Closer bonds urged along Belt and Road

Members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee on Friday discussed measures to promote closer people-to-people bonds among countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative at a consultation session in Beijing.

The biweekly session was held by the CPPCC National Committee, the country's top political advisory body. Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the session.

Wang stressed the importance of understanding that promoting people-to-people bonds is a crucial part of the Belt and Road Initiative and also a guarantee to ensure the steady development of the initiative.

He called for cooperation to promote friendship among the countries and closer bonds among the peoples so as to consolidate the social foundation for the Belt and Road development.

Ten CPPCC members offered proposals at the session. Thirty CPPCC members voiced their opinions via a mobile platform.

The CPPCC members agreed that China and countries along the Belt and Road enjoy high political mutual trust, strong economic complementarity and a long history of people-to-people exchanges.

Based on mutual benefit and mutual learning, relevant cooperation has brought tangible interests to countries involved in the initiative, said the members, who believed that there is a sound foundation for promoting closer people-to-people bonds.

However, the political advisers noted that the work also faces new challenges because the external environment for the Belt and Road cooperation is complicated as the world is undergoing once-in-acentury changes and the impact of COVID-19.

They urged more efforts to improve the work mechanism for promoting people-to-people bonds among the countries, and mobilize the initiative and creativity of the governments, enterprises, think tanks, media, social organizations and volunteers.

The advisers proposed that cooperation should be made for realizing both economic and social benefits and the cooperation should be more focused on improving people's livelihood and rallying the people.

They called for guiding overseas Chinese enterprises to abide by the laws of the host country, respect local customs, fulfill their social responsibilities and maintain a good image.

The advisers also put forward suggestions on overcoming language obstacles and exploring new means of exchanges and cooperation under the prevention and control of COVID-19.