With G20 presidency, country aims to push for more action on climate change Indonesia has flagged its strong commitment to curbing emissions, with its plans to reduce reliance on fossil fuels likely to resonate with fellow members of the G20 group of nations at a summit in Bali where climate action is expected to be high on the agenda. Upon Indonesia taking over the G20 presidency late last year, President Joko Widodo vowed “inclusive, people-oriented, environmentally friendly and sustainable growth” for his country, the largest in Southeast Asia. He spoke of Indonesia becoming a driving force for collaboration on efforts … Continue reading Indonesia champions shift to clean energy

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway, which has been in the planning stage for two decades, has finally received the go-ahead. When completed, the railway will be the shortest route to transport goods from China to Europe and the Middle East, cutting the freight journey by 900 kilometers and saving seven to eight days in shipping time. The project to connect the three countries by railway goes back to 1997 and thus predates the Belt and Rod Initiative. The project did not proceed at that time in part due to internal political instability in Kyrgyzstan between 2005 and 2010. However, after the … Continue reading China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan BRI rail project – construction to start in 2023

Montenegro’s Chinese-built priority section of the Bar–Boljare Highway was ceremonially opened on Wednesday’s (13 July 2022) Statehood Day celebration near the capital of Podgorica. The Bar–Boljare Highway will connect Montenegro’s more developed south with its underdeveloped north, and forms part of the envisioned Corridor XI linking Montenegro with Italy, Serbia, and Romania. A public call for tenders by the Montenegro Government in 2008 to build a priority section of the highway failed to move the plan forward. The project began moving only in 2014, when the Montenegro Government agreed on a credit arrangement with the Export–Import Bank of China (China … Continue reading Montenegro opens Chinese-built priority section of Bar–Boljare Highway

Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is a key venture of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Malaysia. The project is primarily funded by a loan from China’s state-owned Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. Given Malaysia’s close economic relationship with China, which is its largest trade partner, the country has appeared as a BRI focal point. The rail line is scheduled to commence operation by 2027. BRI Monitor The construction of the 655-kilometer ECRL project, undertaken by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), has been progressing steadily, with 30 percent of the work completed by May. Excavation work has also commenced on the … Continue reading Chinese-constructed mega railway in Malaysia 30% completed