Vision China eyes BRI high-quality growth

Speakers attending the sixth session of Vision China - a series of talks hosted by China Daily - said the Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping about six years ago, has been a driving force for global development and will offer more opportunities for the international community.

The latest session of Vision China, under the theme "Belt and Road, Shared Future", was held at Beijing Language and Culture University on Saturday. It coincided with the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which was held from Thursday to Saturday.

The event aimed to tell the stories of the BRI from multiple perspectives and in a wider global context. It brought together international think tanks, policymakers, trade professionals and university students.

Weng Jieming, vice-chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, said in opening remarks that China's State-owned enterprises have actively participated in the BRI over the past six years, yielding impressive results in infrastructure connectivity.

"For further development, State-owned enterprises will continue to focus on better outcomes under the BRI by standing by the values of human progress and providing service with integrity during the construction of projects," Weng said. He also called for more university students, who formed the majority of the Vision China audience, to participate in BRI projects in their careers.

Zhao Jianguo, head of the International Communication Bureau of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Xi's keynote speech at the Belt and Road forum showed China's determination and pragmatism in further deepening reform and opening-up in the new era.

Zhao shared three points on BRI cooperation: First, the BRI needs to build consensus while upholding the spirit of extensive consultation, joint contributions and shared benefits; second, it needs to involve think tanks from around the globe, which have already been a driving force for the initiative; third, it needs an injection of youthful will and spirit.

He added that Vision China has established a good platform for leading experts, scholars and opinion leaders in related fields to have an exchange of thoughts with young people. The previous five Vision China events generated positive feedback from many parties, Zhao said.

Zhou Shuchun, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said the latest Vision China talks were held to celebrate the Belt and Road forum.

"We trust that with the strengthening of effective cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, China will provide new opportunities and serve as a powerful driving force for global development in the new era," he said. "And we trust that today's talks will help create consensus on the BRI as part of the efforts to build a global community with a shared future."