Through institutional innovation, systematic planning and targeted policy implementation, China has managed to build a path for its rural road development that suits its national conditions. The experience gained in this process is now being shared with developing countries, where inadequate rural transportation is often a crucial factor that restrains economic and social development.

According to a white paper titled "China's Rural Roads in the New Era," recently issued by China's State Council Information Office, China has been providing technical standards for rural roads that are feasible and suitable to national conditions of countries in need. Since 2012, China has published 73 standards in English, French and Russian regarding the survey, design, construction, maintenance, quality inspection and evaluation of roads, bridges and tunnels.

Hundreds of projects in dozens of countries have applied China's road construction standards, including the Surabaya-Madura Bridge in Indonesia and the Maputo-Katembe Bridge in Mozambique. China has also signed a Five-year Action Plan (2023-2027) for Highway Technical Cooperation with Pakistan in 2023, and the latter can set standards for road engineering by adapting Chinese technologies and standards to its own situations.

By establishing cooperation platforms, engaging with international organizations, and conducting training, China spared no effort to share its experience in rural road development. To assist with this, conferences like the Second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference and Global Sustainable Transport Forum were held. In addition, the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Center was established under China's Ministry of Transport.

Meanwhile, China engages with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program, to share its extensive experience in developing rural roads, and raise awareness of rural road safety with other countries.

Furthermore, China has sent experts to the Technical Committee 2.2 Roads for Equity, Accessibility and Mobility in Rural and Interurban Areas of the World Road Association.

Training sessions of all kinds, such as road design and management, highway engineering, road network planning and technical personnel, have been held for over 800 people from developing countries, especially countries along the Belt and Road, in order to help them develop their own technical experts.

Apart from experience and skills sharing, China also vigorously supported the rural road projects of developing countries. Since 2018, China has offered support to 24 developing countries including Cambodia, Serbia, Rwanda, Namibia, Vanuatu and Niger in road and bridge construction and maintenance.

By participating in project construction and offering technical and human resources support, China has helped to optimize the local rural road infrastructure, which greatly cut the logistics costs and promoted the circulation and market entry of local farm products, contributing to poverty alleviation and wellbeing improvement of local people.

Upholding the idea of openness, cooperation and mutual benefit, China will continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation with other countries in rural road development, and dedicating to the global cause of rural road development and poverty alleviation.