“This year’s joint statement — released after Xi chaired a round table with participating leaders — repeatedly called for “high-quality” projects and standards. The 2017 communique didn’t use the phrase. The document also encouraged developed nations to invest in “connectivity projects” in developing countries, and said cooperation “will be open, green and clean.”

“’International lenders will not invest in a project that has not been de-risked or is not financially viable,’ said Daniel Russel, vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute. ‘China’s challenge now is to demonstrate that the forum’s lofty rhetoric about ‘Green BRI’ and ‘Clean BRI’ has been translated into action throughout the Belt and Road…'”

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