
BRI is an initiative that benefits all countries
Prof. Xu interviewing Santiago Mba Eneme Nsuga, Secretary of Ministry of Mine, Equatorial Guinea
Santiago Mba Eneme Nsuga: BRI is a great project as it on one hand drives forward global energy development, on the other hand, advocates new energy across the region so that we can better protect our ecological environment. BRI is an initiative that will benefit all countries. In building an energy partnership, we will meet many challenges and difficulties ahead. With differences between developed and less-developed countries, how can we reach a balance in sustainable energy development? For instance, by means of transfer of technology. The core is to achieve mutual benefit and win-win among different countries in global energy development.
The building of BRI Energy Partnership is of far-reaching significance
Prof. Xu interviewing U Win Khaing, Union Minister for Electricity and Energy, Myanmar
U Win Khaing: the BRI upholding the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits enables all the participants to share each other’s development ideas and benefits, it’s not just about Chinese development. At this conference, ministers of energy from different countries gathered together and shared their insights on and knowledge of the energy sector, we are all satisfied with this meaningful event. Most importantly, BRI participants all come to realize the significance of developing sustainable energy and clean energy to fighting climate change.