Shanmugam – China’s BRI good for China and participating countries

Minister K Shanmugam: China a “world leader” and the BRI “the most ambitious project” in human history:
 
“The project was bold, imaginative and ambitious, and exemplifies the vision of a country that is currently the world leader in many aspects of infrastructure technology. China has also been very strategic in the way it has been investing, linking up with other countries and building relationships, and its companies are prepared to take risks and invest in large infrastructure projects… the BRI is arguably the most ambitious infrastructure project in history with the potential to bring Eurasia, China and Southeast Asia even closer together… It’s in China’s interest – and ours too – that its rise to great power status, or even superpower status, is peaceful and is seen to be peaceful… The rise of China is likely to be the largest world economy in absolute terms, though not in per capita terms. Technologically and militarily, China will become a more significant player over the next 20 to 30 years.”.... “It must be acknowledged that the country has achieved results for its people over the last 35 years on a scale that no other country in history has – both in terms of the speed of progress and the number of people who have made the leap from poverty to prosperity. China has been showing its detractors are getting it wrong. Its success in the field of science and technology, contradict claims that its political system does not allow innovation.” thestatestimes.
 
Singapore has officially put it on record the importance of China’s BRI project that would benefit all the countries participating in the project as well as countries not wanting to participate, notably India, Japan and the USA. From the start China has kept the door open and invited every country to be part of the BRI. India, Japan and the USA refused to participate for political reasons. They knew how valuable is this peaceful economic initiative that would boost connectivity and trade between Asia, SE Asia and Europe.
 
These three countries are going to lose out due to their narrow mindedness and selfish political interests. India would be left out in the cold and be bypassed. Good riddance. Japan and the USA, both technology and engineering power house with many big companies that could participate in the massive infrastructure projects could kick their own asses for not wanting or be allowed to be part of the scheme of things by their respective govts. Now they too are left out in the cold and cursing their govts for playing the spoiler game.
 
It is good that these countries opted out themselves from the BRI and not be in to be trouble makers. China should just leave it that way, no need to bother to invite them in again. And if they wanted in, treat them the same way they treated China when the latter applied for membership to the IMF. Just keep them outside the door with all the barriers to let them have a taste of their own medicine.
 
The BRI would go ahead in full steam with or without India, Japan or the USA. Let it be and let them be. A good project that is beneficial to all countries would be beneficial to all that could see the benefits. There is no need to hard sell the project. The BRI sells by itself. Only the blind could not see how important is this BRI project. India, Japan and the USA would be the real losers for playing the bad guys.