The 3rd Belt and Road Forum has started in China

Baku/18.10.23/Turan: The 3rd High-level Forum on International cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative opened in Beijing today, with Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizing the core principles of high-quality collaboration within the framework of the Belt and Road.

President Xi, addressing the forum's opening session, highlighted the transformation of Belt and Road cooperation from "hard" connectivity to a more "soft" approach. He underscored the importance of principles such as mutual consultation, joint construction, shared usage, openness, environmental sustainability, integrity, adherence to high standards, the well-being of people, and sustainable development in the high-quality advancement of the Belt and Road.

The Chinese leader noted that over the past decade, international cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative has grown from its inception to rapid development, yielding fruitful outcomes. This period has witnessed a shift from the conceptual phase to meticulous project planning and execution, with many ambitious plans materializing into tangible projects.

Xi Jinping highlighted the expanding geographical scope of Belt and Road cooperation, extending from Eurasia to Africa and Latin America. More than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have entered into cooperation agreements for joint Belt and Road construction.

He further emphasized the transition from mere project outlines to detailed execution over the past decade, with numerous significant initiatives and programs aimed at improving the well-being of the populace.

The forum, attended by representatives from over 110 countries, features various sessions, including an opening ceremony and three high-level forums on interconnectivity, green development, and the digital economy. Additionally, six thematic forums are dedicated to topics like uninterrupted trade, alignment of people's aspirations, and exchanges between analytical centers, among others.

The "One Belt and One Road" initiative, initially proposed by Xi Jinping in 2013, combines the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and the "Maritime Silk Road of the XXI Century." According to official Chinese data, this initiative encompasses a vast portion of Eurasia, connecting both developing and developed countries. The project spans regions with abundant resource reserves, housing 63% of the world's population, and boasts an estimated economic scale of $21 trillion. As of 2022, over $1 trillion has been invested in this ambitious initiative.--0--