In rural Pakistan, solar panels assembled into home power and storage systems are changing everyday life. The systems not only provide electricity but also support agricultural irrigation, offering farmers a more reliable energy source.

In many parts of Pakistan, Chinese-made solar panels have even become a popular wedding gift. Decorated with red cloth and flowers, solar panels are sometimes displayed alongside wedding vehicles as a symbol of a practical household investment. The panels are often described as affordable, durable and capable of meeting regular families’s electricity and storage needs.

The growing popularity of such products reflects a broader transformation in Belt and Road cooperation. In the first seven months of 2026, China's exports of electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products to Belt and Road partner countries reached 482.24 billion yuan (about $71.85 billion), up 59.8% year on year, according to cinic.org.cn

From goods trade to technology partnerships

After 13 years of development, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is evolving from a network focused on trade connectivity into one centered on technological collaboration and industrial upgrading.

Increasingly, Chinese companies are exporting not only products, but also high-value solutions that help partner countries build their own industrial capabilities.

On August 28, 2026, an F-class 50-megawatt heavy-duty gas turbine, an advanced turbine used to generate electricity, began its journey from Deyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, to Kazakhstan. It marked the first overseas export of a fully domestically manufactured high-end heavy gas turbine from China.

Once completed, the project will become Kazakhstan's first gas-fired combined-cycle power plant and has been listed as a key project by the country's energy authorities.

In Malaysia, traditional rubber processing plants are being upgraded with Chinese artificial intelligence algorithms and industrial robots. The technology has reduced labor costs by 20 to 30% while improving production precision, with each 35-kilogram rubber block now produced with a weight difference of less than 20 grams.

Following the launch of the first upgraded production line in January 2025, the factory quickly moved ahead with upgrades for its second and third lines.

Beyond physical infrastructure, digital connectivity is becoming a new pillar of the BRI.

From smart ports and digital customs systems to cross-border electronic payments, the Digital Silk Road is reshaping how countries trade and interact, reducing transaction costs and improving efficiency.

By expanding digital infrastructure and services, the initiative is helping bridge the global digital divide and creating new opportunities for emerging economies to participate in the digital economy.

A two-way path toward shared growth

The BRI is also dispelling the misconception that cooperation is simply a one-way transfer from China to other countries. Instead, projects increasingly emphasize local participation, skills development and shared economic benefits.

Indonesia's Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway is one example. In the first half of 2026, the railway operated 10,640 train services, achieving an on-time rate of 99.4% and an overall passenger satisfaction score of 95.79.

During the project's operation, Chinese experts trained Indonesian employees through mentorship programs and hands-on practice, enabling local staff to independently handle key positions in passenger services and equipment maintenance.

Industrial cooperation zones have also become platforms for local growth. So far the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone has attracted more than 200 companies, over $4.7 billion in investment and created more than 10,000 local jobs.

Meanwhile, Luban Workshops, a network of vocational training centers launched in BRI partner countries, have expanded skills development opportunities. Since the first workshop opened in 2016, more than 100 professional programs have been launched worldwide, enrolling over 30,000 students and providing more than 160,000 training opportunities in fields including renewable energy, smart manufacturing and automotive repair, according to China’s Ministry of Education.

From solar panels in villages to digital networks and advanced manufacturing, the Belt and Road Initiative is moving beyond traditional trade links to build a broader ecosystem of technology, skills and shared development.