The first Belt and Road Conference for Overseas Chinese Cooperation and Development opened on July 17, 2025, in Chongqing, southwest China. The conference aims to leverage the strength of overseas Chinese communities to advance the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Agreements worth a total of 43.79 billion yuan (about 6.13 billion U.S. dollars) covering 66 projects in green energy, cross-border trade, advanced manufacturing, and the digital economy were signed. Additionally, the Belt and Road Overseas Chinese Business Network was established with founding members representing Chinese business organizations from 72 countries and regions. This network aims to integrate global Chinese business resources and promote cooperation in trade, science, technology, and culture.
The event, jointly organized by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the governments of Chongqing and Sichuan Province, brought together over 500 overseas Chinese representatives from more than 110 countries and regions. Ten exemplary “Overseas Chinese for Belt and Road” cases highlighting contributions in areas such as new energy, manufacturing, and humanitarian aid were also announced.