Win-win game
Kheshti Mostafa from Iran, a PhD student of Electrical Engineering of the Xi'an Jiaotong University (Jiaoda), also felt the changes the B&R initiative has brought.
"The initiative is not only for the business sector, but also for science and technology," Mostafa told the Global Times, citing that Jiaoda has cooperated with more than 100 universities along the Belt and Road routes and invited scientists to travel around to discuss the latest academic findings.
While studying in Jiaoda, he had opportunities to meet companies relevant to his major and got to know what China's capabilities in technology are, especially in renewable technology.
"I will introduce this technology to other countries, especially to my own country, to begin some projects. We need renewable technology to build power plants, wind farms or solar plants," he said.
In recent years, he felt that more Iranians are coming to study in China, and he thinks the trend was partly because of the B&R initiative. "They either continue to study here or return homeland to work, and become cultural bridge of the two countries," he said.
Mostafa was recently appointed Jiaoda's Honorary International Student Ambassador and the university also offered him a job to teach in the international school after he graduates in July.
He believes the initiative is a win-win game. "It is an initiative to bring countries closer to each other and that is what I understand. And this is a good opportunity to make our countries as a family to help each other. It's a perfect partnership, just like developing yourself while developing others," he said.
Raturi agrees. He has hired many Chinese employees. In addition, he insists to use 30 percent of his earnings into charity work both back in his hometown and in China. He donated to poor people, subsidized students and visited welfare houses.
"With the B&R initiative, there will be a boost in culture, exchanges, trade, employment and economy among the silk road countries," Raturi said. "We would like to contribute towards creating opportunities and cultural exchanges among both nations."
Bahekar also told the Global Times that in return for what he gained in China, he's planning to open a health center in India, promoting Traditional Chinese Medicine and culture to Indian people.
Calling for more actions
Mostafa said he will continue to improve his understanding of Chinese culture and language. Raturi has asked his wife and two children to move to China.
But they still hope the Chinese government can do more, such as relaxing visa policies.
"We have many employees from India whose visa applications are getting delayed. The Chinese government should be more flexible and simply the process. They should also issue long-term visas, like three or more years, such as the ones Japan and Korea are issuing," Raturi suggested.
Out of more than 100 employees in his restaurants, 38 are Indians.
Mostafa hopes that Chinese government can make it easier for them to renew visa and provide different visa packages to people who would like to do long-term business or long-term work in China.
While people like Raturi has gained from the initiative, many still said it hasn't brought them any benefits.
"Not all participants will feel the change. The entrepreneurs will enjoy the benefits first. Besides, some businessmen and workers are still unaware that their products are actually exported through the channels built under the B&R initiative," said Chen Fengying, an expert at the Institute of World Economics Studies under the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.
She told the Global Times that China is actually building a platform and the country which makes better use of it can get more benefits.
So far, China has signed more than 40 contracts with countries and international organizations to jointly build the Belt and Road.
Chen said besides cooperative contracts, the construction of Chinese-built railways and ports in countries like Indonesia, Laos and Greece is also smoothly progressing. "Besides, China steps up trade parks buildings along the road. So far, more than 50 foreign trade parks have been built," Chen revealed.
"We stress that the Belt and Road is not a strategy, but a public products. We are the initial investors. With supplements of China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Silk Road Fund, the B&R initiative will become a new model for global management."
