The Belt and Road Cities’ Connectivity Index

The Belt and Road Cities’ Connectivity Index ranks 22 cities based on six dimensions: policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, closer people-to-people ties, and information connection. Singapore ranks first overall, leading in four of the six categories. The report finds that coastal cities generally exhibit stronger connectivity in trade, finance, and transportation, while inland cities like Chengdu and Moscow show strengths in rail freight and policy coordination. It emphasizes that geographical proximity strongly influences connectivity, particularly in East and South-East Asia, and recommends that cities leverage digital transformation and strategic partnerships to improve their global and regional influence.

• Singapore is the highest-ranked city in the index, leading in four specific categories: infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and information connection.
• Shanghai is the second-ranked city and demonstrates the most balanced performance across all six connectivity categories.
• Beijing ranks third overall and is the leader in policy coordination, serving as a hub for bilateral state cooperation and high-level BRI forums.
• Bangkok ranks fourth overall and is the top-performing city for closer people-to-people ties, driven by its status as a premier global tourism destination.
• Chinese cities have a significant advantage in information connection, with eight of the top ten cities in this category being from China.
• Coastal cities generally outperform inland cities in unimpeded trade, financial integration, people-to-people ties, and shipping infrastructure.
• Inland cities maintain connectivity primarily through rail networks and policy coordination; for example, Moscow is noted for its strong railway freight capability.
• Geographical proximity is a primary driver of connectivity, with six of the top ten intercity pathways existing between East Asian and South-East Asian cities.
• Chengdu, ranked 10th overall, is a key inland hub for the China–Europe Railway Express and has invested heavily in digital infrastructure to become a regional communication hub.
• International cities generally exhibit stronger global influence, whereas Chinese cities have more significant influence specifically within BRI regions.

APA

World Economic Forum (2021). The Belt and Road Cities’ Connectivity Index. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Belt_and_Road_Cities_Connectivity_Index_2021_EN.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. The Belt and Road Cities’ Connectivity Index. 2021. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Belt_and_Road_Cities_Connectivity_Index_2021_EN.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=The Belt and Road Cities’ Connectivity Index |date=November 2021 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Belt_and_Road_Cities_Connectivity_Index_2021_EN.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2021belt, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{The Belt and Road Cities’ Connectivity Index}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2021}, month = nov, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Belt_and_Road_Cities_Connectivity_Index_2021_EN.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }