ASEAN Ministers boost Belt and Road
Southeast Asia is ready to open more commercial doors to the Chinese government’s Belt and Road program, following a meeting of transport ministers from China and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Belt and Road, a trade and infrastructure construction initiative that’s been a major boost for breakbulk cargo traffic between China and dozens of countries in Asia and Africa, took center stage at the 15th ASEAN and China Transport Ministers meeting Nov. 17 in Manila. Transport ministers revised a previously signed Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation. The new plan “aligns with ASEAN’s goals and actions … and China’s vision of Belt and Road,” according to a joint ministerial statement released after the meeting. “The strategic plan serves as an important guide for prioritization, investment programming and funds mobilization for seven, key ASEAN-China transport corridors,” according to the statement.
