Home> Local

Maritime Silk Road think tank high-end forum held in Pingtan

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2016-12-14

  Print Mail Large Medium  Small 0

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road think tank high-end forum was held in Pingtan, Fujian province on Nov 30. More than 70 scholars from universities across the country gathered together to explore the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, is a plan to revive trade among China and countries along the ancient Silk Belt and the 21st Maritime Silk Road.

As the closest city to Taiwan on the mainland, Pingtan boasts prominent geographical advantages and plays an important role in the development of the 21st Maritime Silk Road.

Xie Lianhui, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), said that The Belt and Road Initiative shall boost economic development and cultural exchanges among the included countries, building a shared vision for common prosperity through regional cooperation.

Ye Xiangdong, deputy director of the Fuzhou Association of Marine Economy, said in addition to building itself into an international tourism island, Pingtan should also take advantage to its prominent geographical location on the 21st Maritime Silk Road to promote cultural and economic exchanges and communication with Taiwan.

Jin Dezhu, a South Korean scholar who is currently working at Zhejiang Ocean University, has great interest in the soon to be built underground channel linking Pingtan and Taiwan. He said the channel shall further promote the communication and exchanges among the countries along the Belt and Road, especially between China and South Korea, making Pingtan an important transportation hub on the 21st Maritime Silk Road.

Xu Anyong, professor at the Party school of the Fuzhou Municipal Committee of CPC, made a keynote speech on how Pingtan promotes innovative development under the guidance of the Belt and Road Initiative that was highly appreciated by the scholars present.

Xu said, “Pingtan’s development draws great significance to cross-Straits economic cooperation. It should make the most of its own resources to attract more Taiwan talent and companies to settle in the city. Additionally, the government should also roll out more preferential policies, creating a favorable investment and trade environment.”

Maritime Silk Road think tank high-end forum held in Pingtan

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road think tank high-end forum was held in Pingtan, Fujian province on Nov 30. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]