Upon the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng published a signed article entitled “Join Hands to Sow the Seeds of Cooperation Harvest the Fruits of Development” in the mainstream media of Barbados The Advocate Newspaper. Following is the full context of Ambassador Yan’s article:
Join Hands to Sow the Seeds of Cooperation, Harvest the Fruits of Development
On April 26th, 2019, H.E. Xi Jinping,President of the People’s Republic of China, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. Speaking to heads of state and governments from 37 countries, President Xi called for high-quality and sustainable infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and pledged to make high-standard free trade deals with more countries. President Xi also reiterated China’s commitments to a more open business climate for foreign investors and more imports with lower tariffs.
Below are the key points from President Xi’s inspiring speech:
BRI opens new space for development
President Xi said that joint building of the Belt and Road has opened up new space for the world's economic growth. It has also created a new platform to boost international trade and investment, expanded new practices to optimize the global economic governance, and made new contributions to improving people's well-being of all countries.
High quality & high standard stressed
President Xi called on participants of the BRI to continuously advance the initiative along the path of high-quality development. The open, green and clean approaches should be adhered to and the goals of a high-standard, livelihood-improving and sustainable development should be achieved.
China will negotiate and sign high-standard free trade agreements with more countries.
Supporting 5,000 people BRI innovation exchanges
President Xi said that China will support 5,000 people from the innovation sector in Belt and Road countries in conducting exchanges, training programs and joint researches in the next five years.
China will work with other participants of the BRI to promote scientific and cultural exchanges, set up joint science labs, build science and technology parks, and promote transfer of technologies.
More open to foreign businesses & No forced technology transfer
President Xi said that China will allow foreign investors to operate businesses in more sectors with a controlling or full stake in the business.
China will step up in protecting the legitimate rights and interests of foreign owners of intellectual property rights, and prohibit the forced transfer of technology.
China will create a business environment in which the value of knowledge is respected.
China to increase imports, further lower tariffs
President Xi said that China will increase imports of goods and services on a larger scale and further lower its tariff rates. China would continuously open up its market and welcome quality products from around the world. China is willing to import more competitive farm produces, finished products and services.
Call for fairness on Chinese enterprises, students and scholars
President Xi urged all countries to create a sound investment environment, and treat Chinese enterprises, students and scholars abroad as equals. A fair and friendly environment is needed for them to carry out normal international exchanges and cooperation.
No beggar-thy-neighbor currency policy
President Xi said that China will not engage in beggar-thy-neighbor currency devaluation and continue to improve the exchange rate formation mechanism of its currency, the renminbi, and keep the exchange rate generally stable on a reasonable and balanced level.
An ancient Chinese philosopher observed that plants with strong roots grow well, and efforts with the right focus will ensure success. The Belt and Road cooperation embraces the historical trend of economic globalization, responds to the call for improving the global governance system and meets people’s longing for a better life.
China and Barbados maintain sound and friendly relationship with each other since establishing diplomatic relations in 1977. This February, the two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation within the Framework of the BRI in Beijing. Looking ahead to the future, China and Barbados will carry out more cooperation within the BRI framework,to join hands to sow the seed of cooperation, to harvest the fruit of development, to lift our bilateral relations and pragmatic cooperation to a higher level,so as to benefit peoples in our two countries.
