Beijing, 18 October 2023 (TDI): The President of China, Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation, delineated eight steps to be opted by China for supporting the pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
The opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation took place on October 17, in Beijing.
First, to build a multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network, President Xi Jinping highlighted that China will speed up high-quality development of the China-Europe Railway Express, participate in the trans-Caspian international transportation corridor, and host the China-Europe Railway Express Cooperation Forum.
He also added to make joint efforts to build a new logistics corridor across the Eurasian continent linked by direct railway and road transportation, and to vigorously integrate ports, shipping, and trading services under the “Silk Road Maritime,” accelerating the building of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the Air Silk Road.
Second, to support an open world economy President Xi Jinping delineated that China will establish pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation, engage in free trade agreements, investment protection treaties, cross-border service trade and investment, and expand market access for digital and other products.
He also stressed on deepening the reforms in areas including state-owned enterprises, digital economy, intellectual property, and government procurement.
“China will hold the Global Digital Trade Expo annually. In the next five years (2024-2028), China’s total trade in goods and services is expected to exceed USD 32 trillion and USD 5 trillion respectively,” President Jinping added.
Third, to carry out practical cooperation, China will promote both signature projects and “small yet smart” livelihood programs.
In this regard, the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China will each set up an RMB 350 billion financing window, and an additional RMB 80 billion will be injected into the Silk Road Fund.
Both banks together will support Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects based on market and business operation and the cooperation agreements worth USD 97.2 billion had also been concluded at the CEO Conference held during the 3rd Belt and Road Forum.
President Xi Jinping also shared the prospects of carrying out 1,000 small-scale livelihood assistance projects and vocational education workshops.
Fourth, to promote green development, China will continue to hold the BRI Green Innovation Conference, implement the Green Investment Principles for the Belt and Road, and provide 100,000 training opportunities for partner countries by 2030.
Also, China will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as green infrastructure, green energy, and green transportation, and step up support for the BRI International Green Development Coalition.
Fifth, in advancing scientific and technological innovation, President Jinping stated that China will continue to implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan.
Besides that, China holds the first Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange, and through the Belt and Road Forum, China will put forward the Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance to promote sound, orderly, and secure AI development in the world.
Sixth, in supporting people-to-people exchanges, China will host the Liangzhu Forum to enhance dialogue on civilizations with BRI partner countries.
In addition to the Silk Road International League of Theaters, the Silk Road International Arts Festival, the International Alliance of Museums of the Silk Road, the Silk Road International Alliance of Art Museums, and the Silk Road International Library Alliance have also been set up for that cause.
President Xi Jinping also shared the launch of the International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities and the aim of China to start the Chinese government scholarship Silk Road Program.
Seventh, in promoting integrity-based Belt and Road cooperation, China along with its cooperation partners, China will release the Achievements, Prospects, and High-Level Principles on Belt and Road Integrity Building.
Also read: 3rd Belt and Road Forum commences in Beijing
Also, China will establish the Integrity and Compliance Evaluation System for Companies Involved in Belt and Road Cooperation and will also work with international organizations to carry out research and training on promoting integrity in Belt and Road cooperation.
Eighth, in strengthening institutional building for international Belt and Road cooperation, China will work with its BRI partner countries to strengthen the building of multilateral cooperation platforms covering energy, taxation, finance, green development, disaster reduction, anti-corruption, think tanks, media, culture, and other fields.
Besides that, President Xi Jin Ping highlighted that China will continue to host the BRF and establish a secretariat for the Forum.
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