Belt, Road talk looks at ways to advance development

A seminar focusing on the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative was held in Beijing on Tuesday to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the BRI's inception.

The seminar, hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, gathered about 60 experts, scholars and representatives from government departments, academic bodies and business sectors from home and abroad.

Participants discussed the achievements of the BRI, as well as new measures to facilitate its development.

Xie Fuzhan, president of the CASS, said at the seminar: "After eight years of hard work, the joint construction of the initiative has completed the basic work and entered the stage of high-quality development.

"The practical results over the past eight years have fully demonstrated that the initiative conforms to the interests of the people of all countries and has broad prospects."

The seminar also unveiled the latest Chinese version of The Handbook of the Belt and Road, which looks at the development of the BRI and experiences related to it since the end of 2017.

Jeremy North, managing director of British publisher Taylor & Francis' books division, said the book has significant meaning for understanding international cooperation and the role China plays in the global community.

He said that the past few years have increasingly highlighted people's dependence on international cooperation and the complex interconnectedness of the modern world.

From the perspective of China's long-term policy and development role in the world, the book also has "regional, international and global significance", he added.

George N Tzogopoulos, a professor of international relations at Democritus University of Thrace in Greece, said international cooperation, including the BRI, could bring new hope to the international community.

He said that sincere cooperation was required on issues such as fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals, maintaining regional security, or responding to global climate change issues.

Proposed in 2013, the BRI has so far involved about 140 countries. As of July, China had signed 206 cooperation agreements to jointly promote the initiative.

Xinhua contributed to this story.