A recent report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace examines the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative through the lens of eight experts from Southeast Asian countries.

At a press conference today, MOFCOM spokesperson Shu Jueting provided comments on export licensing for graphite, Italy's official withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative, the state visit to Vietnam, and November trade data.

During Chinese president Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam this week, the two nations signed 36 deals, ranging from infrastructure building to telecommunications and trade.

After many months of hints that it would do so, Italy has now told China that it plans to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

This week the Shanghai government released a detailed plan with 19 measures to establish a pilot zone for e-commerce. The project aims at creating "a highland for international cooperation in the digital economy", and plays "an important role in the high-quality development" of the China-led Belt

Colombian President Gustavo Petro just finished a state visit in China this week. In addition to establishing a strategic partnership through a joint statement, the two sides also signed 12 cooperation deals, including several to bolster bilateral trade and investment.

According to the Chinese government, more than 300 projects were signed or announced at the third Belt and Road (BRI) Forum last week, covering investment, construction and financing of ports, mining and new energy projects.