Wang Yi on High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation: An Engine of the Common Development of All Countries and an Accelerator for the Modernization of the Whole World

On March 7, 2024, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi envisioned future high-quality Belt and Road cooperation when he met the press during the NPC and CPPCC sessions.

Wang Yi said since President Xi Jinping put forward the BRI more than 10 years ago, Belt and Road cooperation has produced fruitful outcomes. The BRI has become the most popular global public good and the largest platform for international cooperation. It has also become a pathway to cooperation, opportunity and prosperity for partner countries seeking joint development. At the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, President Xi Jinping announced eight major steps that China would take, marking a new stage in high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation. China will work with all parties to uphold the Silk Road spirit, deliver on the outcomes of the Forum, and usher in a second golden decade of Belt and Road cooperation.

China will promote the upgrading of physical connectivity. China will continue to develop a multidimensional global infrastructure connectivity network that is high-quality, sustainable and resilient and covers sea, land and air. China will accelerate the development of a digital Silk Road, redouble efforts to build a green Silk Road, and work with BRI partners in addressing various new challenges. 

China will promote the strengthening of institutional connectivity. China will stay committed to the principle of "planning together, building together and benefiting together," stick to the philosophy of open, green and clean cooperation, and keep to the goal of pursuing high-standard, people-centered and sustainable cooperation. China will seek greater synergy between the BRI and the development strategies of all sides, promote both signature projects and small and beautiful programs, and make active efforts for an open world economy. China wants to make the BRI a lasting opportunity shared by all.

China will promote the deepening of people-to-people connectivity. China will have more inter-civilizational dialogue among BRI partners, support nongovernmental and subnational exchanges, and carry out a wide range of cultural and people-to-people interactions, so that the Silk Road spirit will take hold in people's hearts.

Wang Yi stressed the type of modernization China pursues is not one that benefits China alone. China hopes that high-quality Belt and Road cooperation will serve as an engine of the common development of all countries and an accelerator for the modernization of the whole world.