BEIJING, April 16 -- On April 16th, a beautiful spring day with flower blossoming under a clear sky, 198 diplomats from the embassies of 130 countries in Beijing and 137 representatives from 109 multi-national corporations gathered at the auditorium of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee for briefings on the Road and Belt Initiative. The briefing sessions were organized by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee to help MNCs and foreign diplomats in China better understand the recently released Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road.
Ou Xiaoli, inspector from the Department of Western Region Development of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and Zhang Yansheng, secretary-general of the NDRC Academic Committee provided professional and authoritative interpretations into the Road and Belt Initiative from different perspectives upon invitation. Ou said that the purpose of jointly building the road and belt is to improve the efficiency of resources allocation, make the flow of production factors freer and smoother and promote market integration within the region for win-win and common development. Vision is a blueprint and actions reflect China’s efforts and attitude. China looks forward to pragmatic cooperation with various countries for solid progress in the road and belt initiative so that it will bring about development opportunities for developing countries and emerging economies.
“The building of the road and belt is open to all countries. Located along the route or not, countries can contribute to the prosperity and development of their country and region by being a part of the road and belt initiative,” Ou said in response to a question, “While making full use of existing multilateral cooperation mechanism , we should also step up bilateral consultation. Metaphorically speaking, both group dancing and ballroom dancing are indispensible.”
Paul Kavanagh, ambassador of Ireland to China, told your correspondent that the Road and Belt Initiative, as an open-ended program, is not limited to some countries and is very positive. Ireland has sound relations with China in political, economic, culture and other areas. Further boosting bilateral relations and win-win outcome will also help realize the objective of the initiative.
He emphasized that Ireland hopes Chinese businesses make more investment and carry out more cooperation in Ireland as his country, with strong research and development capacity and a quality workforce, has strengths in financial services, agricultural technology and ICT.
As Juan Miranda, minister of the Peruvian Embassy in China, was going through the Vision and Actions, he remarked to your correspondent that the connections in five areas are all very important. This is a comprehensive initiative that will help boost mutually beneficial cooperation between countries.
He added that enhancing people-to-people bonds is of particular significance, which will further push forward exchanges with China.
China-Pakistan economic corridor that connects Xinjiang of China with the Gwadar port of Pakistan will be making great headways, Shujaat Ali Rathore, deputy chief of mission of the Pakistani Embassy in China, exclaimed.
Danish Ambassador to China Friis Ame Peterson asked how China will promote infrastructure development and what kind of companies will participate in the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road.
Ou replied that the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road will be braced by important and port cities and fulcrums jointly built by China and countries along the route. Therefore, the key to the development of maritime silk road is constructing key ports. Opportunities will be open to businesses of various types, rather than being exclusive to state-owned enterprises.
Zhang Yanshensg said that companies will be the major player and beneficiaries in the building of the road and belt. The Initiative will spark a lot of market demand in China and countries along the way and foster immense business opportunities for domestic and foreign enterprises.
Priority will be given to building a comprehensive network of connection of multi-layers to enhance interconnectivity between Asia, Europe and Africa and neighboring seas, Zhang said, adding that this will promote the integration of development strategies of relevant countries, tap market potential, encourage investment and consumption, create demand and employment within the region so as to create a more inclusive and open business environment for companies from China and elsewhere.
When answering a question posed by a representative of Mitsubishi, Zhang remarked on the close cooperation between China and the US, Japan, Europe and other developed economies, hoping that this sound momentum of cooperation will be maintained to bring about more business opportunities.
As Chinese economy enters a new development stage, Zhang hopes companies from developed countries will develop better in China and the scope of China’s opening-up will be expanded to cover more developing countries and emerging economies.
Participants to the briefings said that the authoritative explanations and interactions have helped them gain a deeper understanding about the Road and Belt Initiative. They expressed hope that governments and businesses of their countries be an active contributor to the Road and Belt Initiative, which is reflection of the sincerity and wisdom of China in building a community of common destiny. MNC representatives look forward to stronger win-win cooperation with Chinese companies to tap the vast business opportunities generated by the Road and Belt Initiative.
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Source: People's Daily
(Translation)