Italy has decided to withdraw from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) after being the only Group of Seven (G7) nation to join the project for over four years.
In a recent letter to Beijing, Rome officially conveyed its decision, putting an end to months of uncertainty surrounding Italy’s participation in the ambitious initiative, according to reports from news agencies Reuters and AFP on Wednesday.
The Belt and Road plan aims to make significant investments in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and ports, to revive the ancient Silk Road trade routes connecting Europe and Asia.
Critics argue that the scheme serves as a means for Beijing to expand its geopolitical influence, potentially burdening less affluent nations with unsustainable debts.
“Although we are no longer part of the Belt and Road Initiative, we remain committed to maintaining excellent relations with China,” stated a source from the Italian government.
“Other G7 nations, despite never being involved in the BRI, have closer ties with China than we do,” the source added.
Article from www.aljazeera.com