Belt and Road Cooperation In a New Decade - Speech by Chairman Luo Zhaohui at the Sub-forum on Fostering High-Quality Development Within Belt and Road Initiative of the 2023 China Economic and Social Forum

Belt and Road Cooperation In a New Decade

Speech by Chairman Luo Zhaohui at the Sub-forum on Fostering High-Quality Development Within Belt and Road Initiative of the 2023 China Economic and Social Forum

(15:00 November 15, CPPCC Auditorium) 

Ambassador Liu Jieyi,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to participate in today's event.

For BRI，the first 10 years have passed, anniversary celebration has done, remarkable progress has been achieved.

For us, what we are going to do for next 10 years in this unstable world is a big question we are facing.

Shortly after the Third BRI Forum for International Cooperation (BRF), it's of special significance to hold today's sub-forum.

We should continue to respond to the global trend, maintain the momentum of our efforts, and make great success in the future days. I would like to share my insights as following:

First, enhancing coordination to connect relevant parties' initiatives. At the BRF, President Xi Jinping put forward eight major steps, emphasizing the establishment of a global connectivity network that is open, multi-dimensional and complementary. Any connectivity and development initiative would have our support, as long as it benefits global and regional development, and can be realized. Further efforts are required to link the initiatives of all parties to reach integration of concepts, coordination in actions, regardless of geopolitical factors.

The BRI has mobilized many initiatives and plans from different countries, such as the Build Back Better World (B3W), the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and the Global Gateway. I know the British Columbia Province of Canada has proposed the Asia-Pacific Gateway program, which could be connected to China’s Maritime Silk Road, when I was Ambassador to Canada 10 years ago. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is extending northward to Afghanistan and Central Asia, and westward to Iran, Türkiye and Europe. All these plans and initiatives  can be part of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind and the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

Second, reinforcing co-construction to link with the SDGs. In recent years, the world has been confronted with the deviation from development issues, clear slowdown in the implementation of the SDGs. Against this backdrop, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI) two years ago. The GDI, an important supplement to and expansion of the BRI, aims to link with and accelerate progress on the SDGs, rebuild development consensus, promote common development. Last year, President Xi Jinping announced 32 major measures to implement it.

So far, over 100 countries and international organizations including the UN support the GDI. My agency, China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), has established the Global Development Promotion Center, the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund with 4 billion USD. We also mobilized a special fund of 12 billion USD from domestic and foreign financial institutions, established a Global Development Project Pool and a Capital Pool. Over 200 "small yet smart" projects have been implemented.

Of course, the BRI and the GDI are designed to achieve shared development and accelerate the realization of the SDGs, but both aim beyond the SDGs. The SDGs' deadline is 2030, so the BRI and the GDI echo the UN Summit of the Future next year.

Third, advancing with the times to expand dimensions to the BRI cooperation. The BRI highlights the priority on infrastructure connectivity. Now, in the post-COVID19 economic recovery, most developing countries expect narrowing the development gap, promoting  sustainable development, attaching importance to climate change, digital economy, and artificial intelligence, among others. Currently, energy, petrochemicals, mining, and transportation account for 70 percent of the BRI investment. We need to link with the development strategies of relevant countries, properly adjust the investment layout. We need to shore up weaknesses of service trade, facilitate the integration of advanced manufacturing and modern service industries, traditional industries and green digital industries. We also should optimize the construction of the BRI industry and supply chains.

At the BRF, President Xi Jinping proposed the establishment of a secretariat for the forum. It's a common platform following the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, to better link policies, integrate planning and coordinate actions.

Fourth, coordinating development and security to foster global development trend. Development and security are closely linked. In recent years, the world has been facing with profound changes unseen in a century, intensified major power competition, increasing geopolitical conflicts, and surging unilateralism. We have to seek security in development and realize better and faster development based on security. First, we should consolidate the consensus on the SDGs, the BRI and the GDI, concentrate development efforts and uphold true multilateralism. Second, we should emphasize the UN's driving force, strengthen comprehensive coordination. Now, particular attention must be paid to the resolution of regional hotspots and conflicts. Third, we should promote North-South cooperation in a coordinated and cooperative way. Fourth, China will make consistent efforts to put more resources into the BRI and the GDI, combine bilateral and multilateral efforts, and work with all partners to adopt an integrated approach to realize common development.

Thank you all!