Forums on six themes, namely trade connectivity, maritime cooperation, clean Silk Road, think tank exchanges, people-to-people bonds and sub-national cooperation, were held Wednesday in Beijing as part of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).

During the forums, participants exchanged in-depth views and reached a number of agreements.

Promoting trade connectivity

In the past decade, Belt and Road cooperation achieved solid outcomes, effectively promoting the free flow of commodity factors and economic integration between countries, as well as common market expansion.

At the thematic forum on trade connectivity, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng called for efforts to further strengthen the quality and efficiency of trade cooperation, improve the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, keep industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, support innovation of trade patterns and models, facilitate the coordinated development of goods and service trade, and pursue new progress in Belt and Road economic and trade cooperation.

China will strive to bring new opportunities to global development and benefit people of all countries with its products and market.

Strengthening maritime cooperation 

Noting the significance of the forum to maritime cooperation and sustainable maritime development, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong said China will forge ahead with all parties, improve communication and cooperation mechanisms, protect and utilize maritime resources in a sustainable manner, and enhance cooperation in the maritime industry and sci-tech.

Participants expressed their vision of strengthening cooperation in marine biodiversity conservation, ecosystem protection and restoration, and addressing climate change. They also voiced support for promoting the sharing of knowledge and achievements of sustainable marine development and jointly building an early warning system for marine disasters in key sea areas.

Building clean Silk Road

Over the past 10 years, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries have steadfastly adhered to principles of openness, green and integrity. Guided by the Beijing Initiative for the Clean Silk Road, they have established a stable, fair and transparent framework for clean governance within the BRI, which has encouraged governments, businesses and society to collaboratively create a cleaner and more efficient business environment, effectively safeguarding the BRI's stable and sustained development.

Noting the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese government's unequivocal and consistent opposition to corruption, Liu Jinguo, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and deputy secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said that China is willing to work with other countries to build political consensus, uphold the principles of integrity, further improve the business environment, deepen practical anti-corruption cooperation, jointly maintain a zero-tolerance stance against corruption and ensure the high-quality development of the BRI.

Strengthening think tank exchanges

The forum participants spoke highly of the important role played by think tanks and fully affirmed the practical results of international think tank cooperation and exchanges under the BRI.

Participants expressed hope that think tanks of all countries will carry out Belt and Road themed activities, including forums, seminars and study visits, to strengthen academic exchanges, expand cooperation and share the latest research results. In addition, they said think tanks, media and social organizations need to further promote public understanding of the BRI, and effectively address fake news and misinterpretations.

Enhancing people-to-people bonds

People-to-people bonds are an important part of the BRI and the social foundation for advancing joint the Belt and Road construction.

China is willing to work with BRI partners, giving high priority to improving people's well-being, increasing people-to-people exchanges in areas such as education, science, culture, sports, tourism and health, innovating ways of cooperation and expanding cooperation areas, said Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Deepening sub-national cooperation

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing said China is willing to work with all parties to ensure that the results of sub-national cooperation can deliver more benefits to people from various countries and contribute more to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The Belt and Road partner countries will focus on promoting cooperation in priority areas such as poverty reduction, urban governance, digital economy, green and innovative development, and capacity building.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: The opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China, October 18, 2023. /CFP)