23.10.2023
Correspondents of the People’s Daily newspaper Zhang Mengxu, Guan Kejian.
On October 17-18, the 3rd High-Level Forum on International Cooperation within the Belt and Road initiative was successfully held in Beijing. The event was attended by representatives of 151 countries and 41 international organizations, the total number of registered participants exceeded 10 thousand people. This demonstrates the enormous appeal of the Belt and Road Initiative and its global impact. During the Forum, 458 results were achieved, which significantly exceeds the number of results from the previous event. A number of specific agreements received positive and high praise from the Forum participants and the international community.
At the opening ceremony of the 3rd Belt and Road High-Level Forum on International Cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech outlining 8 steps to support high-quality implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. This list included the formation of an interconnected transport network in the Belt and Road space, support for the development of an open world economy, the deployment of practical cooperation, stimulation of green development, promotion of technological innovation, building up cultural and humanitarian ties, building a “fair path”, as well as improving the mechanism of international cooperation. The Chinese leader’s statement evoked a positive response from the international community.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres noted that the 8 directions of action announced by Xi Jinping are fully consistent with the goals and objectives of the UN and will help developing countries accelerate development. 10 years of experience have proven that the Belt and Road Initiative provides an important and effective way to help developing countries achieve sustainable development and serves as an example of South-South cooperation.
Member of the National kurultai under the President Republic Kazakhstan Kazbek Maigeldinov said that this Forum contributes to further strengthening economic cooperation between countries, expanding trade and investment, developing infrastructure and improving the well-being of peoples. As part of the Belt and Road joint construction initiative, Chinese companies are actively investing in the economy of Kazakhstan. Sino-Kazakh cooperation has already become a model for the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Mohammed Abdulaziz Alajlan, Vice Chairman of Ajlan & Bros Holding and Chairman of the Saudi-China Business Council, said that the 8 steps announced by President Xi Jinping, especially measures to stimulate green development, are fully consistent with the goals of Saudi energy transformation Arabia. According to him, the Chinese initiative and actions will help expand international cooperation and enrich the practice of joint construction of the Belt and Road.
According to South African China expert Thabo Mbeki, the 8 steps provided a guideline for high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road, and are a common goal and development blueprint for participating countries. He said: “Achievements over 10 years have proven that the Belt and Road countries as a whole have made progress in development, which encourages more countries to join this great cause.”
“China’s plan is concrete and practical, setting guidelines and action frameworks for the future development of the Belt and Road Initiative, increasing participants’ confidence in the grand progress of joint construction of the Belt and Road,” said Hermi, a member of the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Council.
Director of the Austrian Institute for China and Southeast Asian Studies Mr. Hannes Fellner noted that cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative is a powerful incentive to strengthen infrastructure, support an open world economy, promote green development, stimulate scientific and technological innovation and intensification of humanitarian exchanges between countries. He added: “Many of the problems the world faces can only be solved through dialogue, cooperation and shared development. China has set an example for the world in promoting its own development, supporting the shared prosperity of developing countries and creating multi-level exchanges.”
“Against the backdrop of the growing wave of deglobalization, this Forum has provided participating countries with an equal and friendly platform for dialogue, where everyone can share achievements and experiences, build confidence and discuss development plans, preparing to welcome the next “golden decade,” said the chairman of the China-Africa Association cooperation and development in Morocco Nasser Buchiba.
Mr. Yan Tianlu, Deputy chairman Chinese associations for Communication with public in Malaysia, pointed out that over the past 10 years, China has made impressive progress in development, and the Chinese proposals voiced at this Forum will undoubtedly contribute to building an open, inclusive and interconnected world of joint development.
General secretary ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn stated that the joint construction of the Belt and Road is an innovative way of international cooperation that will effectively promote the sustainable development of the international community. In the future, the joint construction of the Belt and Road will continue to stimulate regional cooperation, improving the well-being of peoples.
“The holding of this Forum is timely and extremely significant,” the minister said planning development and coordination help Solomonov Rexon Ramofafia. In his opinion, the Belt and Road joint construction initiative provides important development opportunities for Solomon Islands and other countries. They look forward to expanding cooperation with foreign countries, including China, on this platform.
Ghana’s Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah said Ghana has been cooperating with China in the areas of infrastructure, investment and trade under the Belt and Road Initiative and the consensus reached at this Forum will take bilateral cooperation to new heights.
The successful holding of the recent Forum once again shows that China’s policy of promoting the joint construction of the Belt and Road is correct, the determination of countries to participate in this initiative is strong, and the prospects for high-quality development of the Belt and Road are bright. Standing at a new starting point, China and all parties will implement and develop the spirit of the Silk Road, and together take a new path to realize the Belt and Road Initiative, ushering in a bright future for the modernization of different countries.
Photo 10/13/2023. The decorated China National Convention Center in Beijing ahead of the 3rd High-Level Forum on International Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Photo material from People’s Daily newspaper online/Guo Junfeng.
Source: “People’s Daily” online http://www.people.com.cn/
