Beijing is hosting a high-level international cooperation forum, dubbed “One Belt, One Road, ” which brings together dozens of heads of state and government, along with financial organizations and hundreds of business representatives and entrepreneurs.
“Spanning thousands of miles and years, the ancient silk routes embody the spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, ” Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening of the forum. “The Silk Road spirit has become a great heritage of human civilization.”
Xi also undertook to build a “road of peace” as he emphasized the need to respect the sovereignty and national interests of each and every state. The Chinese president added that he also wants it to be a “road of prosperity, ” focusing on cooperation and production that would aim to maintain a dynamic growth.
The initiative, Xi said, is based on transparency and efficient resource allocation, with “no intention of creating a small group detrimental to stability.”
Speaking after the host of the conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that, unfortunately, “protectionism and unlawful restrictions” have become the new norm in the modern world.
“We cannot resolve modern challenges by using old approaches. We need new ideas. We need to abandon all stereotypes, ” Putin urged.
“We should set a role model for the global community of how we can work together, develop together, based on equality and respect for national sovereignty based on international law and the United Nations principles.”
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing to offer concrete initiatives to implement and strengthen the Beijing-led Silk Road project which top delegates of 29 nations will discuss over two days at the Belt and Road Forum in the Chinese capital.
Hosted by Chinese President Xi, the forum will offer a unique opportunity for the world leaders to engage in a wide range discussions. Putin is one of the keynote speakers.
