By Mikkel Larsen, iChongqing News

Chongqing - June 3rd marks the closing of the Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development in Chongqing. "The guests have conducted extensive and in-depth exchanges on topics such as building a global interconnection partnership, building a new channel, industrial cooperation, and have achieved fruitful results," said Wang Weiwan, Deputy Secretary-General of Chongqing Municipal Government at the closing ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development today.

Delegates on the Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development Forum in Chongqing, 3rd June 2019.

This afternoon, the forum for interconnected development hosted a total of 21 experts from 10 countries, who exchanged ideas and held discussions on three major forum topics; Practical Exploration and Future Prospects, Promoting Sustainable Development and Promoting People's Friendship. At the closing ceremony, a representative from each forum gave a summary of their discussions, providing a brief overview of the talking points from each.

He Zukun, Dean of the Yunnan Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, spoke on behalf of his forum group on Practical Exploration and Future Prospects. "Our discussions have been well received, and they have reached a consensus on the Three New.  To share new experiences, to develop a new understanding of the land-sea trade links, and to have a new outlook for the future." He Zukun was followed by Professor Hong Feng, Chairman of the Siam Think Tank of Thailand and Assistant President of the School of Management of Thailand Zhengda University, represented the second group on sustainable development, and Bernado Mendia, Vice President of the Portuguese Belt and Road Association, who represented the group on Promoting People's Friendship.

On top of the discussions held, we also saw the addition of six new think tanks to the Belt and Road Think Tank Cooperation Alliance. Joining the alliance is the Azerbaijan International Relations Research Center, the Ethiopian Insitute for Foreign Relations Strategy, The Korean Belt and Road Research Institute, The Kenyan African Policy Research Institute, The French Polynesian Pacific Affairs Council and the Armenian Political Economy Strategy Research Center. 

The closing ceremony also saw the release of the Chongqing Initiative to emphasize the points agreed on during today's discussions and encourage more collaboration between all the Belt and Road participants.

The Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development
Chongqing Initiative

1. Chongqing Municipal People’s Government and the Silk Road Think Tank Association hosted the Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development in Chongqing, China from June 2nd to 4th, 2019. One hundred fifty political leaders, scholars, and representatives of the business community and the media from over 30 countries across five continents have attended the Forum. Fruitful discussions have been conducted on such topics as the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and extensive common understandings have been reached.

2. We are of the view that in a world characterized by greater multi-polarity, economic globalization, information application, and cultural diversity, coupled with rapid changes in the global governance system and international order, as well as challenges such as trade protectionism and unilateralism, countries should uphold the principle of openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning and win-win cooperation in strengthening multilateral cooperation and enhancing trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. Together, we can build an open world economy and embrace joint development and prosperity.

3. We believe that the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation opened up a new stage of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Acting upon the consensus and outcomes of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development explored pathways to and means for the development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and promoted cooperation in infrastructure, industrial development, and people-to-people connectivity.

4. We believe that, as a hub for the development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and a key juncture connecting China-Europe Freight Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, Chongqing plays a unique and significant role in land-sea interconnected development and regional synergy. The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor is important for Belt and Road cooperation. It can help enhance regional connectivity, facilitate the economic and social development of relevant countries, and improve the well-being of people in the region.

5. We call upon relevant parties, guided by the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, to give play to the comparative advantages of land and sea transportation, promote synergy between land economy and maritime economy, accelerate the integration of countries within this region into the global industrial chain, supply chain and value chain, promote economic integration, interconnected development and achievements sharing, so as to gradually build a global partnership based on connectivity.

6. We are of the view that diverse civilizations around the world coexist and flourish together, and exchanges and mutual learning between cultures will build a bridge of people-to-people connectivity. We should further carry out cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, promote mutual respect, mutual tolerance, mutual appreciation and mutual learning among civilizations, and enhance understanding, trust and friendship among people of all countries.

7. We are convinced that the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor needs the active participation of various players. Political parties, governments, think tanks, media, enterprises, and civil society organizations should play active roles to foster all-round cooperation of multiple forms. We will continue to pool wisdom for developing the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

8. We extend our sincere gratitude to all the Chinese and foreign delegates attending this Forum. We hope to join hands with different parties to promote the development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, deliver high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and make a contribution to the peace, development, and shared prosperity of countries within the region.

Chongqing Municipal People’s Government
Silk Road Think Tank Association
June 3rd, 2019

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