According to Dai, China’s GDP is expected to expand at around 6 per cent in the next decade. That is exactly what the Belt and Road Initiative has been calling for, Sawada added. “The Belt and Road Initiative will play a big role in boosting Asian economic integration. Amid rising trade protectionism, he said the initiative’s call for openness, inclusiveness and the common destiny of a shared future will help advance multilateral trade and drive the overall development of Asia. Currently, trade inside Asean accounts for 30 per cent of Asean's overall trade volume.

Source: The Nation Bangkok April 19, 2018 11:15 UTC