STORY: BRI transformed into cooperation network over past decade: Turkish experts
DATELINE: Oct. 21, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:34
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing
2. various of BRI projects
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies
4. various of BRI projects
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): GULRU GEZER, Former Turkish diplomat and foreign policy analyst
6. various of BRI projects

STORYLINE:

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has grown into an extensive cooperation network over the past 10 years, Turkish experts said.

China has signed more than 230 BRI cooperation agreements with more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations. 

These agreements yielded a number of signature projects and many small-scale yet impactful projects.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies
"When we analyze the developments in the past decade, the BRI has turned from a project to implementation and building a network of cooperation.
It has become a web of cooperation -- from economic cooperation to cooperation in other areas. It has become a hub of cooperation.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): GULRU GEZER, Former Turkish diplomat and foreign policy analyst
"Over the (past) 10 years globally, several huge infrastructure projects have been already developed, and certain initiatives have been taking place.
When we talk about the BRI, it's not a single initiative. It has many other areas of cooperation, bilateral with China as well. I think the BRI has been an important tool in financing projects in developing and underdeveloped countries."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)