The China Construction Industry Association, which represents the country's construction and engineering companies, is touting Xi Jinping's ambitious Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road international infrastructure programs, which the government calls the "One Belt, One Road" initiative.
The CCIA replied to ENR's questions through email.
ENR: Centuries ago traders established the Silk Road to move Chinese goods to the rest of the world. Please tells us about the new Silk Road.
CCIA: The One Belt, One Road program is a strategic and multi-layered initiative to establish an interconnecting network of infrastructure facilities across three continents, Asia, Africa and Europe, both by land and sea.
There are a lot of gaps in infrastructure linkages across this vast region. China will work with different countries to construct the international road, join the missing sections, get rid of road bottlenecks to ensure better access,promote construction and expansion of ports and create new waterways. It is a tremendously big business opportunity for everyone concerned.
China has a clear edge in road and port construction both in terms of machinery and project implementation capabilities. It is willing and ready to engage different countries in this effort.
Do you think project finance will get easier because of the $40-billion Silk Road Fund and $100-billion Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank?
CCIA: Making funds available is a crucial aspect of the program. The new institutions will not only provide loan support, they will also participate in the equity along with banks in different countries.
Getting several countries to participate and work together on one program is a difficult objective to achieve. How will you achieve cooperation?