World leaders will head to the “lungs of Beijing” in the coming days as the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation gets underway.
CGTN’s reporter Nadim Diab visited Yanqi Lake, one of host locations, to find out what delegates will experience in this tranquil and environmentally friendly area.
Yanqi Lake. /CFP Photo
Huairou District, over two-thirds of which is covered in forest, is the home to Yanqi Lake and its iconic Yanqi Lake Complex, where in 2014, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit was held.
Breathing in fresh air, time in Yanqi Lake is a good chance to observe nature and enjoy the serenity of water and greenery. Many symbolic features of Chinese culture can be spotted around the lake. Dragon boats rock in the dewy breeze, waiting for visitors to take an early summer ride.
The Sunrise Kempinski Hotel. /CFP Photo
The Sunrise Kempinski Hotel, part of Yanqi Lake Complex, was opened in 2014 to accommodate high profile visitors to the APEC Summit. The building not only features an avant-garde modern design, but also has elements of Chinese culture – the entrance of the hotel is shaped like the mouth of fish, a traditional symbol of prosperity.
In the middle of the sprawling Yanqi Island stands the Beijing Yanqi Lake International Conference Center, incorporating architectural influences from China’s Han and Tang dynasties.
Yanqi Lake, one of the host locations for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. /CFP Photo
On May 14 and 15, 29 heads of state and government will gather with delegates from around the world to witness the announcement of cooperation initiatives in infrastructure, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Situated at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains, Yanqi Lake exudes the richness of diverse Chinese culture in one harmonious place. The “lungs of Beijing” are the perfect location to breathe fresh life into the Belt and Road Initiative.
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