China pledged greater cooperation with American and European companies on Belt and Road ventures, in its latest bid to counter criticism that President Xi Jinping’s initiative is focused on projecting Beijing’s influence at the expense of host countries.
China wants to combine its manufacturing and construction know-how with the advanced technology of Western firms on the global trade-and-infrastructure program, said Zhou Xiaofei, deputy secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission. Projects could also benefit from partnerships with U.S. and European enterprises on professional services, management and financing, Zhou said Thursday.
