On December 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the Fourth Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Construction Work Symposium held in Beijing and delivered a significant speech. Xi emphasized that under the current complex and challenging international circumstances, the effective development of the Belt and Road Initiative presents both opportunities and challenges, but overall, opportunities outweigh challenges. He called for strengthening strategic confidence, maintaining resolve, and boldly assuming responsibility to build a brighter future for the BRI.
At the symposium, officials such as Zheng Shanjie, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, and Beijing Municipal Committee Secretary Yin Li, shared their insights and recommendations regarding BRI-related efforts. In his speech, Xi noted that since its launch in 2013, the BRI has consistently embraced the Silk Road spirit of peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit. He highlighted the expansion of cooperation areas, the growing influence of the initiative, and its significant achievements on a global scale.
Xi stated that the BRI has entered a phase of high-quality development and stressed the importance of promoting the initiative under the vision of building a “community with a shared future for mankind.” He underlined the necessity of establishing a series of mechanisms to support its progress, with a focus on financial support, risk management, international collaboration, and adherence to the principles of a “Clean Silk Road.” Furthermore, he emphasized the need to address both large-scale infrastructure projects and smaller, community-based initiatives that directly impact people’s quality of life.
Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, in his evaluation of Xi’s speech, noted that it reflected on both the achievements of the initiative over the past decade and the goals for the future. He underscored the need for local governments, institutions, and enterprises to enhance their strategic thinking, security awareness, and international perspectives.
The meeting was attended by representatives of member organizations of the Leading Group for Promoting the BRI, experts, scholars, and executives from various institutions.
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