A Thai expert says the Belt and Road Initiative offers new development methods to other countries as it was put forward by China based on China's experience of development in the past 40 years.
Gen. Surasit Thanadtang, director of the Thai-Chinese Strategic Research Center, National Research Council of Thailand, shared his opinions while receiving interview with Xinhua.
SURASIT THANADTANG, director of the Thai-Chinese Strategic Research Center, National Research Council of Thailand
"The Belt and Road Initiative is internationally important, which has great significance to the world development. It shows another way to the world’s development. We could say it's a new or alternative development method that is based on national and regional conditions. In my opinion, it involves a lot of thoughts. For example, in buddhist philosophy, small is beautiful, or from the sustainable development perspective, such as development of happiness. BRI provides us with a new way of development. It's not based on previous or existing theories of development. More importantly, it's recognized by international organizations. It has been accepted and adopted by the United Nations. And has become one of the UN's sustainable development goals."
The expert described the BRI as a stage for countries participating in BRI cooperation to communicate and to exchange.
SURASIT THANADTANG, director of the Thai-Chinese Strategic Research Center, National Research Council of Thailand
"Speaking of the impact of BRI on Thailand, it offers us a new platform of extensive consultation, joint development and shared benefits. The five cooperation priorities proposed by BRI, namely policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and relationship of culture and people, are in line with Thailand's national development strategy, including our 20-year National Strategy. It focuses on innovation and the progress of science and technology. Is the emphasis on technology just beginning? NO! Many countries have taken it seriously. The new round of technology progress is disruptive technology. China has proposed a lot of disruptive technologies. This also requires Thailand to get ready as soon as possible."
Surasit also described the BRI as a fruit of the Eastern civilization, which emphasizes "virtue" and conveys China's experience of dealing with poverty, social disparity and education to the other countries.
SURASIT THANADTANG, director of the Thai-Chinese Strategic Research Center, National Research Council of Thailand
"If I have to say something about my expectations of BRI, I hope it will be stable and sustainable, and serves as a platform for exchanges in our community of shared future. I really like the BRI principle of extensive consultation, joint development and shared benefits. Without extensive consultation, we can't understand each other."
Surasit, who is going to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation due to be held in Beijing from April 25 to 27, said he expected the BRI to inspire people around the world to work together to make our world a better place.
