China Publishes: "Vision and Actions for Unswervingly Promoting the High-quality Development of the Belt and Road Initiative"
This wasn't easy to find. Very long read!
On Friday 24 November 2023 China published its ten year review of its Belt and Road Initiative whose full title is “Vision and Actions for Unswervingly Promoting the High-quality Development of the Belt and Road Initiative on Nov. 24 - The Development Outlook for the Belt and Road Initiative in the Next Decade.” An annoyance that isn’t unique to Chinese media is the failure to provide links to the paper whose publication’s being announced. It took awhile, but it was finally discovered. The paper is much more than a review; it’s also a very dense policy planning document having much to unpack which you’ll see as you read. Basic BRI philosophy is embedded throughout and is explicit that the aim is people centered development. Although aimed at Humanity as a whole, much relates to African development since it’s admittedly the greatest development challenge. Previous documents presented here, such as Xi’s discussion with Africans about China’s specific development suggestions, relate to this document. It’s very complex and inclusive and presents a big challenge to the Neoliberal world. Now, it’s time to see all that for yourself:
We will unswervingly promote the vision and actions of the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative
-- The development outlook of the Belt and Road Initiative in the next decade
(November 2023)
Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the Construction of the Belt and Road Initiative
directory
preface
1. Achievements and enlightenment of the Belt and Road Initiative in the past decade
2. The overall concept of jointly building the "Belt and Road" in the next decade
(1) Development ideas
(2) Principles and concepts
(3) Development goals
3. Key areas and directions for development in the next decade
(1) Policy communication
(2) Facility connectivity
(3) Unimpeded trade
(4) Financial integration
(5) People-to-people bonds
(6) Cooperation in new areas
Fourth, the path and measures for development in the next ten years
(1) Coordinate the creation of brand highlights and build a high-level three-dimensional interconnection network
(2) Coordinate and strengthen risk prevention and control, and establish and improve a systematic security system
(3) Coordinate and improve mechanisms and platforms, and deepen and expand multilateral and bilateral practical cooperation
(4) Coordinate the improvement of policy services and enhance all-round support and guarantees
5. Coordinate and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind
5. Prospects
preface
Take advantage of the general trend of history and take the right path in the world. In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping assessed the situation and put forward the grand initiative of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, which became a milestone event in the history of human development. Over the past decade, with the joint efforts of all parties at home and abroad, the Belt and Road Initiative has taken root and flourished, and has become an open, inclusive, mutually beneficial, win-win cooperation and popular international trade platform, building a platform, adding impetus to global common development.
The crowd paddled and drove the boat. In the face of a complex and volatile international environment, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation requires the participation and perseverance of all parties, the continuous development impetus with innovative thinking, the continuous leadership with solid actions, and the joint efforts of the whole world.
Ten years of sailing again. Standing at a new starting point, in order to thoroughly implement the spirit of President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, guided by President Xi Jinping's eight actions to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, fully implement the important cooperation consensus and major cooperation achievements reached by all parties of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and unswervingly promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, The Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative has formulated and released the Vision and Actions for Unswervingly Promoting the High-quality Development of the Belt and Road Initiative - Development Outlook for the Belt and Road Initiative in the Next Decade, which studies and puts forward the vision, ideas and practical actions for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in the next decade, so as to work together to build an open, inclusive, interconnected and common development world, and jointly write a chapter of the times in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
1. Achievements and enlightenment of the Belt and Road Initiative in the past decade
Over the past decade, the Belt and Road Initiative has taken connectivity as the main line, continuously deepened policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds, continuously expanded the scope of cooperation, tapped new impetus for world economic growth, opened up new space for global development, created a new platform for international economic cooperation, and contributed Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions and Chinese strength to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, becoming a "development belt" for the benefit of the world and a "happy road" for the people of all countries.
Over the past 10 years, we have jointly deepened strategic synergy and policy coordination, with more than three-quarters of the world's countries and important international organizations joining the Belt and Road Initiative, and international consensus has been continuously strengthened; we have jointly promoted the "four-in-one" interconnection of land, sea, space and network, and successfully built a number of landmark projects, injecting new vitality into global connectivity and common development; we have jointly developed mutually beneficial and win-win economic and trade partnerships, and continuously expanded the scale of trade and investment with the co-construction countries and continuously optimized the structure, so as to cope with "de-globalization". We have jointly carried out various forms of financial cooperation, expanded the space for cooperation in depth, diversified investment and financing models, jointly expanded multi-level and multi-field cultural exchanges and cooperation, promoted mutual learning between civilizations and cultural integration and innovation, and created a number of "small but beautiful" livelihood projects in the fields of education, culture, sports, tourism, archaeology, etc., paving a sunny road that connects the hearts of the people, reaches the will of the people, and benefits the people's livelihood.
Over the past decade, the Belt and Road Initiative has stood on the right side of history, conformed to the logic of the progress of the times, followed the right path on earth, and formed and accumulated some valuable experience. Practice has fully proved that high-quality Belt and Road cooperation must always adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and only win-win cooperation can accomplish, do good and great things, inherit and carry forward the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, advocate the concept of win-win cooperation and the correct concept of justice and shared interests, and insist that all countries are equal participants, contributors and beneficiaries Sunshine Avenue is getting wider and wider, always adhering to the overall planning of "hard connectivity", "soft connectivity" and "heart connectivity", breaking down various barriers, smoothing internal and external circulation, and jointly achieving win-win development, always adhering to the highest goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, actively promoting the building of a community with a shared future in bilateral, regional and related fields, and vigorously promoting world peace, tranquility and common development.
2. The overall concept of jointly building the "Belt and Road" in the next decade
(1) Development ideas
The Belt and Road Initiative carries the aspirations of the people of all countries for common development, a better life, and exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. In the next decade, China calls on all parties to further hold high the banner of a community with a shared future for mankind, inherit and carry forward the spirit of the Silk Road, uphold the people-centered development philosophy, adhere to goal-oriented and action-oriented, and take China's eight actions to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as a guide, actively build a three-dimensional connectivity network for the Belt and Road, support an open world economy, carry out practical cooperation projects, promote green development, promote scientific and technological innovation, support people-to-people exchanges, build a clean road, and improve the Belt and Road Initiative The international cooperation mechanism will strive to improve the development level and people's livelihood and well-being of all countries, jointly promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and continuously achieve new and greater results, so as to create a better future of peace, development, cooperation and win-win results.
China proposes that all parties should pay attention to the "five overall plans" in promoting the cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative. The first is to coordinate inheritance and innovation. Consolidate the foundation of cooperation, pay attention to adjusting and revitalizing the stock, maintain the circle of friends of the Belt and Road Initiative, and consolidate the foundation for high-quality development. Focus on improving the ability of innovation and development, do better and stronger increments, open up new space for common development, and create more distinctive brands. The second is to coordinate the government and the market. Adhere to the principle of coordinated promotion of "enterprise entities, market operations, government guidance, and international rules", and fully stimulate the enthusiasm of all parties to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. The third is to coordinate bilateral and multilateral. We will work together to build an open world economy, oppose protectionism, continue to effectively align and synergize the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of various countries and regional and international development agendas, promote multilateralism bilaterally, and encourage more countries and enterprises to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative through bilateral, tripartite and multilateral cooperation, so as to expand the cake of common interests. Fourth, coordinate scale and efficiency. Steadily improve the scale and efficiency of the Belt and Road cooperation, take "small but beautiful" projects as a priority for cooperation, and carry out more projects with small investment, quick results, and good economic, social and environmental benefits, so as to form more grounded and popular cooperation results, and create a number of landmark projects that are highly praised by the countries and have a strong sense of gain. Fifth, we need to coordinate development and security. Adhering to the concept of common security, we should establish a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, strengthen the sense of security community, jointly refine and improve security measures, and form a cooperation mechanism for benefit sharing and risk sharing.
(2) Principles and concepts
Adhere to extensive consultation, joint construction and sharing. China is committed to promoting democracy, the rule of law, and fairness in international relations, advocating that all countries, big or small, are equal, insisting that everyone's affairs should be handled through consultation, and striving to seek the greatest common denominator of the interests of all parties through pooling wisdom and efforts, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and pooling wisdom. Focusing on policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds, we will continue to deepen cooperation, further expand cooperation space in new areas such as health, green, digital, and innovation, coordinate the efforts of all parties, integrate advantageous resources, and help jointly promote national economic and social development and improve people's livelihood and well-being.
Adhere to openness, green, and integrity. China unswervingly pursues the basic national policy of opening up to the outside world, regards openness as the essence of the Belt and Road Initiative, and welcomes all countries to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and share the dividends of China's development. We will continue to take green as the distinctive background color of the Belt and Road Initiative, and work with other countries to coordinate economic and social development and ecological and environmental protection. We will insist that all cooperation operate under the sun, regard integrity as an inherent requirement and necessary condition for the steady and long-term development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and continuously promote the in-depth development of international anti-corruption cooperation.
Adhere to high standards, benefit people's livelihood and be sustainable. The Belt and Road Initiative takes the "soft connectivity" of rules and standards as an important support, introduces rules and standards that are universally supported by all parties, advocates the alignment of international rules and standards, and encourages developing countries to adopt rules and standards that suit their own national conditions and follow a development path suited to their own national conditions. Adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, focus on poverty eradication, increase employment, and improve people's livelihood, so that the results can better benefit all people, and enhance people's sense of gain and happiness. Actively align with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, take the path of coordinated economic, social and environmental development, and at the same time follow international practices and the principle of debt sustainability to ensure commercial and financial sustainability.
(3) Development goals
In the next decade or so, all parties will work towards the goal of equal cooperation and mutual benefit, continue to expand practical cooperation in various fields of the Belt and Road Initiative, deepen the Belt and Road partnership, push the Belt and Road Initiative into a new stage of high-quality development, make greater contributions to the realization of world modernization of peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity, and jointly build a community of interests, responsibilities and shared future with political mutual trust, economic integration and cultural inclusiveness.
Specifically, it includes five major goals, namely: First, the interconnection network will be smoother and more efficient, and on the basis of respecting the sovereignty and security concerns of relevant countries, the systematic and three-dimensional spatial architecture of "six corridors, six routes, multiple countries and multiple ports" will be further improved. Second, practical cooperation in various fields has reached a new level, and "hard connectivity", "soft connectivity" and "heart connectivity" have been promoted in a coordinated and in-depth manner, and new breakthroughs have been made in the construction of a healthy, green, digital and innovative Silk Road. Third, the sense of gain and happiness of the people of the co-built countries has been further enhanced, the content and form of people-to-people exchanges have been richer, and the foundation of people's will and public opinion has been continuously consolidated. Fourth, China's new system of a higher-level open economy has been basically formed, with the steady expansion of institutional opening-up in terms of rules, regulations, management and standards, and the continuous optimization of the layout of regional opening-up, injecting more vitality into international cooperation. Fifth, the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind has become more and more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and the international appeal of the Belt and Road Initiative has been further demonstrated, making greater contributions to building an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world featuring lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.
3. Key areas and directions for development in the next decade
In the next decade, China is ready to work with all parties to further deepen cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, work together to promote all-round and multi-field connectivity, and inject greater energy into world peace and development.
(1) Policy communication
"Those who are like-minded do not take mountains and seas as far". Policy coordination is an important guarantee for the Belt and Road Initiative and an important precursor to jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind.
First, we need to focus on deepening multilateral cooperation. We will always uphold true multilateralism and the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, actively participate in the construction and reform of the global governance system, promote the better role of multilateral mechanisms such as the World Trade Organization, oppose hegemony, bullying and hegemony, and jointly promote the development of global governance in a more just and equitable direction. We will further deepen our cooperation with UNESCO, continue to cooperate with UNESCO to hold the Belt and Road Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage, and continue to cooperate with UNESCO in the Silk Road Young Scholars Funding Program. We will continue to build a composite international cooperation framework led by the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and supported by bilateral, tripartite and multilateral cooperation mechanisms.
The second is to build a multi-level intergovernmental policy exchange and docking mechanism. Strengthen multi-level and multi-channel bilateral communication and consultation with the co-construction countries, and consolidate and enrich the overall cooperation framework for the docking of development strategies, plans, mechanisms, markets and projects. Steadily and orderly promote the negotiation and signing of cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative with relevant countries and international organizations. We have actively deepened practical cooperation with the countries we have built with each other, achieved a number of landmark achievements, and continued to enhance consensus on cooperation.
The third is to further promote the docking of rules and standards. Actively connect and adopt international rules and standards with universal consensus, strengthen strategic docking and cooperation with authoritative international standards organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization, the International Electrotechnical Commission, and the International Telecommunication Union, and unite members of international standards organizations to promote the formulation of international standards. Respect the laws and regulations of various countries, deepen cooperation with the joint construction of national rules and standards, strengthen cooperation on mutual recognition of standards and the exchange of standard information, support the construction of standardization capacity in the joint construction countries, and reduce the "hidden barriers" to the exchange of personnel, capital, goods, services and other elements. Promote the opening up of standards and systems, ensure that foreign-invested enterprises participate in the formulation of Chinese standards in accordance with the law, and launch multilingual versions of Chinese standards.
(2) Facility connectivity
"The road is open, and all industries are prosperous". Infrastructure connectivity is a priority for the Belt and Road Initiative. China will work with all parties to promote the construction of the Silk Road on land, sea, sky and online through the construction of high-quality, sustainable, risk-resistant, affordable, inclusive and accessible infrastructure, and comprehensively improve the level of infrastructure connectivity among the countries that are jointly built.
The first is to vigorously promote the construction of land corridors. On the basis of respecting national sovereignty and security concerns, we will strengthen the docking with the joint construction of national infrastructure construction plans and technical standard systems, and strive to open up broken road sections and unblock bottleneck road sections. Strengthen the construction of border infrastructure and ports, focus on improving the capacity of container trains and cargo reloading in port yards, and improve the level of customs clearance facilitation. Actively participate in the construction of the country's major port inbound railways and airport expressways, promote the effective connection of various modes of transportation, and strengthen multimodal transport channels.
The second is to deepen maritime connectivity with the countries we jointly build. Encourage the joint construction of important national ports to conclude sister port agreements or sister port agreements, and cooperate in building international and regional shipping centers. Promote the increase of sea routes and frequencies, and improve the international maritime network. Strengthen the interconnection and sharing of international logistics information with the joint construction of national key ports, and improve the level of transportation facilitation. Actively share the experience of port economic development with co-construction countries and port cities, and promote the "port + free trade zone" model according to the actual local situation and willingness.
The third is to promote the high-quality development of the "Air Silk Road". We will continue to strengthen technical cooperation in the fields of civil aviation safety, green and smart development. Steadily promote the signing of multilateral and bilateral air transport agreements with the participating countries, expand air traffic rights arrangements in an orderly manner, and explore and promote a higher level of aviation opening-up. Strengthen multilateral and bilateral cooperation in international air transport and fully unleash the potential of the regional aviation market. We will further encrypt and jointly build routes and flights in national capitals and key cities to improve the quality and operational efficiency of air transportation.
Fourth, promote the secure and efficient interconnection of information infrastructure. Promote the interconnection of information and communication networks with the countries jointly built, cooperate in promoting the construction of cross-border terrestrial cables and submarine optical cables, and broaden information channels. Support enterprises from all countries to cooperate in the construction of information infrastructure and improve the level of network interconnection. To improve digital inclusion, adopt a variety of policy measures and technical means to narrow the digital divide between and within countries, and vigorously promote Internet access. We will further strengthen cooperation in the protection of intellectual property rights, personal privacy, and cross-border data flows, and jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace. We will continue to build the Belt and Road Space Information Corridor, focusing on key areas of cooperation such as deep space exploration, disaster prevention and mitigation, environmental protection, marine and agricultural applications, and space education and training, so as to continuously enrich the connotation of the Belt and Road Space Information Corridor and better serve the sustainable economic and social development of the country.
(3) Unimpeded trade
"Development is the eternal theme of human society". The Belt and Road Initiative focuses on the fundamental issue of development, and provides more market, investment and growth opportunities for the co-construction countries, so that the fruits of cooperation can benefit all countries and all parties.
First, expand global trade cooperation. Deepen scientific and technological innovation, institutional innovation, model and business innovation, and promote the supporting role of industrial innovation in trade. Strengthen cooperation in the digital field, promote the digitalization of shipping trade and the Belt and Road Initiative, and promote the organic integration of the Internet, the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain and trade. Strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in e-commerce, create a "Silk Road e-commerce" cooperation pilot zone, promote the construction of a comprehensive pilot zone for cross-border e-commerce, carry out cooperation in the field of postal express delivery, smooth the entry and exit channels of mail and express mail, and effectively support and drive the development of cross-border e-commerce. Promote the balanced, coordinated and sustainable development of trade, optimize the quality and structure of export commodities, and actively develop trade in services.
The second is to strengthen two-way investment cooperation. Guide enterprises to improve corporate governance, actively fulfill social responsibilities, operate in accordance with laws and regulations, improve international business capabilities, and establish a good image of Chinese investors. Deepen economic cooperation in international production capacity and investment, establish and improve multilateral and bilateral economic cooperation mechanisms, and promote planning docking, policy consultation, market docking, and project cooperation with relevant countries, so as to share development dividends. Expand third-party market cooperation, sign third-party market cooperation documents with more willing countries, focus on co-construction countries as the target market, and carry out third-party market cooperation in the form of trade, project contracting, investment, and technical cooperation in accordance with local conditions. We will continue to build platforms with qualified countries to broaden market-oriented financing channels for third-party market cooperation projects. We will continue to optimize the environment for foreign investment, improve supporting measures, and implement the investment promotion, investment protection and investment management systems determined by laws and regulations, so as to provide stronger legal safeguards for enterprises from the co-construction countries to invest in China.
The third is to raise the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. China has negotiated and signed free trade agreements and investment protection agreements with more countries. Restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector will be lifted in an all-round way. We will take the initiative to further promote the high-level opening up of cross-border trade in services and investment in accordance with international high-standard economic and trade rules, expand market access for digital products, and deepen reforms in areas such as state-owned enterprises, digital economy, intellectual property rights, and government procurement. Improve the integrated regulation and control system of domestic and foreign trade, promote the convergence of domestic and foreign trade laws and regulations, regulatory system, business qualifications, quality standards, inspection and quarantine, certification and accreditation, and promote the same line, same standard and same quality. Implement the strategy of upgrading free trade zones, expand the network of high-standard free trade zones facing the world, and give full play to the role of pilot free trade zones and free trade ports as pilot projects, so as to better serve the joint construction of the "Belt and Road". We will actively carry out cooperation on "smart customs, smart borders, and smart connectivity", accelerate the interconnection of "single window" for international trade and the international mutual recognition of "authorized operators", support enterprises to enjoy customs clearance facilitation in more countries, and provide entry and exit and residence facilitation for trade and investment personnel. Deepen multilateral and bilateral cooperation in health quarantine, animal and plant quarantine, import and export food safety with the co-construction countries, improve and promote the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" customs information exchange and sharing platform, and promote the construction of quarantine laboratories in countries with weak infrastructure. China will deeply participate in global food and agriculture governance, carry out South-South cooperation in agriculture, explore the joint construction of a number of agricultural industrial parks, demonstration bases and exchange platforms, and promote the establishment of safe, smooth and efficient food and agricultural supply chains.
(4) Financial integration
"Blood, strong muscles and bones". The smooth flow of financial blood has injected fresh water into the joint construction of the "Belt and Road". China will work with all parties to actively expand diversified financing channels, enrich innovative investment and financing tools, continue to improve financial cooperation mechanisms, promote the establishment of a more diversified, inclusive and sustainable investment and financing system for the Belt and Road Initiative, and provide stable, transparent and high-quality financial support for the Belt and Road Initiative.
The first is to improve the financial cooperation mechanism. We will build a financing policy framework for the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, work with relevant countries to implement the Guiding Principles for Belt and Road Financing, and promote the further application of the Belt and Road Debt Sustainability Analysis Framework. We will continue to give full play to the role of various types of loans, Silk Road funds and special investment funds for the Belt and Road Initiative, and support all kinds of financial institutions to participate in project investment and financing. Improve the credit insurance support system, give full play to the role of policy-based export credit insurance, encourage commercial insurance to enrich the supply of insurance protection, and meet the needs of various projects and enterprises. Promote the internationalization of the renminbi in an orderly manner, steadily promote bilateral local currency cooperation with the co-construction countries, and encourage financial institutions to use the renminbi more in foreign investment and financing. Improve the global financial safety net, strengthen international cooperation in the fields of financial supervision, accounting and auditing supervision, taxation and anti-corruption, and enhance the ability to resist risks.
The second is to expand new channels for investment and financing. Through multilateral and bilateral cooperation platforms, multilateral development institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are encouraged to carry out co-financing with co-financing countries. Standardize the implementation of equity investment, public-private partnership (PPP) project financing, etc., give full play to the leading role of public funds, and mobilize long-term capital and private sector capital to participate. We should play the role of a multilateral development financing cooperation center to support high-quality project reserves and capacity building. Support the governments of the co-construction countries, enterprises with high credit ratings, and financial institutions to issue RMB bonds in China. Eligible financial institutions and enterprises in China are encouraged to issue RMB bonds and foreign currency bonds overseas and use the funds raised in the co-construction countries.
(5) People-to-people bonds
"The friendship between countries lies in the people-to-people relationship". People-to-people bonds are the foundation of the Belt and Road Initiative. China will inherit and carry forward the spirit of friendship and cooperation along the ancient Silk Road, continue to deepen cooperation in education, culture, tourism and sports with the countries and relevant international organizations, promote communication and exchanges among political parties, youth, women, persons with disabilities, social organizations, media and think tanks, and transcend the estrangement of civilizations, the clash of civilizations, and the coexistence of civilizations through exchanges among civilizations, so that all countries can understand, respect and trust each other, and form a trend of co-prosperity and development of civilizations in harmony and diversity.
The first is to strengthen cooperation in education and training. We will continue to implement the "Silk Road" Chinese Government Scholarship, actively expand the scale of mutual study abroad with the co-construction countries, carry out high-level educational exchanges and cooperation, and improve the level of mutual recognition. Strengthen friendly exchanges between Chinese and foreign youths, and deepen international exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign languages. Strengthen the construction of the "Belt and Road" tax collection and management capacity promotion alliance, expand the "Belt and Road" tax academy network, actively support the exchange and training of tax officials, and promote the joint improvement of the tax collection and management capacity of the joint construction countries. We will continue to strengthen the construction of international cooperation mechanisms for natural disaster prevention and emergency management under the Belt and Road Initiative, launch the Belt and Road Emergency Management Training Program for 1,000 Personnel, the Belt and Road Work Safety Accident Risk Prevention and Response Capability Improvement Project, and the Belt and Road Mine Safety Capability Improvement Project, and hold regular Belt and Road emergency rescue drills. Close exchanges and visits between personnel in all aspects of the agricultural field, and promote the exchange of experience, technology, standards and talents in agricultural development.
The second is to strengthen cooperation in culture, tourism and sports. Implement the "Cultural Silk Road" plan, hold key activities such as cultural years, art festivals and exchange weeks with the co-construction countries, and hold the theme festivals of the Belt and Road Initiative. We will continue to expand the membership of the Silk Road International Alliance of Theatres, Museums, Arts Festivals, Libraries, Art Galleries and Silk Road Tourism Cities, and build a platform for international cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation. Strengthen the exchange of experience in the protection of cultural heritage, promote international cooperation in the study of ancient civilizations, joint archaeology, restoration of monuments, museum exchanges, personnel training, recovery and return of lost cultural relics, actively carry out actions for the protection of cultural heritage in Asia, build an alliance for the protection of cultural heritage in Asia, and promote the high-quality development of cultural heritage protection through a normalized cooperation mechanism. Expand the scale of tourism exchanges, hold key activities such as tourism years, publicity months, and promotion weeks with each other, jointly create international high-quality tourism product routes with Silk Road characteristics, and implement the "Hello! China" inbound tourism promotion plan. Actively carry out sports exchange activities and support the host of major international sports events in the countries participating in the construction.
The third is to strengthen cooperation between political parties and non-governmental organizations. We should give full play to the role of political parties and parliaments as a bridge for exchanges, strengthen friendly exchanges between legislatures, major political parties and political organizations in the countries that are jointly built, and continue to hold high-level dialogues between the Communist Party of China and political parties around the world. We will carry out the "Silk Road Heart-to-Heart" initiative, and support Chinese and foreign non-governmental organizations, enterprises, think tanks and other institutions to carry out people-to-people exchanges and livelihood projects. Implement the "Belt and Road" Future Elite Program, and actively invite young elites from political parties, political organizations, non-governmental organizations, and overseas Chinese associations from the countries to come to China for exchanges. We will continue to hold a series of activities to "unite women's strength and jointly build the Belt and Road" to promote exchanges and cooperation among women. Actively carry out exchanges and cooperation with the co-construction countries of international volunteer services, and initiate the establishment of a global volunteer service alliance. Actively promote youth exchanges and cooperation, and implement the "Dream Silk Road" youth development plan.
Fourth, strengthen cooperation between the media and think tanks. We will continue to strengthen the construction of the Belt and Road News Cooperation Alliance, and promote cooperation among news media from various countries in joint interview production, personnel training and exchanges. We will do a good job in organizing activities such as the Silk Road International Film Festival and the Book Fair, and do a good job in the selection of the "Silk Road Award" for international communication. Support countries to strengthen media capacity building, deepen media policy exchanges and international research and training. Give full play to the role of radio and television as a bridge, do a good job in organizing activities such as the China-Arab Countries Radio and Television Cooperation Forum and the China-ASEAN Audiovisual Week, carry out the mutual translation and broadcast of excellent audio-visual programs along the "Belt and Road", and thoroughly implement the "Silk Road Audio-Visual Project". Actively cooperate with think tanks and research institutions in various countries, organize joint research, dialogues and forums, support the joint publication of academic achievements, and promote more think tanks, experts and scholars to join the "Belt and Road" International Think Tank Cooperation Committee and the "Belt and Road" Think Tank Cooperation Alliance.
(6) Cooperation in new areas
"Those who observe the trend are clear, and those who observe the trend are wise". The Belt and Road Initiative will conform to the general laws of world economic, technological, industrial and social development and the general trend of the times, steadily carry out cooperation in new fields such as green, digital, innovation and health, cultivate new growth points for cooperation, and inject more impetus and hope into a better life for the people of the countries we jointly build.
The first is to promote the green development of the Belt and Road Initiative. We will comprehensively consolidate the foundation for green development cooperation, take ecological priority and green development as the guide, promote the in-depth alignment of the construction of the Green Silk Road with the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, and promote the implementation of major cooperation projects. We will vigorously expand the space for green development cooperation, focus on key areas such as green infrastructure, green ecology, green energy, green transportation, and green finance, and rely on and improve important platforms such as the Belt and Road International Green Development Coalition to implement the green investment principles of the Belt and Road Initiative, seek green development, and build a clean and beautiful world. We will continue to hold the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference, and build a dialogue and exchange mechanism for the photovoltaic industry and a network of green and low-carbon experts. We will continue to strengthen green development capacity-building, increase talent support for the green development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and promote the continuous improvement of the endogenous driving force of green development in the countries we work with.
The second is to accelerate the cultivation of new forms and models of cooperation in the digital field. We will deepen cooperation on digital governance, accelerate the negotiation process of accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) and other agreements, and accelerate negotiations on e-commerce issues at the World Trade Organization (WTO), so as to expand the space for win-win cooperation. Relying on platforms such as the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the Digital China Construction Summit, and the World Internet Conference, we will enhance understanding and mutual trust among all parties. Actively promote the interconnection of digital infrastructure, accelerate cooperation in cross-border e-commerce, digital education, smart cities, the Internet of Things, 5G and other fields, and promote a series of practical cooperation results. We will strive to bridge the digital divide, continue to organize foreign aid training courses on the theme of digital economy, so that the dividends of digital economy development can truly benefit the people of all countries, and work together to create an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory digital development environment. China will strengthen practical cooperation in the digital field with the International Telecommunication Union, the Asia-Pacific Telecommunications Organization and other institutions, enhance the capacity of developing countries to develop information and communication technologies, and contribute to the realization of the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The third is to create a new highland for scientific and technological innovation cooperation along the "Belt and Road". We will continue to implement the Belt and Road Initiative for Science and Technology Innovation, and solidly promote four initiatives, including scientific and technological and people-to-people exchanges, joint laboratories, technology transfer and cooperation in science and technology parks. Four special actions have been launched, including the Belt and Road Sustainable Development Technology Cooperation Program, the Spatial Information Technology Cooperation Program, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Cooperation Program, and the Science and Technology Poverty Alleviation Program. Relying on and improving platforms such as the Belt and Road Intellectual Property Cooperation Mechanism, we will strengthen international cooperation on intellectual property protection, and create an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological development. Implement the Global AI Governance Initiative, and jointly promote the healthy, orderly and safe development of global AI.
Fourth, actively deepen international cooperation in the field of public health. China has been deeply involved in global health governance, and has continued to actively participate in the World Health Organization (WHO), the G20, BRICS, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and other mechanisms, as well as the health ministers' meetings, governing mechanisms and technical meetings. Give full play to the role of the Belt and Road public health cooperation network, deepen joint prevention and control of infectious diseases, and strengthen information reporting and sharing. We will work together to deepen exchanges and cooperation in traditional medicine policy communication, medical services, scientific research, education and training, industrial development, and cultural communication, so as to make greater contributions to serving human health and well-being.
Fourth, the path and measures for development in the next ten years
In the next decade, China is ready to join hands with all parties to fully draw on the source of strength of the Silk Road spirit of "peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit", and take extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, openness, green and integrity, and high standards to benefit people's livelihood and sustainability as important guiding principles, so as to promote the Belt and Road Initiative to achieve new and greater results and bring more tangible benefits to the development of all countries and the world.
(1) Coordinate the creation of brand highlights and build a high-level three-dimensional interconnection network
The first is to coordinate the creation of a number of landmark projects. Strengthen the connection with the development strategy and market demand of the co-construction countries, fully consider the interests and concerns of the governments, local governments and people of the co-construction countries, continuously improve the systematic, coordinated and sustainable planning, construction and operation of landmark projects, and comprehensively enhance the demonstration and leading role. We will build the China-Thailand Railway and the Hungarian-Serbian Railway and other projects under construction, jointly build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with high quality, operate the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway, the Jakarta-Djibouti Railway, the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway and other projects, do a good job in the preliminary research of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway, and promote the integration of investment, construction and operation. We will work with relevant co-construction countries to promote the construction and operation of Kyaukphyu Port, Gwadar Port, Colombo Port, Hambantota Port, Piraeus Port and other ports in a steady and orderly manner, and actively promote the integrated development of "Silk Road Shipping" ports, shipping and trade. Steadily promote cooperation in the planning, construction and operation of civil aviation infrastructure such as Gwadar New International Airport in Pakistan and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport in Cambodia, and help jointly build high-quality development of national civil aviation infrastructure. Maintain the stable operation of the China-Russia East Route Natural Gas Pipeline, the China-Russia Crude Oil Pipeline, the China-Central Asia Natural Gas Pipeline, the China-Myanmar Pipeline and other projects. We will accelerate the high-quality development of the China-Europe Railway Express, participate in the construction of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, hold the China-Europe Railway Express International Cooperation Forum, and work with all parties to build a new logistics channel in Eurasia supported by direct transportation by rail and road. Expand and optimize the brand influence of the China-Laos Railway, and promote the construction of the new land-sea corridor in the western region to comprehensively improve quality and efficiency.
The second is to continue to polish the "golden signboard" of the "small and beautiful" project. Focusing on key areas such as infrastructure construction, health, green ecology, agricultural cooperation, water conservancy, forestry and grassland development, poverty alleviation and humanitarianism, education and training, which are "visible and tangible" for the people of the countries to be "seen and touched" and easy to enhance their sense of gain and happiness, we will further promote the construction of "small but beautiful" projects in the Belt and Road Initiative, and strive to create a number of new representative projects with demonstration effects. Encourage better and stronger brand projects such as "Juncao", promote Sino-foreign vocational education cooperation through Luban Workshop, etc., and steadily promote the pilot construction of overseas Chinese schools. We will further expand the "cooperation network of non-governmental organizations along the Silk Road" and carry out the "Bright Walk" in the co-construction countries. We will give full play to the role of foreign aid funds, do a solid job in promoting poverty alleviation and food security through foreign aid, build a number of landmark projects to promote poverty alleviation and food security cooperation, and continue to build flagship projects for development cooperation.
(2) Coordinate and strengthen risk prevention and control, and establish and improve a systematic security system
First, we should adhere to the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. Uphold the concept of common security, coordinate the maintenance of security in traditional and non-traditional domains, and coordinate the promotion of security governance. Make full use of platforms such as the UN General Assembly and relevant committees, the Security Council, relevant agencies and other relevant international and regional organizations to build consensus on the international community's response to security challenges. Strengthen multilateral and bilateral cooperation in the field of security, actively deepen cooperation in law enforcement, joint exercises, joint training and patrols, and help relevant countries improve their security capabilities and promote the building of a world of universal security.
The second is to improve the level of systemic risk prevention and control capabilities. Strengthen communication and docking among the countries that jointly build the Belt and Road, strengthen the sense of security community, jointly refine and improve security measures, and strengthen the security of Belt and Road projects and personnel. Guide enterprises to implement the main responsibility of risk prevention and control, enhance the awareness and ability of risk prevention and control, effectively do a good job in the comprehensive assessment of risks before "going out", standardize overseas business behavior, strengthen risk source control, and pre-set risk prevention and control gates, so as to achieve "early detection, early warning, and early prevention". We will continue to promote the in-depth development of international anti-corruption cooperation, insist that all international cooperation operate under the sun, launch the "High-level Principles for the Belt and Road Initiative", establish a "Belt and Road" enterprise integrity compliance evaluation system, cooperate in the "Belt and Road" integrity research and training, and work with all parties to build a clean and honest Silk Road.
(3) Coordinate and improve mechanisms and platforms, and deepen and expand multilateral and bilateral practical cooperation
The first is to strengthen the docking of strategic planning. In an orderly manner, we will promote effective docking with countries with a good foundation for cooperation and strong willingness to cooperate around their respective development strategies and cooperation plans, identify the combination points and docking points for deepening pragmatic cooperation, and achieve complementary advantages and synergy, so as to produce the effect of "one plus one is greater than two". Establish and improve the coordination mechanism for the implementation of the cooperation plan in a timely manner, strengthen communication and docking, and actively carry out bilateral cooperation in various fields under the framework of the cooperation plan, so as to form more visible results and promote common prosperity and development.
The second is to strengthen the construction of the Belt and Road cooperation platform. We will continue to host the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation with high quality, and provide an important platform for all parties to deepen exchanges, enhance mutual trust and close exchanges. In the "Belt and Road" International Alliance of Scientific Organizations, the "Belt and Road" Lawyers Alliance, the "Belt and Road" International Alliance for Green Development, the "Belt and Road" Energy Partnership, the "Belt and Road" Tax Collection and Administration Cooperation Mechanism, the "Belt and Road" International Cooperation Mechanism for Natural Disaster Prevention and Emergency Management, the "Belt and Road" News Cooperation Alliance, the "Belt and Road" International Think Tank Cooperation Committee, the "Belt and Road" International Rule of Law Cooperation Committee, the "Belt and Road" National Publishing Cooperation, and the "Belt and Road" Under the framework of cooperation platforms in professional fields such as the documentary academic community, strengthen multi-level and multi-channel communication and consultation, and deepen cooperation in key areas. We will do a good job in organizing economic and trade cooperation platforms such as the Boao Forum for Asia, the China International Import Expo, the China Import and Export Fair, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the China International Fair for Investment and Trade, the Global Digital Trade Expo, the China-ASEAN Expo, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, the China-Arab States Expo, and the China-CEEC Expo, so as to further promote economic and trade cooperation along the Belt and Road. Support the joint construction of national and local governments and non-governmental excavation of the historical and cultural heritage of the "Belt and Road", jointly organize special economic, trade and cultural exchange activities, hold international exchange activities such as the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo, hold the "Liangzhu Forum", and deepen the dialogue between civilizations with the co-construction countries.
Third, we should give full play to the role of multilateral and bilateral cooperation mechanisms. We will work with the countries to strengthen multilateral cooperation platforms in the fields of energy, taxation, finance, green development, disaster risk reduction, anti-corruption, think tanks, media, and culture, and hold ministerial conferences or other forms of international conferences to provide support for practical cooperation in various professional fields. Support multilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the G20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the BRICS, the Greater Tumen Initiative, the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation, and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation to play a constructive role, strengthen macro policy coordination, strengthen communication with relevant countries, and deepen practical cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative.
(4) Coordinate the improvement of policy services and enhance all-round support and guarantees
The first is to strengthen the cultivation of international talents. We will build a scientific and effective mechanism for selecting and employing talents, strengthen talent training in key areas of the Belt and Road Initiative, and build an international and interdisciplinary talent team. Improve the system of introducing talents, improve the system of permanent residence for foreigners, and create a good working and living environment to attract high-level overseas talents.
The second is to build a foreign-related legal service system for the Belt and Road Initiative. Strengthen the construction of international commercial dispute resolution mechanisms, give full play to the functional role of international commercial dispute prevention and settlement organizations, improve the operating mechanism of international commercial courts, better play the role of international arbitration and commercial mediation, and optimize the "one-stop" diversified international commercial dispute resolution mechanism that organically connects litigation, mediation and arbitration. Actively and steadily promote the construction of an international commercial arbitration center and build a world-class arbitration institution. Give full play to the advantages of the International Commercial Expert Committee, strengthen the study and application of international law and national law, and actively participate in the formulation of international rules. Strengthen the establishment of foreign-related legal service institutions, and encourage law firms and others to carry out legal system and legal environment consulting services for key countries in the Belt and Road Initiative. Promote the joint construction of national legal databases, and strengthen international legal exchanges and cooperation.
5. Coordinate and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind
First, we need to deepen and expand the global partnership of equality, openness and cooperation. China calls on all countries to promote the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, adhere to dialogue and consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, win-win cooperation, exchanges and mutual learning, green and low-carbon, and jointly build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity. China will continue to develop friendly cooperation with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and promote the building of a new type of international relations. Promote coordination and benign interaction among major countries, and promote the building of a pattern of relations between major countries characterized by peaceful coexistence, overall stability, and balanced development. Adhere to the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and tolerance, goodwill and partnership with neighbors, and deepen friendship, mutual trust and integration of interests with neighboring countries. We should uphold the concept of sincerity, sincerity, amity and sincerity and the correct concept of justice and shared interests, and strengthen solidarity and cooperation with developing countries.
Second, we will continue to enrich and improve the connotation system for building a community with a shared future for mankind. Through the issuance of action plans and joint statements for building a bilateral community with a shared future, we will actively build a community with a shared future with friendly partners, promote more practical results, and better promote people's livelihood and well-being. We will adhere to sincerity, friendship, equality, justice and benefit, and put justice first, and promote the building of regional communities with a shared future in China-Africa, China-Arab States, China-Latin America, China-Pacific Island Countries, China-ASEAN, China-Central Asia, and Lancang-Mekong River, and set an example for the region and the world to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. We will deepen and strengthen the building of a community with a shared future for health, a community with a shared future in cyberspace, a community with a shared future for nuclear security, a community with a shared future for the oceans, and a community of life for man and nature, and make greater contributions to solving the global deficits in peace, development, security, and governance.
5. Prospects
China welcomes all parties to adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, and continue to strengthen all-round and multi-faceted exchanges and cooperation. China is ready to work with all parties to build a closer innovation partnership, strengthen innovation cooperation, support technology transfer, knowledge sharing and talent exchange, and jointly explore new growth drivers and development paths. We will build a closer partnership for connectivity, further enhance the connectivity and sharing of the world economy, build a platform for shared development and share development opportunities, so that all parties can share responsibilities, risks and results, and promote the building of a new global governance order that is more just and equitable. We will build a closer partnership for green development, respect the right of the countries to pursue green development, jointly safeguard global ecological security, and build a community of life for man and nature. We will build a closer open and inclusive partnership, support an open economy and an inclusive and non-discriminatory global market, create an open cooperation platform, and promote the building of an open world economy. We will build a closer partnership for building integrity, continue to build consensus on anti-corruption cooperation, deepen practical cooperation on anti-corruption, continue to optimize the business environment of the Clean Silk Road, and serve to ensure the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
China is ready to work with all parties to help each other, work together and work together, grasp the general trend of history, conform to the trend of the times, welcome the new development of the Belt and Road Initiative with higher quality and higher level, build an open, inclusive, interconnected and common development world, and contribute more Chinese wisdom to the great practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Quite a business proposal. The only industry omitted was arms makers.
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I find the lack of antagonistic language, the focus on cooperation and on working with international organizations like UNESCO plus the generally uplifting tone of this document noteworthy. I compare this with my own government’s (USA, Germany) initiatives and am envious of the leadership that the Chinese people happen to have. Thanks for posting this.
Thank you Karl, readers might find this report from Jeff J Brown sheds some context: https://www.greanvillepost.com/2023/11/26/a-critique-of-the-recent-article-in-the-new-yorker-magazine-by-evan-osnos-chinas-age-of-malaise/
There are some excellent background and data highlights that please the soul.