By Soukthavy Thephavong

(KPL) The Belt and Road Initiative has played an important role in promoting economic growth, cooperation and people to people exchange between Asia and China as well as Europe.

"Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI, is very important to Thailand. My country is also part of BRI. Thai and Chinese engineers are constructing a new railway that will connect Bangkok with the northeastern part of Thailand, then with Laos, and eventually China. Once completed, it will help boost economic growth and tourism for Thailand,” said Mr Teeranai Charuvastra, a journalist of Khao Sod, a Thai daily.

"I hope BRI will better connect Thailand with China other Asian countries. I also hope the projects will be conducted in a transparent manner and in the best interest of Thai people," added Mr Teeranai Charuvastra.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government involving infrastructure development and investments in 152 countries and international organizations in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.

“BRI is very good to Indonesia because it helps Indonesia to develop, especially infrastructure. There are six projects funded by China in Indonesia. One of it is Jakarta-Bandung high speed train,” said Mr Deodatus Suksmo Pradipto, a journalist of Tribun Digital Online of Indonesia.

“Infrastructure is really helpful because it can develop our economy, also people in many ways. The more developed we are, the more powerful we are in the world stage. With infrastructure Indonesia can be great again like in the past time stage,” said Mr Deodatus Suksmo Pradipto.

KPL