An animated rap video promoting the opening of the freight train route between China and Europe, which is viewed as a milestone in the Belt and Road Initiative, recently went viral on the internet and social media ahead of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation that was held in Beijing on Sunday and Monday.
Two thousand years ago the ancient network of trade routes known as the Silk Road stretched from China, through Asia, to as far as the United Kingdom. These routes heralded a new era of trade, opening up access to the East and West of the globe and resulting in booming trade and vibrant cultural exchanges.
When I first heard about the Belt and Road Initiative, I thought about something simple and straightforward - like a fragrant cup of tea.
Of all the hundreds of foreign participants at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Sunday and Monday, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Germany's Minister for Economics and Energy Brigitte Zypries could be the key messengers spreading the forum's consensus that tearing the walls apart can achieve common peace and prosperity.
Westerners may better remember the ancient terrestrial Silk Road, but a magnificent Chinese fleet, led by legendary explorer Zheng He reached East Africa as early as the 15th century. Six centuries later China and its companies are building up the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (as part of the Belt and Road Initiative). With ports, railroads and related economic activities, the maritime route will complement the land infrastructure along the Silk Road Economic Belt, which will connect Asia with Europe and Africa. What are the maritime route's main advantages and characteristics?
It seems suspicion is unavoidable for China: One moment it was accused of being a "free-rider" for allegedly doing too little; another moment it is being suspected, by the same people, of harboring ulterior motives for trying to fulfill what is expected of it as a "responsible power".
The decision by the ruling Minjoo Party in the Republic of Korea to push for a parliamentary hearing on the controversial deployment of a US missile defense system in the ROK is an important step toward de-escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
AS SHARED BICYCLES PROVE POPULAR, more companies are copying the model with things such as basketballs and umbrellas. However, some of these self-claimed "sharing" businesses are unlikely to succeed. Beijing News comments:
ON FRIDAY, A COMPUTER VIRUS CALLED "WANNACRY" hit about 100 countries worldwide. The ransom ware encrypted data on the computers, demanding payments of up to $600 to restore access. Beijing News comments:
ON WEDNESDAY, when a train entered the high-speed railway station in Xianyou city, East China's Fujian province, a female passenger suddenly rushed toward the edge of the platform with the aim of jumping in front of the train. She was intercepted by Weng Jianzhong, a member of staff at the station, and an accident narrowly avoided. The railway decided to reward Weng with 6,000 yuan ($870). Thepaper.cn comments:
Globalization is facing some challenges, as even economies championing economic liberalism and free trade have witnessed waves of anti-globalization, and rising uncertainties in geopolitics have added to the tensions between major powers. What can be done to recalibrate global governance and fix the woes plaguing the world economy?
Globalization is passing through testing times. On one hand are protectionists rallying for a retreat from free trade; on the other are mostly emerging economies striving to uphold inclusive growth. The Belt and Road Initiative belongs to the second camp and is expected to play a major role in reinvigorating the world economy.
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Raymond Zhou
Op Rana
Berlin Fang
Zhu Yuan
Huang Xiangyang
Chen Weihua
