One-fifth of Belt and Road projects 'seriously affected' by Covid-19: China

Over 100 countries have signed agreements with China to cooperate in BRI projects like railways, ports, highways and other infrastructure

About 20 per cent of projects under China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to link Asia, Europe and beyond have been "seriously affected" by the coronavirus pandemic, an official from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.

According to a survey by the ministry, about 40 per cent of projects have seen little adverse impact, and another 30-40% have been somewhat affected, said Wang Xiaolong, director-general of the ministry's International Economic Affairs Department, at a news briefing in Beijing.

"About 20 per cent percent of the projects have been seriously affected," he said. Wang did not give any details.

The results from the