By Rui Hu, Wang Yi Ling,  iChongqing News

Chongqing- The Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development Launched in Chongqing on June 3, 2019. The forum was organized by Silk Road Think Tank Association from China Center for Contemporary World Studies International Department of the CPC Central Committee and Chongqing Municipal People`s Government.

Chen Min`er, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Chen Min`er pointed out that the second Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum was successfully held in April this year. President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech and gave the direction for high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Chongqing has an important strategic position and a significant location advantage. It plays a unique role in the Belt and Road construction. Chongqing will comprehensively implement words from President Xi Jinping`s speech and his spirits and strive to play a supporting role in order to promote the development of the western region in the new era. It will also play a leading role in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and play as a demonstration model in promoting the green development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

“The Belt and Road Initiative conforms to the trend of the times and the voice of the people. The key to building the Belt and Road Initiative is interconnection. It is hoped that all parties will be the advocates of the development concept of land-sea linkage, the builders of the interconnection network and the guardians of the principle of sharing. Using cooperation to surpass confrontation, win-win beyond monopoly, and strive to create facilities, development linkage, in order to achieve a good situation of sharing outcome”, Song Tao, Minister of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, said on his welcome speech.

Hor Nam Hong, deputy prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on his speech

According to Hor Nam Hong, deputy prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, he pointed out that the world is now experiencing profound and complex changes, and the global economy is also affected by trade and unilateral protectionism. Therefore, “today’s meeting will further promote globalization and multilateralism. Faced with many challenges and difficulties, I believe that strengthening cooperation is the fundamental way to solve problems. I also believe that the current society and the world need more interconnection than ever before. All countries along the 'Belt and Road' should build a closer community, find new engines for economic development, and promote common development”, he said.

Dominque de Villepin, former prime minister of the French Republic, on his speech in Chongqing, 3rd June 2019. 

Dominque de Villepin, former prime minister of the French Republic, gave a keynote speech on the opening ceremony.  “We have seen more than 100 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, which will enable our future globalization to be based on cooperation, balance, and sustainability. The BRI can also promote global trade, integrate with the investment market. We need new roads, railways, and ports to help us connect remote areas and further promote the development of trade between China and Europe. Since 2016, the China-Europe Express Railway has linked Wuhan to France's Lyon, which has greatly promoted the development of bilateral trade. In 2018, the bilateral trade volume between France and China exceeded 60 billion US dollars” he introduced, “I believe that as leaders and scholars of the political and business filed, we should continue to help strengthen the international community's understanding of the BRI”, he suggested.

The theme of the forum is “Shaping A New Shared Future for Interconnected Land-Sea Development”. Party political leaders, think tank scholars, and business experts from more than 30 countries attended the forum. During the forum, delegates reached a broad consensus on the development of land-sea linkage under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and adopted the “Chongqing Initiative”.

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