The White Paper published by the Information Office of the State Council of China on Friday, November 29, 2024, focuses on “Transportation for Sustainable Development”. China has made notable achievements in the construction of rural roads, with increased overall length, higher technical standards and better accessibility. According to the White Paper, China has built paved roads in rural tourism centers, industrial parks, resource and mineral reserves, as well as economic growth points, making it easier to travel to remote areas, especially to mountainous areas.[1]
The White Paper is a document consisting of official reports explaining the Chinese government’s official stance and policies on certain issues. Through this document, China’s political goals and national interests are presented to both the public and the international community. The latest White Paper report emphasizes the development of rural roads and their importance in economic, social and cultural development. Moreover, the welfare level of the rural population and the work carried out within the framework of these policies set an example for other developing countries.
According to the White Paper, China’s highway standards have been applied in dozens of countries and hundreds of projects around the world, including Indonesia’s Surabaya-Madura Bridge Project and Mozambique’s Maputo-Katembe Bridge Project. Besides, as a platform for cooperation and exchange, China has established the Global Sustainable Transportation Innovation and Knowledge Center to share China’s experience in rural road development with the international community.[2]
Helping to facilitate economic development and trade, highways have accelerated production and distribution processes, strengthened commercial ties between rural and urban areas, and contributed to creating a balance. Moreover, taking action to share knowledge and experience in this process has enabled the launch of various platforms in terms of transportation, as well as China’s leadership and active role regarding technology and engineering know-how in this field.
China also shared its experience through international training sessions. The White Paper noted that the country organized 28 training sessions, including a training program on road design and management in Botswana and an advanced training program on highway engineering for countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has supported and participated in rural road construction projects and provided support to numerous rural road infrastructure projects in other developing countries. According to the White Paper, since 2018, China has supported 24 developing countries, including Cambodia, Serbia, Rwanda, Namibia, Vanuatu and Niger, with highway and bridge construction and maintenance, helping them to improve their transportation infrastructure.[3]
The development of transportation infrastructures has increased local investments, prevented migration to urban areas and played an important role in maintaining the population of rural areas. This has also facilitated access to services and markets for people living in rural areas. Regional development has improved the living standards of these populations. Balancing migration has been beneficial in terms of preserving demographic and cultural integrity. In other words, both economic and social integrity and sustainable development have been achieved by balancing regional inequality.
As for BRI, the development of highways has facilitated international trade by increasing regional integration and strengthened connections in the region. Regarding land-based trade, the development of highways has been effective in reducing costs by accelerating the transportation of goods, creating alternative transportation routes to maritime routes and gaining strategic importance of trade corridors. This will increase the trade volume of the BRI countries with China and ensure regional and global integration on the basis of logistics infrastructure. Furthermore, increased highway activity will open up new business opportunities in sectors such as transportation and tourism, providing employment opportunities. Thus, China will have a strategic impact from economic growth to social development.
To conclude, according to the White Paper on the development of highways in China, not only rural areas but also many other regions have benefited from these developments in terms of transportation, logistics and trade. China has used highway projects as a strategic tool for sustainable development, thereby increasing its trade capacity and enhancing its power in international trade.
In terms of BRI, these roads have made multidimensional contributions such as increasing trade between countries and supporting sustainable development. Also, aligning with BRI goals, the strategic importance of highways in regional integration, economic and social development has been prioritized, and China’s effectiveness in global trade networks has been emphasized.
The development of rural highways, highlighted in the White Paper, has contributed to China’s economic and social development and played an important role in the development of the BRI and the Asia-Pacific region. This progress has strengthened ties between rural and urban areas, created a balance and had a global impact. The outcomes of China’s highway initiatives have not only set an example for many countries in the Asia-Pacific and BRI, but have also strengthened ties in the cultural sphere by increasing interaction between countries.
[1] “China makes notable achievements in rural road construction: white paper”, Xinhua News, https://english.news.cn/20241129/ad97efc8e1bc49d1b79d62a49eaaed37/c.html, (Date of Access: 30.11.2024).
[2] “China contributes to rural transport in other developing countries: white paper”, Xinhua News, https://english.news.cn/20241129/7d7ea0badae941cf8f1dd56487ff878c/c.html, (Date of Access: 30.11.2024).
[3] Ibid.
