Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborations in realms of science and technology, education, green economy, infrastructure, cross-border e-commerce etc. among BRI countries continue to move forward, demonstrating remarkable resilience and vitality, according to the experts attending the Fifth International Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative and Global Governance, which was held under the theme of “Overcoming Pandemic Challenges, Promoting An Inclusive BRI” at Fudan University on December 3-4.
Chen Zhou, vice minister of International Department, Central Committee of CPC, said China has been working closely with its partners to strengthen hard connectivity of infrastructure, soft connectivity of institutions and rules and mind connectivity of people-to-people exchanges, honoring the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, China and other countries along the belt and Road have continued to provide support to tide over the difficult time. The pandemic didn’t make Belt and Road cooperation come to a halt, but has further highlighted its significance, resilience and bright future, as good news on the China-Europe Railway Express keeps pouring in, the China-Laos Railway has begun operation, trade and investment in countries along Belt and Road have risen, and emerging sectors have flourished despite the complex situation.
Jiao Yang, chair of University Council of Fudan University, said in the face of the complex situation, we should strengthen the Belt and Road research and think tanks, and jointly build a path to peace, prosperity, openness, green development, innovation and civilization with a broader vision and a greater sense of responsibility. We should strive to promote joint development and win-win cooperation, keeping in mind both domestic and international imperatives. We also need to adapt our work to this new stage of development, apply the new development philosophy, foster a new pattern of development, and promote high-quality development to boost integrated innovation.
Upholding the common values of humanity, we should attach importance to the well-being of people. With the support of experts and professionals from all sectors, we will take a more active part in the international cooperation on education and poverty alleviation, pooling various resources to achieve the goals of high-standard, sustainable and people-friendly Belt and Road cooperation.
LO Vincent H.S., chairman of Shui On Group, said despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Belt and Road cooperation did not come to a halt. It braved the headwinds and continued to move forward, showing remarkable resilience and vitality. He believes that Belt and Road cooperation will make a significant contribution to infrastructure development and poverty alleviation in countries along the Belt and Road.
Chen Zhimin, vice president of Fudan University, moderated the opening ceremony.
Yue Yanghua, chairperson of China Center for Contemporary World Studies, Central Committee of CPC, stressed all the stakeholders should jointly promote the inclusive development of BRI with even stronger mutual trust. We should steadily expand new realms of cooperation to foster new highlights in practical cooperation under BRI, strengthen risk prevention and control networks to build a shared Belt and Road security community, and boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Leslie Maasdrop, vice president of the BRICS New Development Bank, said the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the importance of having multilateral institutions, and we need to inject new fiscal resources into these institutions to be better prepared for the development of the pandemic. He also hopes the standardization of investment rules can be promoted for a more promising landscape of investment, and to empower developing countries and emerging markets via regional infrastructure.
Nadeem Haque, dean of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics and former vice chairman of Pakistan Planning Commission, pointed out BRI has helped Pakistan gain very strong momentum in its development, as regional development and construction of industrial zones in Pakistan have received strong support from China. He looked forward to the deepening of multilateral cooperation in industrial chains, realizing inclusive development.
Wu Zhifeng, director of BRI Innovation and Development Center, China Development Bank, stressed we should not only strengthen and improve the existing BRI collaborations, but also make innovations in financing mechanisms, and enhance synergy among institutions in the global market. It is critical to deepen institutional innovation, capacity-building and financing to promote high-quality Belt-and-Road development.
Ádám Banai, executive director of Monetary Policy and Foreign Reserves Management, Magyar Nemzeti Bank, made introduction to the crisis management strategy, monetary policy towards green economy and green monetary policy toolkit of Magyar Nemzeti Bank. He said BRI has provided an important platform for countries to carry out cooperation in various fields and promoted sustainable economic development.
Zhang Yansheng, chief researcher at China International Economic Exchange Center and secretary-general at Academic Committee of the National Development and Reform Commission, said as the international situation is becoming increasingly complex, we need to make overall plans for a new development pattern, aiming for high-standard, sustainable and people-centered progress. It’s also important to strengthen capacity-building for cross-border e-commerce along the Belt and Road.
Wang Wen, executive dean at Chongyang Institute of Finance, Renmin University of China, believes BRI can serve as a buffer zone between China and the United States. Promoting high-quality development of BRI will play a pivotal and proactive role in easing tensions between China and the United States, helping bring the relationship back on track.
Wu Fan, associate dean of Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University and dean of Shanghai Institute of Major Infectious Diseases and Biosafety, stressed the coordination of regular pandemic prevention and control with economic and social development is not only a public health issue, but also a social governance issue. To improve the global governance system, we need to be committed to advancing international cooperation in the battle against COVID-19 pandemic, so as to build a shared community of health for mankind.
Henry Tillman, chairman and CEO of Grisons Peak L.L.P., proposed that inclusive BRI development can be realized through the development in infrastructure, digital economy, COVID-19 vaccine, green economy and green Silk Road, and progress of BRI is also a part of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Jusuf Wanandi, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees at Center for Strategic and International Studies in Indonesia, said BRI has brought benefits to the development of Indonesia and ASEAN countries. It is hoped that the BRI will become a driving force for sustainable and inclusive global growth, and that all the stakeholders can cement cooperation to achieve fruitful results.
Huang Renwei, executive vice dean of Fudan Institute of Belt and Road & Global Governance, moderated the keynote speech session.
The International Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative & Global Governance is co-organized by Fudan Institute of Belt and Road & Global Governance and China Center for Contemporary World Studies of International Department, Central Committee of CPC.
Launched in 2017, the forum brings together domestic and foreign political, business and academic elites to discuss the “Belt and Road” and global governance issues. It has gained widespread influence at home and abroad, becoming an important brand forum for the “Belt and Road” in China.
Presented by Fudan University Media Center
