Platform builds cooperation between countries and boosts economic growth

The Second Shanghai Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative was held on Wednesday in Shanghai amid the Eighth World Forum on China Studies, bringing together 60 international experts to discuss the promotion of high-quality Belt and Road Initiative partnerships.

"The initiative is entirely open to all countries and regions, and we have seen its global growth gaining momentum," Zhang Daogen, president of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said during the keynote speech.

In the financial and economic arenas, Zhang said, the initiative pushes forward international rules and accelerates global dialogues.

"It also facilitates interconnectivity and interdependence among the Belt and Road Initiative countries. We also believe BRI is based on economic cooperation and development, both in China and internationally," he added.

In terms of culture, Wang Zhan, president of the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations, stressed that China and the BRI countries have benefited from each other.

"People learn from each other through cultural exchanges and the initiative boosts this communication between China and the rest of the world, advancing mutual civilization covering food, dance and music," he added.

Lee Sze Wei, president of Tunku Abdul Rahman University College in Malaysia, highlighted the significance of talent cultivation during the implementation of the BRI.

Lee has conducted an initial investigation on the topic. The investigation has found that about 15,000 colleges and universities are in the BRI regions with diverse education resources regarding academic standards and technology.

"More multilateral and multilingual cooperation and exchanges in higher education can be achieved in the future," he said. "Modes of collaboration are limitless, such as study tours, joint-ventures and research and development cooperation."

The forum also included several panels focused on the BRI.

Experts put forward building an open, inclusive, pragmatic and effective model of international cooperation and promoting third-party market cooperation, such as connections between China and Japan or South Korea. They said they believe that it will help enterprises inject new power into the economic development of all countries.

Participants emphasized sustainable development during implementation of the BRI, which will create a brighter future for the whole world.

Experts also reached a consensus to create a fair, convenient business environment, which is the basic element for economic growth, to attract foreign investment.

They pointed out that a healthy business environment will reduce the transaction costs of trade and strengthen the high-quality development for win-win results and common prosperity.

Huang Kunming, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the past six years have seen the initiative evolve to become the largest platform for international cooperation.

"The BRI has fueled economic development in participating countries and promoted global growth. More than 160 countries and international organizations are involved, making it a truly global consensus," Huang said at the opening ceremony of the world forum on Tuesday. "The initiative is now reaching an early harvest and has a promising future of great expectations."

The world forum concluded on Wednesday.