Written by Stefan van der Berg (Ministry leader dia-LOGOS)
Top executives from some of the most prominent American corporations are currently in China to assess the state of one of their key markets after the country lifted pandemic restrictions that had been in place for nearly three years. Among the notable figures present are Elon Musk from Tesla, Laxman Narasimhan from Starbucks, and Jamie Dimon from JPMorgan.
This gathering of CEOs in the second-largest economy in the world highlights China's significant role as a major market for numerous global companies. Additionally, China's strategic global perspective and active pursuit of its financial vision is exemplified by initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The BRI, announced by President Xi during official visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia in 2013, consists of the overland Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road, collectively known as the Belt and Road Initiative. This initiative, embraced by the Chinese government, aims to establish an interconnected network of infrastructure including roads, railways, and ports, spanning over 60 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The exact number of Chinese individuals involved in the BRI is uncertain, but estimates suggest it could be in the millions. Chinese workers are engaged in various aspects of the initiative, ranging from planning and construction to operation and maintenance, and they are employed by Chinese state-owned enterprises, private companies, and international organizations.
Viewed through a Christian lens, China, and the BRI bear significance for multiple factors:
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