COVID-19 broke out across continents for more than a year. The world is working hard toward economic recovery and the good news is that many countries have made some achievements in combating against the pandemic. In 2021, economic recovery and sustainable development are on the top of the agenda among governments, companies and institutions around the world. The notions of anti-globalization and unilateralism are spreading. Nonetheless, the global health emergency taught everyone to be vigilant in upholding multilateral cooperation in the fields of medical, new energy, environmental protection, digital economy, etc.

The BRI has been launched for eight years and China constantly supports development of multilateralism aligning with the principles of “joint discussion, joint contribution and shared benefits”. Despite the pandemic last year, China made marked progress in several multilateral cooperation mechanisms, such as the RCEP signed in November 2020 and the Belt and Road Cooperation Roadmap signed with the African Union (AU) in December 2020 – which was the first B&R document being signed with a regional international organization. The agreement with the AU included cooperation areas and major projects in addition to a timetable and roadmap. The CAI was agreed in principle in December 2020. The Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific has been effective since February 2021 for increased trade facilitation, efficiency and transparency of international trade in line with the mega trend of green development. China is working on negotiation with regard to the China-Japan-Korea Free Trade Zone and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Zone, as well as is working on study on joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).