Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (L), who is also Chinese ...

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (L), who is also Chinese Special Representative on China-India Boundary Question, shakes hands with Indian National Security

Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi on March 23, 2015. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

VOL. XXVII No. 4 April 2015 Rs. 20.00

Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le Yucheng visited the headquarter of Indian English Newspaper The Hindu in Chennai

on March 30 and met with N. Ram and N. Ravi, the chairpersons

of the newspaper.

The Delhi Office of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) held its opening reception on April 9th 2015 in New Delhi. Chinese Ambassador Mr. Le Yucheng, Indian Railway Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu and 150 personages were present.

Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le Yucheng visited the Indian Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents on April 1th 2015. He gave a lecture to participants on the 65th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations.

On March 26, Chinese Embassy held an Exhibition of Fine Arts of Contemporary China in New Delhi to mark the 65th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and India. Chinese Ambassador Mr. Le Yucheng addressed the meeting.

Mr. Le Yucheng, Chinese Ambassador to India met with Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on March 25 and exchanged views with him on promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

On March 30, Mr. Le Yucheng , the Chinese Ambassador to India met with Mr. O Panneerselvam , Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu during his visit to Chennai and discussed with him on bilateral cooperation.

CONTENTS

CHINA INDIA RELATIONS

1. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi Meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi 42. The Eighteenth Special Representatives' Meeting on the China-India Boundary Question 5

Held in New Delhi3. China to Boost Partnership with India 7

4. Ambassador Le Yucheng's Interview with The Hindu 8

5. “Belt and Road Initiative”: China and India Play the Symphony Together 14

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

1. China, Vietnam Pledge Closer Friendship, Partnership 202. 54th Annual Session of AALCO Opens, Chinese Premier Delivers Keynote Speech 223. Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin Meets with Wang Yi 234. Wang Yi Talks about the Negotiation on the Iranian Nuclear Issue 255. AIIB Founders Finalized at 57 26

2015 BOAO FORUM FOR ASIA

1. Towards a Community of Common Destiny and A New Future for Asia 272. Chinese President Meets with Foreign Leaders During Boao Forum 353. Boao Forum Opens to Push Asian Development, Integration 444. A-Z of 2015 Boao Forum for Asia in Spotlight 46

REVIVING THE SILK ROAD

1. "Belt and Road": Not China's Solo But Inspiring Chorus 48

2. Jointly Build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road By Deepening Mutual Trust and Enhancing Connectivity 50

3. Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road 53

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

1. Building the Beautiful Homeland Together with Indian People 692. China Eyes Innovation in Face of Economic "New Normal" 71

CULTURE & LIFE

1. A Literary Comeback 732. Popular Chinese TV Dramas Overseas 76

3. The Museum City in Northwest China----Xi'an 78

4. A Glance in the Season of Flowers 82

TIBET TODAY

1. China Issues White Paper on Tibet 84

2. Long-term Prosperity, Stability Stressed for China's Tibetan Regions 84

3. Lighting Up the Highest Place in the World 86

CCTV NEWS YOUR LINK TO CHINA AND THE WORLD 89CRI A BRIDGE OF FRIENDSHIP 90

China India Relations News From China April 2015 4

CHINA INDIA RELATIONS

On March 24 local time, Prime Minister

Narendra Modi of India met in New Delhi with

visiting State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

Narendra Modi expressed that President Xi

Jinping paid a successful visit to India last year,

which remains fresh in the Indian people’s

memory. He asked Yang Jiechi to convey his

sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping and

Premier Li Keqiang, and expressed his

willingness to visit China and exchange in-

depth views with Chinese leaders on further

developing India-China relations, sending a

positive signal to the international community

that India and China are committed to

promoting friendly cooperation. Narendra Modi

stated that bilateral relations are rapidly

advancing along the right course set by the

leaders of the two countries, which not only

benefits the two countries and peoples but also

will exert a positive influence on Asia and the

world at large.

Yang Jiechi conveyed sincere greetings

from Chinese leaders to Narendra Modi. He

said that both countries are speeding up the

implementation of the results yielded by

President Xi Jinping’s visit to India and will

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi Meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) meets with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi in New Delhi on March 24, 2014. Narendra Modi told Yang Jiechi that he is ardently expecting to visit China soon to exchange views with Chinese leaders on furthering the

bilateral relations. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

5News From China April 2015 China India Relations

actively prepare for Prime Minister Narendra

Modi’s visit to China. As the two largest

developing countries in the world, China and

India joining hands for cooperation and

building a closer development partnership

will conduce to their respective development

as well as peace, stability and development of

the region and the world at large. China will

work with India to constantly deepen mutual

trust, actively expand cooperation and push

bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to

new highs.

The Eighteenth Special Representatives' Meeting on the China-India Boundary Question Held in New Delhi

On March 23, 2015, the 18th Special

Representatives’ Meeting on the China-India

boundary question was held in New Delhi. Yang

J i e c h i , S t a t e C o u n c i l o r a n d s p e c i a l

representative on the Chinese side and Ajit

Doval, the special representative on the Indian

side and Indian National Security Adviser,

exchanged in-depth views on the boundary

question and had strategic communication on

bilateral relations and international and

regional issues of common concern.

Both sides believed that the successful visit

to India paid by President Xi Jinping last

September charted the course and drew a

blueprint for China-India strategic cooperation

in the next five to ten years. Both sides would

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (L), who is also Chinese Special Representative on China-India Boundary Question, shakes hands with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India on March 23, 2015. The 18th round of talks on China-India Boundary Question was held here on the same day. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

6 News From China April 2015

join efforts to implement the important

consensus reached by the leaders of the two

countries, maintain the momentum of high-

level mutual visits, and constantly advance

China-India strategic and cooperative

partnership.

The two sides reviewed the positive

progress achieved at the previous special

representatives’ meetings over the past years

and stressed to continue advancing the

progress of framework negotiation along a

right track on the basis of the realized results

and consensus while taking the big picture of

bilateral relations and the long-term

i n t e r e s t s o f t h e t w o p e o p l e s i n t o

consideration. Both sides reaffirmed to

properly manage and control conflicts and

join efforts to maintain the peace and

tranquility in the boundary area before the

boundary issue is finally settled.

Both sides noted that as important

neighbors, China and India are the two largest

developing nations and emerging markets with

the most vitality in the current world. The

development of China-India relations bears on

the benefits of the two peoples and exerts

influences on the peace and development of the

region and the world at large. Both sides should

join efforts to promote practical cooperation in

various fields, further enhance coordination

and cooperation in international and regional

affairs, build a closer development partnership,

and make more contributions to the peace and

development in the world.

China, India Aim to Maintain

Border Peace

Beijing, March 24 (Xinhuanet) — Chinese

State Councilor Yang Jiechi is on a state visit to

India. After the first day of talks, China’s foreign

ministry said both countries have agreed to

maintain peace along Himalayan border while

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (2nd R), who is also Chinese Special Representative on China-India Boundary Question, meets with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval (2nd L) during the 18th round of talks on China-India Boundary Question at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, March 23, 2015. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

China India Relations

7News From China April 2015

resolving boundary issues.

Yang met Indian National Security Advisor

Ajit Doval Monday to discuss bilateral ties.

The aims of the talks are to fix disputes over

the border that divides Asia’s largest nations

and to form part of efforts to make progress on

bilateral ties in the lead up to Modi’s visit to

China in May.

The last round of special representative

talks took place during President Xi Jinping’s

visit to New Delhi last September.

These came after Modi had raised concerns

about incidents of transgressions along the

border.

China to Boost Partnership with India

Beijing, April 14 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang said China will boost contacts and cooperation with India to enhance bilateral strategic cooperative partnership.

Wang made the remarks during a recent meeting with Nara Chandrababu Naidu, President of Telugu Desam Party and chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, in Beijing, according to an official press release on Tuesday.

Party-to-party communications and exchanges at the local level are important components of the relationship between the two countries, said Wang.

The vice premier stressed that China will further implement its neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness so as to push forward China-India ties in the year marking the 65 anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic relations.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang (R) meets with Nara Chandrababu Naidu, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and President of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), in Beijing, capital of China, April 13, 2015. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)



Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le

Yucheng visited the headquarter of Indian

English Newspaper The Hindu on March 30,

2015. The Newspaper published the interview

to the Ambassador on March 1. The full text is as

follows:

1. Last September, Chinese President Xi

Jinping paid a state visit to India. How’s the

implementation of the decisions taken

during President Xi’s visit coming along?

A: Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state

visit to India last September. This was the

second state visit by a Chinese President to

India in the span of eight years. President Xi was

also the first head of state of a major country to

visit India after the formation of the new

government. The leaders of our two countries

reached consensus on building China-India

closer development partnership, charted out a

blueprint for development of our bilateral

relations in the next five-ten years and opened

up a new chapter for our relationship.

As we know, during President Xi’s visit to

India, China and India signed twelve

a g re e m e n t s o n t ra d e a n d e c o n o m i c

cooperation, covering fields like industrial

parks, railways, credit and leasing, with

cumulative amount of investment and financing

of 13 billion US dollars.

Right now we are stepping up efforts to

implement the outcomes of President Xi’s visit. I

receive various Chinese delegations visiting

India almost every day, and I have met with

many ministers and other important members

of government, visited some Indian cities,

including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and

Amritsar. Through these meetings and visits, I

deeply feel that bilateral cooperation is in full

swing, especially in the fields of trade and

investment. Railways is undoubtedly the focus

Ambassador Le Yucheng's Interview with The Hindu



of our cooperation. Experts from both sides

have met several times and positive progress

has been made. The feasibility studies of speed

raising project on Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysore

section and railway station renovation projects

will be finished soon. Dozens of Indian experts

have gone to China to receive training in heavy

haul transportation. The feasibility study for

1754 km long Delhi-Chennai high-speed rail

corridor by the China Railway Siyuan Survey

and Design Group is in full swing. Chinese

companies are also involved in the bidding for

feasibility studies of the other sections of high-

speed rail. China-India railways cooperation

has bright prospects.

The work on the Chinese industrial parks in

Pune and Vadodara is going on in full swing.

Construction in the Pune automobile industrial

park, where the plan is to invest $ 5 billion in

three phases until 2030, will start soon. The

industrial park will create around one lakh jobs

and an annual output of 20 billion US dollars on

its completion. A well-known Chinese private

company Sany has also set up factories in Pune

and created hundreds of jobs locally. I recently

attended the inauguration ceremony of

Huawei’s R&D center in Bengaluru and found

that the center employs more than 2,000 local

employees. China Huaneng Group will also

invest 3 billion US dollars in Gujarat to build

4000MW coal-fired power plants. Alibaba,

Xiaomi and other Chinese companies are also

eager to invest in India.

The year 2015 is being observed as the

“Visit India Year” in China. The Indian External

Minister Sushma Swaraj attended its launch

ceremony held in Beijing in February this year.

Now the number of Chinese citizens visiting

India is growing rapidly. It is often difficult to get

an airline ticket for the flight between China and

India. The number of Chinese tourists visiting

India in the last two months grew by 10 percent

over the same period last year. If India

streamlines and facilitates the issuing of tourist

visa to the Chinese tourists, I believe the

number of Chinese visitors will grow much

faster.

It is particularly worth mentioning that both

sides have agreed upon a package plan on the

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra to the Tibet

Autonomous Region of China through Nathula

Pass. We hope that this summer the first group

of Indian pilgrims will go to Kailash

Manasarovar through the new route. The new

pilgrimage route is accessible by cars, fast,

convenient and secure. The two sides have also

actively engaged in cultural exchanges recently.

During the traditional Chinese Spring Festival,

China Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe visited New

Delhi and Gujarat and gave performances,

which were immensely liked by the audience.

On March 26, the Exhibition of Fine Artworks of

Contemporary China opened to a warm

reception in Delhi. Pragmatic bilateral

cooperation in the economic, cultural and other

fields between the two countries has laid down

a solid foundation for building a closer

development partnership.

2. Prime Minister Modi will visit China in

May. As the Chinese Ambassador to India,

what’s your expectation to this visit?

A: Last September, President Xi Jinping paid

a historic visit to India. The picture of the two

leaders operating the spinning wheel in Gujarat,

the home state of the Prime Minister Modi, has

spread far and wide in China. The Chinese

people believe in reciprocating the courtesy of

others. So I’m sure when Prime Minister Modi

visits China later this year, he will be warmly

welcomed by the Chinese government and

people.

PM Modi’s first visit to China since becoming

prime minister is the highlight of China-India

relations in this year. China attaches great

importance to this visit. The two sides are in

close communication on this visit. Indian

External Minister’s visit to China in February

and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi’s visit to

India recently attests to the fact that

preparations for PM Modi’s visit are in full



swing. During the visit, President Xi Jinping and

Premier Li Keqiang will hold comprehensive,

wide-ranging and in-depth discussions with

Prime Minister Modi on areas of bilateral,

strategic and pragmatic cooperation, cultural

and local exchange, and major international

issues. Prime Minister Modi will have an

opportunity to communicate with China’s

business people, young students and ordinary

people. The companies from both sides are also

preparing a series of cooperative projects. If

they arrive at consensus then the agreements

could be worth no less than $ 10 billion dollars.

In short, this visit will be an important and

fruitful visit, which will effectively enrich the

connotation of closer development partnership

between the two countries, and promote China-

India relations to a new level.

3. China has put forward the “Belt and

Road” initiatives. How does this initiative

contribute to India-China Relations?

A: The “Belt and Road” initiatives put

forward by China aims at achieving the common

development and prosperity for the various

countries along the “Silk Road Economic Belt”

and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” by

linking the past with the present, landmass with

the seas and the development strategies of the

various countries. The Vision and Actions of the

initiative have just been issued by the Chinese

government. The initiative will forge the four

billion people from more than sixty countries in

Asia, Europe and Africa into a community of

common destiny and common interest. If I may

use a musical metaphor, it is not China’s solo, but

a symphony performed by all the relevant

countries. The “Belt and Road” initiatives will

observe the principles of discussing together,

building together and sharing together, through

policy coordination, road connectivity,

unimpeded trade, monetary circulation and

mutual understanding between the peoples.

These initiatives have been put forward to

promote economic cooperation, and are not

driven by geopolitics, or an attempt to seek

sphere of influence.



Since the launch of these initiatives,

significant headway has been made in building

new mechanisms and laying down new policy

framework. More than fifty countries along the

Belt and the Road have expressed support for

the initiatives; China has either already signed

or is in the process of signing the “One Belt, One

Road” cooperation agreements with several

countries. A set of programmes involving

building infrastructure, setting up of industries

and boosting people-to-people contacts have

already been started. The first Central Asia

International Freight Train from Lianyungang

(J iangsu Province), China to Almaty,

Kazakhstan began operation on February 25th.

The construction of Line D of the China-Central

Asia natural gas pipeline project has already

begun. The eastern route of the China-Russia

natural gas pipeline project will be constructed

very soon and the agreement on the western

route will be signed shortly. All the above

projects mark the early harvest of the

initiatives. The founding of Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank has not only been welcomed

by the Asian countries, but developed

countries, including France, Germany, Britain,

Canada have also clearly expressed willingness

to join it. The bank currently has 41 prospective

founding member countries.

India enjoys unique geographical location,

was a significant country along the ancient silk

roads and spice route, and is situated at the

unique crossing point of the contemporary Belt

and Road. India is China’s natural and

significant cooperation partner in promoting

the “Belt and Road” initiatives. Last year, India

became one of the first prospective founding

members of the Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank and hosted its second chief

negotiators’ meeting in Mumbai in late January

this year. In the second half of this year, India

will also host the third meeting of BCIM

Economic Corridor Joint Working Group. All

these reflect positive and cooperative attitude

of India to the “Belt and Road” initiatives. China

is willing to strengthen the communication and

coordination with India, to link the “Belt and

Road” initiatives with India’s “Spice Route” and

“Mausam” projects, and bring tangible benefits

to the peoples in our two countries and

throughout the region.

4. What’s your comment on the 18th

Special Representatives’ Meeting on the

China-India boundary question?

A: On March 23, 2015, the 18th Special

Representatives’ Meeting on the China-India

boundary question was held in New Delhi. Yang

J i e c h i , S t a t e C o u n c i l o r a n d s p e c i a l

representative on the Chinese side and Ajit

Doval, the special representative on the Indian

side and Indian National Security Adviser,

exchanged in-depth views on the boundary

question and had strategic communication on

bilateral relations and international and

regional issues of common concern. This is the

first boundary question talk since the Indian

new government took office, as well as the

appointment the Indian new Special

Representative. The meeting was in a friendly

and candid atmosphere.

The two sides reviewed the positive

progress achieved at the previous special

representatives’ meetings over the past years

and stressed to continue advancing the progress

of framework negotiation along a right track on

the basis of the realized results and consensus

while taking the big picture of bilateral relations

and the long-term interests of the two peoples

into consideration. Both sides reaffirmed to

properly manage and control conflicts and join

efforts to maintain the peace and tranquility in

the boundary area before the boundary

question is finally settled.

As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on

the press conference held by the Third Session

of the Twelfth National People’s Congress, the

China-India boundary question is a legacy of

history. At the moment, the boundary

negotiation is in the process of building up small

positive developments. It is like climbing a

mountain. The going is tough and that is only

because we are on the way up. This is all the



more reason that we should do more to

strengthen China-India cooperation, so that we

can enable and facilitate the settlement of the

boundary question.

5. There is a trade imbalance between

India and China, with India’s trade deficit of

$37.8 billion. Bilateral trade in 2014 topped

$ 70.6 billion. How can we correct this

imbalance?

A: The Chinese side does not like trade

surplus and prefers balanced trade. China takes

the Indian concern of trade imbalance very

seriously. Although the main reason for our

trade imbalance lies in the objective factors like

difference in industrial structures of our two

countries, we are willing to provide

opportunities to increase India’s exports to

China.

Since 2008, the Ministry of Commerce of

China has sent six trade promotion delegations

to boost imports from India. China warmly

welcomes the Indian side to expand trade with

China through various trading platforms, such

as China-South Asia Expo and China Import and

Export Fair (Canton Fair), and also the Import

Promotion Centres recently built in Shanghai,

Tianjin and other cities. In order to increase the

popularity of the Indian products, China also

welcomes various Indian chambers of

commerce to hold product promotion events in

China. Besides, China hopes that India would

ease restrictions on exporting its competitive

products such as iron ore etc. to China, reduce

tariffs and encourage Indian companies to

export more agricultural products.

To encourage the Chinese enterprises to

invest in India and participate in the “Make in

India” campaign, the key is to reduce

restrictions on the business visa for Chinese

business people and streamline the procedures.

More Chinese businessmen will bring more

investment, which will help in improving

bilateral trade balance.

6. There is a sense in some media that

China’s cooperation with South Asian

countries is part of a policy of encirclement.

What’s your comment on it?

A: China adheres to peaceful development.

China does not have any tradition of expansion,

or any intention to expand. India suffered

invasion and occupation by other major powers

in history, while China as the largest neighbor,

always kept friendly relations with India, kept

up civilization communication and exchange,

and has never conspired against India or other

neighboring countries.

Cooperation between China with South

Asian countries is based on the foundation of

common development. South Asian countries

are willing to cooperate with China, and ride the

Chinese express train of rapid development.

China is also willing to share development

opportunities with South Asian countries.

Cooperation between China and South Asian

countries is open, transparent, and beneficial to

all the concerned countries. There are no

ulterior motives and no need for India to worry.

China is also willing to work with India to

conduct trilateral cooperation and multilateral

cooperation in the region, to achieve win-win

cooperation and common development.

7. What’s your view on India and US

promoting cooperation?

A: China and India are the two largest

developing countries in the world and the U.S. is

the biggest developed country in the world. The

combined GDP and population of these three

countries account for almost 40% of the world.

As President Xi Jinping has said on relations

between Beijing and Washington, “the vast

Pacific Ocean has ample space to accommodate

our two great nations” and on relations

between Beijing and New Delhi, “If we speak

with one voice, the whole world will listen.” As

long as we collectively show enough foresight,

courage and open-mindedness, China, India

and the U.S. can express similar understanding

in three different languages of Chinese, Hindi

and English, thus we can realize the trans-

Pacific Ocean and trans-Indian Ocean


13News From China April 2015 China India Relations

cooperation in the 21st century.

At the end of last year, Jack Ma, founder

of Alibaba, mentioned during his India

visit that Alibaba has had a 15-year

business-to-business relationship with

Indian vendors. 400,000 Chinese are

buying tea and spices etc. from India

through Alibaba and around 1.3 million

I n d i a n v e n d o r s a r e d o i n g b o o m i n g

business on Alibaba platforms. Alibaba’s

successful listing at the New York Stock

Exchange is a glowing testimony of the

intertwined interests of and win-win

cooperation between China-India-US.

Social systems in China, the U.S. and India

are different, the historical and cultural

backgrounds are also different, however the

interests of the three countries are mutually

intertwined, and hence “mutual respect” is

especially important in our relationships.

Every side should respect each other’s core

interests and concerns, must respect each

other’s choice of the path of development, must

recognize that common interests are far greater

than differences, and must continue to enhance

understanding, broaden common ground and

deepen mutual trust through dialogue and

consultation. Only then we would able to seek

common ground and further expand it while

narrowing down differences, and would able to

take the road of peaceful cooperation never

taken before. China, India and the U.S. have

widespread need and immense potential for

cooperation in the bilateral and multilateral

domains. From interconnecting the world to

facilitating trade, from global warming to

energy security, from fighting ebola epidemic to

defeating terrorism, every single area requires

j o i n t p a r t i c i p a t i o n , c o o p e ra t i o n a n d

contribution from these three countries. These

are the expectations of the international

community from our three countries and also

the very essence of the development of the

trilateral relations between China, India and

the U.S.

News From China April 2015

Dear professors and friends,

Good morning! I am very glad to

visit Jawaharlal Nehru University

again and attend the conference on the

“Belt and Road” initiative which is

being jointly organized by the Embassy

of China in India and the Centre for

Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies,

JNU. I, on behalf of the Embassy of

China in India, express warm

congratulations on convening of this

conference, express sincere welcome

to all the experts and professors from

China and India, and express gratitude

to the Centre for Chinese and

Southeast Asian Studies for the efforts

put in for holding this conference.

My home province is Jiangsu, it was

from here that Zheng He’s fleet set sail

600 years ago and reached India’s

western coast through the “Maritime

Silk Road”. As Chinese Ambassador to

Kazakhstan, I heard President Xi

Jinping’s speech which stated the “Silk

Road Economic Belt” initiative at

Nazarbayev University in September,

2013. India and Kazakhstan are the

important countries on the route of

“Maritime Silk Road” and “Silk Road”

respectively. After serving as Chinese

ambassador in both Kazakhstan and India, I

think that I am really destined to be linked with

the “Belt and Road” initiative. Today, when we

have assemble under the one roof, as if

predestined, I think we must also thank the

“Belt and Road” initiative for giving us such an

exciting opportunity to discuss mutual

cooperation.

I am working in India for more than half a

year. Many Indian friends often ask me various

questions about “Belt and Road”. Indian media

also offers different explanations and

speculations about it. Today, I would like to talk

about the “Belt and Road” initiative from three

perspectives, “Why, What, and How”.

1. Why China proposed the “Belt and

Road” initiative?

The construction of “Belt and Road” is

needed for expanding and deepening of China’s

opening up. China’s reform and opening-up

have achieved great progress in the past more

than 30 years and China has become the second

“Belt and Road Initiative”: China and India Play the Symphony Together

H.E. Ambassador Le Yucheng Addresses the Conference on the“ Belt and

Road Initiative” at the Jawaharlal Nehru University on March 26, 2015.

China India Relations14


largest economy in the world. But China’s

development remains unbalanced, especially

when seen in the context of the eastern and

central or western parts of China. China’s

central and western regions accounts for 80%

of land area and 60% of population, but

contributes less than one third to the GDP. The

mobilization and transfer of the development

elements like resources and capital towards the

central and western regions through the

implementation of the “Belt and Road” initiative

is beneficial for the regions’ transformation. It

will take the region from the periphery to the

forefront of opening-up, will also help in the

transformation and upgrading of open

economy in the eastern coastal region, and form

a new pattern of opening-up, which will be

marked by coordinated development plans for

land and sea, mutual support between the

eastern and western parts and its global

orientation.

The construction of “Belt and

Road” is needed for pushing

f o r w a r d A s i a ’ s r e g i o n a l

cooperation. Asia is one of the

most vibrant and promising

regions in the world. Asian

regional cooperat ion and

development have achieved

considerable progress in recent

years but it is also facing many

constraints, such as diversity of

Asian countries, unbalanced

development between countries, poor

infrastructure, great financial gap, and lack of

regional integration which is way behind when

compared with Europe and America . The “Belt

and Road” initiative will link Asia’s sub-regions

together and improve the regional trade and

investment environment, promote the orderly

flow of capital and proper allocation of

resources, promote mutual exchange of needed

products, complement various countries’

advantages, give new impetus to the

sustainable development of the region, and give

the wings to the revitalization of whole Asia.

The construction of “Belt and Road” is

needed for the common development of the

countries along the routes. The initiative involve

more than 60 countries with 4.4 billion

populations and combined GDP of more than 21

trillion US dollars, the later two accounting for

63% and 29% of the world respectively. It is the

world’s biggest emerging economies belt. It

conforms to the need of peace and development

of our times. It meets the desire of people from

various countries to reinvigorate the Silk Road

and achieve common development. It also helps

in establishing a new model of international

cooperation and global governance, promoting

harmonious coexistence between different

races, religions and cultures, and achieving

diverse, independent, balanced and sustainable

development of the countries along the routes.

2. What does the “Belt and Road”

initiative mean to the world?

Simply speaking, the “Belt and Road” aims to

c o n n e c t t h e A s i a - P a c i f i c

e c o n o m i c c i r c l e a n d t h e

European economic circle. It aims

to forge a community of common

interest, a community of common

responsibility and a community

of common destiny through

p o l i c y c o o rd i n a t i o n , ro a d

connection, unimpeded trade,

monetary circulation and mutual

understanding between the

peoples, and realize mutually

beneficial win-win cooperation and create

benefits for the peoples along the belt and the

road. It can be summed up in four “roads”.

First, it is an open and inclusive road. Mutual

respect and trust are the premise and basis of

friendly cooperation. Openness which is a

distinct characteristic of the “Belt and Road”

initiative not only refers to the openness to

different regions and countries, but also to

different areas and programs of cooperation.

This is just an initiative taken by China, not a

Chinese patent or a Chinese “solo”. It is a

“symphony” to be performed by all the

The construction of

“Belt and Road” is

needed for pushing

forward Asia’s regional

cooperation. Asia is one

of the most vibrant and

promising regions in the

world.

China India Relations 15


participants. Friendly neighbors and countries

along the ancient Silk Road, such as India, and

also other countries and multilateral

institutions that are interested in the initiative

can participate in it in a variety of ways. We can

jointly write a new chapter in the history of Silk

Road in the era of globalization, and jointly

safeguard regional development and stability.

Second, it is a road to mutual benefit and

cooperation. The “Belt and Road” initiative will

create more opportunities for cooperation

among the countries along the routes and help

them realize more common interests. The

countries along the routes are at different levels

of economic development, and have their own

variations in terms of resources and factors of

production. But, they have complementary

economies and share a common destiny. China

will actively promote the construction of

interconnection and intercommunication

networks. We will achieve openness and

integration in an even wider range, higher level

and more depth. We will deepen cooperation in

trade and investment, expand the converging

points of common interests, and infuse new

vitality in the development of countries along

the routes thus bringing benefits to a larger

number of people from various countries.

Third, it is a road of harmonious coexistence.

It is impossible to build the “Belt and Road”

without a peaceful and stable environment. The

initiative is not an Asian version of the “Monroe

Doctrine”, or the “Marshall Plan”, but an

initiative aimed at cooperation. China neither

has any special geopolitical strategic intention

nor any intention to seek dominant right in

regional affairs or operate a zone of influence.

China will never interfere in the internal affairs

of other countries. The “Chinese dream” is as

soft and beautiful as silk. What we pursue is

common development. We want to make a

better life, not only for ourselves, but also for

other people. We would like to connect

ourselves with other developing countries

China India Relations16


through “Belt and Road” to pursue and realize

the common dream of development.

It is a road of civilizational blending. A

civilization is colourful and rich owing to

various exchanges, interactions and blending of

different traditions and values. The “Belt and

Road” initiative is not only about important

trade routes, but also about cultural corridors

transcending national borders and temporal

limits. By constructing the “Belt and Road”,

China will inherit and carry forward the spirit of

friendly cooperation of the ancient Silk Road,

promote equal communication between

diverse civilizations, and advance mutual

under-standing, support and help between the

peoples of various countries. This will help in

further spreading and blending various

cultures and civilizations, and increase

friendship and trust.

3. How to build the “Belt and Road”

The construction of the “Belt and Road”

initiative will be based on the comparative

advantages and development requirements of

various countries along the route. It will rely on

economic corridors, build transportation

infrastructure, provide financing platforms and

boost cultural exchange. We will prioritize the

key areas and programs in all directions to fan

out from point to line, and from line to area. On

land, relying on the international passageways,

taking the support of central cities along the

route, and utilizing important industrial parks

as cooperative platform, we will jointly build

international economic cooperation corridors

like the New Eurasian Continental Bridge,

China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic

Corridor and China-Indochina Peninsula

Economic Corridor. On sea, we will take

important ports as maritime nodal points and

jointly build a smooth, safe and efficient

transportation corridor. The BCIM Corridor and

China-Pakistan Corridor are also important

constituents of the initiative; we will take them

forward side by side.

In less than a year and a half since its

announcement, over fifty countries and

international organizations have responded

positively to the initiative. China has signed the

Belt and Road cooperation agreements with

Kazakhstan and four other countries, which are

bearing tangible results. We have initiated the

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and

contributed $40 billion to set up the Silk Road

Fund. The Asian Infrastructure Investment

Bank and the BRICS Bank are actively preparing

to start their operations. One month ago, the

first Central Asia International Freight Train

from Lianyungang (Jiangsu Province), China to

Almaty, Kazakhstan began operation on

February 25th. The construction of Line D of the

China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline project

has already begun. The eastern route of the

China-Russia natural gas pipeline project will be

constructed very soon and the agreement on the

western route will be signed shortly. All the

above projects mark the early harvest of the

initiative.

As the next step, China will strengthen

bilateral cooperation with the countries along

the route, sign MoUs and build joint working

mechanisms. At the same time we will fully

utilize the existing bilateral and multilateral

mechanisms, will enrich the content and

pattern of the cooperation, jointly draw up

timetables and roadmaps, and connect the

development strategy and regional cooperation

plan with the countries along the route. China is

willing to steadily take forward the construction

of pilot projects, jointly specify projects which

will take care of the common interests, and

carry forward the construction of urgently

needed projects which are accepted by all

parties. We hope the initiative will come to

fruition at an early date, and the peoples along

the route will share the fruits.When looking back at the history of the

exchanges between China and India, overland and maritime silk roads come to people’s minds naturally. Exchange of goods and commodities between our two countries through the ancient Silk Road gained momentum when envoy Zhang Qian from the West Han Dynasty went on the

China India Relations 17


journey to the western region beyond China. Through the ancient Silk Road, three well-known and highly-respected Chinese monks, Faxian, Xuanzang and Yijing, made their way to India to seek Buddist sutras. The West Han Dynasty and India were also linked by a maritime route called the “South China Sea route” or what we often call as the Ancient Maritime Silk Road. The fleet of Zheng He docked along the coast of India six times. The Chinese fishing net he brought to Cochin, the south Indian town, is still used by the local fishermen a lot. Many Indian scholars and merchants also went all the way to China and left their names and stories in Chinese history books. Hinduism existed in Quanzhou City of China in the North Song Period more than 1000 years ago and flourished in the Yuan Dynasty. Stele with inscriptions in Tamil and Chinese languages from those periods are preserved till date. Through the ancient silk roads, merchants, religious figures and scholars promoted the exchanges between the Chinese and Indian civilizations. Had it not been for the ancient silk roads, the contemporary Chinese and Indian civilizations would not have been so rich and wholesome, and the history of human kind would have been different as well.

Next five to ten years are immensely important for the development of our two countries. China and India have been endowed with a historic opportunity to make our nations strong and peoples prosperous. China has already entered a critical phase in the process of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society. The development of China will bring more opportunities to its neighbors, including India. At the same time, India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi is actively engaged in reforms and development. The common mission of national rejuvenation has strengthened the ties between India and China. Together we will carry forward the spirit of the Silk Road and complement each other with respective advantages in order to integrate our development strategies and build the closer partnership for development.

India enjoyed important geographic

location along the ancient silk roads and spice route and is situated at the unique crossing point of the contemporary Belt and Road. India is China’s natural and significant cooperation partner in promoting the “Belt and Road” initiative. The BCIM Economic Corridor, as an important part of the “Belt and Road”, is steadily moving forward. The third meeting of the BCIM joint working group will be held in India later this year. Last year, India became one of the first prospective founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and hosted its second chief negotiators’ meeting in Mumbai in late January this year. All these are positive signals of India participating in and extending support to the “Belt and Road” initiative. China will continue strengthening communication and coordination with India to push the BCIM forward, promote projects of the “Belt and Road” initiative and bring tangible benefits to the peoples in our two countries and throughout the region.

China attaches importance to India’s opinion and advice regarding the “Belt and Road” initiative. We are willing to conduct further policy communication and looking forward to linking the “Belt and Road” initiative with India’s “Spice Route” and “Mausam” projects in order to form “the greatest common factor” for our cooperation. The Chinese side welcomes more and more officials, scholars and entrepreneurs from the Indian side to engage in deliberations on the “Belt and Road”. We encourage think tanks from both sides to host more symposiums just like this one we are attending today. We support the academic and cultural institutions from both sides to conduct joint research on ancient silk roads and the history of China-India exchanges. We support the friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between the provinces and states from both sides. We would be pleased to see a grand scenario of comprehensive engagement for the common development at national, local and entrepreneurial levels. As the largest countries in Asia, China and India could also discuss win-win cooperation in third countries with the aim to enhance the wellbeing of


News From China April 2015 China India Relations

peoples throughout the region.

Dear friends

Since my assuming office half a year ago, I’ve witnessed rapid development in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Not long ago, I visited Pune, Maharastra and made a field trip to the Chinese industrial park there. I must say that the pace of construction and activity taking place there really impressed me. The industrial park not only provides a platform for the Chinese companies to invest in India, which helps to build industrial chains and economic corridors of cooperation and common interest, but it is also an important point in the joint efforts of our two countries in promoting the building of the “Belt one Road”, which will definitely bring a lot of developmental opportunities for India. As Chinese Ambassador to India, I deeply sense the honor and burden. And my mission is to make every effort to promote China-India relations to a new height. I

do believe that as long as China and India, the two largest developing countries in the world, strive together upholding the Silk Road spirit that embodies unity, trust, equality, openness, cooperation, mutual learning and benefit, we will definitely enjoy peace and development in harmony and jointly welcome the dawn of Asian Century.

Spring season is the symbol of hope, life, and vitality. And our discussion together on the history of the Silk Road, the relations between “Belt and Road” and regional cooperation and integration bears much more meaning in this season. I hope that all the representatives here will actively interact, and improve mutual understanding and communication. I believe that your opinion and suggestions will be conducive to promote the “Belt and Road” cooperation, and contribute to the development of China-India relations.

I wish this conference a great success. Thank you all.

19

20 External Affairs News From China April 2015

Beijing, April 7 (Xinhua) — Chinese

President Xi Jinping and General Secretary of

the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen

Phu Trong pledged to cement the traditional

friendship and boost the comprehensive

strategic cooperative partnership between the

two countries during talks on Tuesday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist

Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said

the China-Vietnam traditional friendship is

precious wealth shared by the two parties, the

two nations and the people of the two countries,

worthy of being cherished and taken good care

of.

Recalling their mutual support between the

two nations since their fight for national

independence, Xi said reciprocal cooperation

has brought substantial benefit for the people of

the two countries, which also helps to promote

peace, development and prosperity in the

region.

China and Vietnam share extensive common

interests, and friendship and cooperation have

remained the primary theme of the bilateral

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

China, Vietnam Pledge Closer Friendship, Partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R), who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, attends a signing ceremony with Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, after their talks in Beijing, China, April 7, 2015. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

21External AffairsNews From China April 2015

ties, said the Chinese leader.

Xi proposed the two sides always bear in

mind the overall situation of China-Vietnam

friendship as well as their development, respect

each other, consult with each other in a friendly

way, seek common ground while shelving

differences, and control their disputes to ensure

that the bilateral relationship will develop in a

right track.

Xi said China and Vietnam are facing both

new opportunities and challenges as the

international situation is undergoing complex

and profound changes. He suggested the two

parties, as well as the two countries, boost high-

level interactions to find out new solutions to

their problems and new ideas to advance the

bilateral relationship in a sustained way.

N g uye n a l s o s a i d f r i e n d s h i p a n d

cooperation have been the primary themes of

the Vietnam-China relationship over the 65

years since the two countries established

diplomatic relations.

The brotherly and comradely traditional

friendship was formed by late Vietnamese

leader Ho Chi Minh and Chinese leader Mao

Zedong, which should be inherited, Nguyen said.

Nguyen, who is paying an official visit to

China from Tuesday to Friday at Xi’s invitation,

said the Vietnamese side looks forward to more

interaction between the leaders of the two

countries to enhance the political trust in each

other.

As Vietnam and China are both committed to

the great cause of socialism and carrying out all-

round reform, they need friendship, reciprocal

cooperation and a peaceful environment for

development more than ever, said the

Vietnamese leader.

Vietnam and China share immense common

interests and it is the common obligation of the

two sides as well as the common aspiration of

the people of the two countries to advance the

comprehensive s t ra tegic coopera t ive

partnership, Nguyen said, adding that it is a

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (4th R) meets with Nguyen Phu Trong (4th L), general secretary of the Central Committee of the

Communist Party of Vietnam, in Beijing, capital of China, April 8, 2015. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)


strategic choice of Vietnam to develop friendly

ties with China in a sustained and stable way.

On the 21st - Century Maritime Silk Road

Initiative, Xi said China welcomes Vietnam’s

participation and Nguyen said Vietnam was

studying on it.

The two leaders agreed on making joint

efforts to control maritime disputes and

safeguard peace and stability in the South China

Sea.

Xi voiced China’s support for Vietnam to

host the Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific

Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2017 as well

as the building of the ASEAN Community. He

also proposed China and Vietnam should make

efforts to protect each other’s organizations,

enterprises and citizens on their territory.

China stands ready to strengthen

coordination with Vietnam in international

affairs to promote peace, stability and

prosperity in the world, Xi said.

The two leaders agreed on closer

cooperation on defense, security, law-

enforcement, infrastructure construction,

culture, education and tourism among others.

They witnessed the signing of a string of deals

between the two sides, including a five-year

plan for the cooperation between the two ruling

parties, after their talks at the Great Hall of the

People.

After the talks, the two leaders met with a

group of Chinese and Vietnamese youngsters

and encouraged them to carry forward the

traditional friendship between the two nations.

Prior to their talks, Xi held a red-carpet

ceremony to welcome the CPV leader. They also

visited an exhibition on theoretical exchanges

between the two parties.

54th Annual Session of AALCO Opens, Chinese Premier Delivers Keynote Speech


The 54th Annual Session of the Asian-

African Legal Consultative Organization

opened in Beijing on April 13,2015. Chinese

Premier Li Keqiang delivered a keynote speech,

saying China will cooperate with the AALCO

members to safeguard the post war

international order and promote the rule of law

at the international level.

This is the second time Beijing has hosted

the annual session of the AALCO. The first time

was in 1990.

Li said this year’s meeting is very important

as it coincides with a political milestone, the

60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.

“The international community and China

will hold a series of events to commemorate the

60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.

President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders

will attend the related activities. This session of

the Asian-African Legal Consultative

Organization is part of the commemorative

activities,” Li said.

“The meeting itself is sending a clear signal

to the international community that China is

willing to work together with Asian and African

countries and the rest of world to continue

upholding the spirit of the Bandung Conference

and safeguard the post-war international

order.”

The AALCO is an intergovernmental

organization established in 1956. It follows in

the spirit of the 1955 Bandung Conference,

which was to that date the largest gathering of

Asian and African countries. It was there that

the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence was

built upon, and the Ten Principles on handling

state-to-state relations were put forward,

emphasizing peace, equality and sovereignty,

among others.

This year’s AALCO session focuses on topics

as varied as international law in cyberspace,

workings of investment treaties, law of the sea

and legal aspects on violent extremism and

terrorism.

Li said it is important to safeguard the post-

war international order, as this year also marks

the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World

Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United

Nations. Li said peace, development and win-

win cooperation are the prevailing trends of our

times.

“China will support the cause and work of

the AALCO as always. I’d like to announce that

China will fund the establishment of the China-

AALCO International Research and Exchange

Program. That shows our respect for the

contribution made by all the AALCO members,

and it will also help strengthen Asian-African

countries’ cooperation on the rule of law at the

international level,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin Meets with Wang Yi

In the afternoon of April 7, 2015, President

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia met

with Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Kremlin in

Moscow.

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin noted that the

Russia-China relations have reached an

unprecedented high, and the quality for

bilateral cooperation is completely in line with

the reality and long-term needs of the two

nations. The Russia-China cooperation has also

grown into the most important factor to

safeguard the stability in the current world.

Russia earnestly looks forward to President Xi

Jinping’s visit to Russia and his attendance of the

celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of

the victory of the anti-fascist war in the near


future. Russia firmly supports China in its

efforts to safeguard its core interests and backs

the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road

Economic Belt put forward by President Xi

Jinping. Russia stands ready to, together with

C h i n a , i n t e n s i f y t h e c o m p re h e n s ive

cooperation in practical fields and boost

coordination and cooperation in international

affairs, so as to address the challenges emerged

in the development of the two countries and

faced by the global peace and security.

Wang Yi said that over the past two-odd

years, President Xi Jinping and President

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin made a top-level

design and strategic guidance for the bilateral

relations by taking the big picture of the

development and revitalization of both China

and Russia into consideration and bearing in

mind the general situation of peace and

development in the world, so as to keep the

China-Russia comprehensive strategic

partnership of coordination running at a high

level and push it towards a new development

stage. China and Russia have always respected

and supported each other, and devoted to

mutually beneficial cooperation and common

development, providing the exchanges between

major countries with useful experience and

becoming a model of practice for building a new

type of international relations. In order to

address the new changes in the global and

regional arena, China and Russia should connect

the initiative of Silk Road Economic Belt, the

construction of Railway across Eurasia, as well

as the economic integration process in Eurasia

together, expand new cooperation fields, build

new cooperation platforms, and continue

boosting people-to-people and cultural

exchanges to consolidate the public opinion and

social foundation for the bilateral friendship.

B o t h s i d e s s h o u l d a l s o t a k e t h e

commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the

victory of the WWII as an opportunity to

intensify cooperation and coordination in

international affairs and to firmly safeguard the

common interests of both sides.

On the same day, Wang Yi laid a wreath at the

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Red Square.


In the afternoon of March 30, 2015, Foreign

Minister Wang Yi gave an interview to Chinese

media on the sidelines of the Meeting of Foreign

Ministers of the Six Countries and Iran on the

Iranian Nuclear Issue in Lausanne, Switzerland

and introduced the progress of the negotiation.

Wang Yi expressed that the marathon-like

negotiation on the Iranian nuclear issue has

entered the final phase. This time foreign

ministers of seven countries gathered in

Lausanne to clarify the significant headways

achieved in the negotiation on a higher level,

sort out remaining core issues, and discuss how

to form the thinking and path to tackle these

issues. After I arrived in Lausanne yesterday, I

had met respectively with foreign ministers of

other six countries and High Representative for

Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU,

and attended three foreign ministers’ meetings.

Through intensive multilateral and bilateral

contacts, the focus of the issues has been

defined at present, the thinking of settlement is

taking shape, and the differences among all

parties are narrowing.

Wang Yi said that the negotiation involves

many aspects and is very complicated. At the

same time, internal and external factors

influencing the negotiation are gathering and

escalating. It is at such moment that we need to

maintain composure, consolidate confidence

and meet each other half way, and only by doing

so can we prevent from falling short of success

Wang Yi Talks about the Negotiation on the Iranian Nuclear Issue

Diplomats meet on Iran's nuclear deal in Lausanne, Switzerland, on March 30, 2015. Foreign ministers from major world powers on

Sunday night kicked off a plenary session here to further bridge gaps on Iran's potential nuclear framework deal. (Xinhua/Zhang

Miao)


at the last stage.

Wang Yi said that through the course of

many years, the negotiation has witnessed

progress in multiple aspects, and a sound

foundation for reaching a comprehensive

agreement has been laid. It is hoped that with

the efforts of all parties at the foreign ministers’

meeting this time, a road will finally be paved to

solve the Iranian nuclear issue as scheduled.

Wang Yi noted that the Chinese side always

actively participates in the negotiation as an

important party, plays a constructive role, pays

attention to looking for positive factors in

positions of all parties and puts them together

to form the thinking to solve the issue. The

opinions and advices of the Chinese side were

highly valued by various parties. We will

continue to do so at the final stage of the

negotiation.

AIIB Founders Finalized at 57

Mr. Shi Yaobin(R), Vice Finance Minister of China accepts interview on AIIB in Beijing , China on

April 15, 2015. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Beijing, April 15

( X i n h u a ) — T h e

prospective founding

members of the Asian

Infrastructure Invest-

m e n t B a n k ( A I I B )

f i n a l i z e d a t 5 7 o n

Wednesday after seven

more countries were

a p p r o v e d , C h i n a ’ s

Ministry of Finance said.

Sweden, Israel, South

A f r i c a , A z e r b a i j a n ,

Iceland, Portugal and

Poland were newly

included as founding

members on Wednesday.

Though the deadline

for founding member-

ship application has

past, the bank will continue to accept new

members, as the AIIB is an open and inclusive

multilateral development bank, China’s Vice

Finance Minister Shi Yaobin said.

The 57 prospective founding members

cover five continents, including Asia, Oceania,

Europe, Latin America and Africa, Shi said.

Founding members of the AIIB have the

right to help define the bank’s rules, while

countries that applied to join after March 31 will

be considered ordinary members with voting

rights but less say in the rule-making process.

The AIIB will provide financing for roads,

railways, airports and other infrastructure

projects in Asia. It is expected to be established

by the end of this year.

272015 Boao Forum for AsiaNews From China April 2015

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,Ministers,Heads of International and Regional Organizations,Members of the Board of Directors of the Boao Forum for Asia,

Ladies and Gentlemen,Dear Friends,

Boao today greets us with vast ocean, high sky and warm breeze. In this beautiful season of spring, it is of great significance that so many distinguished guests gather here to discuss the development strategies for Asia and the world.

2015 BOAO FORUM FOR ASIA

Towards a Community of Common Destiny and A New Future for Asia

Keynote Speech by H.E. Xi JinpingPresident of the People's Republic of China

At the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2015Boao, 28 March 2015

28 2015 Boao Forum for Asia News From China April 2015

At the outset, let me extend, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in my own n a m e , h e a r t fe l t we l c o m e to a l l t h e distinguished guests attending the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2015, and my warm congratulations on the opening of the conference.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Asia’s New Future: Towards a Community of Common Destiny”. The timing could not be better in that the theme has not only great immediate relevance but also long-term historical significance. And I am looking to all of you to express yourselves fully and contribute your insightful views to the cause of peace and development of Asia and beyond.Ladies and Gentlemen,Dear Friends,

There are certain historic occasions that are likely to remind people of what happened in the past and set people reflecting on them. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the World Anti-Fascist War, the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the founding of the United Nations. This year is also the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference and

will witness the completion of the ASEAN Community. As such, it is an important year to be commemorated as well as a historic juncture to reflect on the past and look to the future.

Over the past 70 years, the world has experienced profound changes as never before, making a difference to the destiny of mankind. With the days of global colonialism and the Cold War long gone, countries are now increasingly interconnected and interdependent. Peace, development and win-win cooperation have become the prevailing trend of our times. The international forces are shifting in a way that is more favorable to maintaining world peace. Countries are now in a better position to uphold general stability in the world and seek common development.

Over the past 70 years, Asia has also gone through unprecedented changes. After gaining national independence, Asian countries took their destiny in their own hands and strengthened the force for regional and world peace. Asian countries were the first to advocate the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and, together with African countries, put forward the Ten Principles on handling state-to-state relations at the Bandung Conference. Since the

Chinese President Xi Jinping (7th R) poses for a group photo with foreign leaders attending the 2015 annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2015. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

2015 Boao Forum for Asia 29News From China April 2015

end of the Cold War, Asian countries have gradually come up with an Asian way of cooperation in the course of advancing regional cooperation, which features mutual respect, consensus-building and accommodation of each other’s comfort levels. All this has contributed to a proper approach to state-to-state relations and to progress in building a new type of international relations.

Over the past 70 years, more and more Asian countries have found development paths that suit their own national conditions and embarked on a fast-track of economic growth. H a v i n g e m e r g e d f r o m p o v e r t y a n d backwardness, they are on course to achieve development and prosperity. Regional and inter-regional cooperation is flourishing. Connectivity is pursued at a faster pace. As a result, there is a strong momentum in Asia with countries striving to outperform each other. Accounting for one third of the world economy, Asia is one of the most dynamic regions with the most potential and its global strategic

importance has been rising.Over the past 70 years, Asian countries have

gradually transcended their differences in ideology and social system. No longer cut off from each other, they are now open and inclusive, with suspicion and estrangement giving way to growing trust and appreciation. The interests of Asian countries have become intertwined, and a community of common destiny has increasingly taken shape. Be it the arduous struggle for national independence, or the difficult periods of the Asian financial crisis and the international financial crisis, or the hard time in the wake of devastating disasters including the Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake in Wenchuan, China, the people of Asian countries have always come to those in need with a helping hand and worked together to overcome one challenge after another, demonstrating the power of unity in face of difficulties and the spirit of sharing weal and woe. This said, Asia still faces numerous challenges. Some are the old issues left over

Chinese President Xi Jinping(C) meets with members of the Boao Forum for Asia board of directors in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 29, 2015. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)


from history and others are new ones associated with current disputes. Asia is also confronted with various traditional and non-traditional security threats. Hence it remains an uphill battle for Asian countries to grow the economy, improve people’s livelihood and eliminate poverty.

A review of the path traversed over the past 70 years shows that what has been accomplished in Asia today is attributable to the persistent efforts of several generations of people in Asian countries and to the hard work of many statesmen and people of great vision. Tomorrow, Singapore will hold a state funeral for Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Mr. Lee was a strategist and statesman respected across the world for his outstanding contribution to the peace and development of Asia and the exchanges and cooperation between Asia and the world. I want to take this opportunity to pay high tribute to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and all those who made contribution to Asia’s peace and development.


Asia belongs to the world. For Asia to move towards a community of common destiny and embrace a new future, it has to follow the world trend and seek progress and development in tandem with that of the world.

The international situation continues to experience profound and complex changes, with significant development in multi-polarization and economic globalization. Cultural diversity and IT application are making constant progress while readjustment is accelerating in international landscape and order. Countries around the world are losing no time in adjusting their development strategies, pursuing transformation and innovation, changing their economic development models, improving economic structures and opening up new horizons for further development. At the same time, however, the world economy is still

Chinese President Xi Jinping (4th R back) attends a symposium with Chinese and foreign entrepreneur representatives attending the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2015 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 29, 2015. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)


in a period of profound adjustment, with risks of low growth, low inflation and low demand interwoven with risks of high unemployment, high debt and high level of bubbles. The performance and policies of major economies continue to diverge, and uncertainties in the economic cl imate remain prominent . Geopolitical factors are more at play and local turmoils keep cropping up. Non-traditional security threats and global challenges including terrorism, cyber security, energy security, food security, climate change and major infectious diseases are on the rise, and the North-South gap is still wide. The noble cause of peace and development remains a long and arduous journey for mankind.

We have only one planet, and countries share one world. To do well, Asia and the world could not do without each other. Facing the fast changing internat ional and regional landscapes, we must see the whole picture, follow the trend of our times and jointly build a regional order that is more favorable to Asia and the world. We should, through efforts towards such a community for Asia, promote a community of common interest for all mankind. I wish to take this opportunity to share with you my thoughts on this vision.

— To build a community of common destiny, we need to make sure that all countries respect one another and treat each other as equals. Countries may differ in size, strength or level of development, but they are all equal members of the international community with equal rights to participate in regional and international affairs. On matters that involve us all, we should discuss and look for a solution together. Being a big country means shouldering greater responsibilities for regional and world peace and development, as opposed to seeking greater monopoly over regional and world affairs.

To respect one another and treat each other as equals, countries need to, first and foremost, respect other countries’ social systems and development paths of their own choice, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns and have objective and rational perception of

other countries’ growing strength, policies and visions. Efforts should be made to seek common ground while shelving differences, and better still to increase common interests and dissolve differences. The hard-won peace and stability in Asia and the sound momentum for development should be upheld by all. All of us must oppose interference in other countries’ internal affairs and reject attempts to destablize the region out of selfish motives.

— To build a community of common destiny, we need to seek win-win cooperation and common development. Our friends in Southeast Asia say that the lotus flowers grow taller as the water rises. Our friends in Africa say that if you want to go fast, walk alone; and if you want to go far, walk together. Our friends in Europe say that a single tree cannot block the chilly wind. And Chinese people say that when big rivers have water, the small ones are filled; and when small rivers have water, the big ones are filled. All these sayings speak to one same truth, that is, only through win-win cooperation can we make big and sustainable achievements that are beneficial to all. The old mindset of zero-sum game should give way to a new approach of win-win and all-win cooperation. The interests of others must be accommodated while pursuing one’s own interests, and common development must be promoted while seeking one’s own development . The vis ion of win-win cooperation not only applies to the economic field, but also to the political, security, cultural and many other fields. It not only applies to countries within the region, but also to cooperation with countries from outside the region. We should enhance coordination of macroeconomic policies to prevent negative spill-over effects that may arise from economic policy changes in individual economies. We should actively promote reform of global economic governance, uphold an open world economy, and jointly respond to risks and challenges in the world economy.

China and ASEAN countries will join hands in building an even closer China-ASEAN community of common destiny. The building of an East Asia economic community for ASEAN,


China, Japan and ROK will be completed in 2020. We should actively build a free trade cooperation network in Asia and strive to conclude negotiations on an upgraded China-ASEAN FTA and on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2015. In advancing economic integration in Asia, we need to stay committed to open regionalism and move forward trans-regional cooperation, including APEC, in a coordinated manner.

We will vigorously promote a system of regional financial cooperation, explore a platform for exchanges and cooperation among Asian financial institutions, and advance complementary and coordinated development between the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and such multilateral financial institutions as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. We will strengthen practical cooperation in currency stability, investment and financing, and credit rating, make progress in institution building for the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization and build a regional financial security network. We will work towards an energy and resources cooperation mechanism in Asia to ensure energy and resources security.

China proposes that plans be formulated regarding connectivity building in East Asia and Asia at large to advance full integration in infrastructure, policies and institutions and personnel flow. We may increase maritime connectivity, speed up institution building for marine cooperation in Asia, and step up cooperation in marine economy, environmental protection, disaster management and fishery. This way, we could turn the seas of Asia into seas of peace, friendship and cooperation for Asian countries.

— To build a community of common destiny, we need to pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. In today’s world, security means much more than before and its implications go well beyond a single region or time frame. All sorts of factors could have a bearing on a country’s security. As people of all countries share common destiny and become increasingly interdependent, no country could have its own security ensured without the security of other countries or of the wider world. The Cold War mentality should truly be discarded and new security concepts be nurtured as we explore a path for Asia that ensures security for all, by all and of all.

Participants attending a roundtable discussion with the theme of "Building the Silk Road Consensus" pose for a group photo during the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 26, 2015.

2015 Boao Forum for Asia 33News From China April 2015

We believe that countries are all entitled to take an equal part in regional security affairs and all are obliged to work to ensure security for the region. The legitimate security concerns of each country need to be respected and addressed. At the same time, in handling security issues in Asia, it is important to bear in mind both the history and reality of Asia, take a multi-pronged and holistic approach, improve coordinated regional security governance, and safeguard security in both the traditional and non-traditional realms. It is important to conduct dialogue and cooperation to enhance security at national and regional levels, and to increase cooperation as the way to safeguard peace and security. It is important to resolve disputes through peaceful means, and oppose the willful use or threat of force. Security should be given equal emphasis as development, and sustainable development surely provides a way to sustainable security. Countries in Asia need to step up cooperation with countries and organizations outside the region and all parties are welcome to play a positive and constructive role in upholding development and security in Asia.

— To build a community of common destiny, we need to ensure inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations. History, over the past millennia, has witnessed ancient civilizations appear and thrive along the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, the Indus, the Ganges, the Euphrates, and the Tigris River as well as in Southeast Asia, each adding its own splendour to the progress of human civilization. Today, Asia has proudly maintained its distinct diversity and still nurtures all the civilizations, ethnic groups and religions in this big Asian family.

Mencius, the great philosopher in ancient China, said, “Things are born to be different.” Civilizations are only unique, and no one is superior to the other. There need to be more exchange and dialogue among civilizations and development models, so that each could draw on the strength of the other and all could thrive and prosper by way of mutual learning and common development. Let us promote inter-civilization exchanges to build bridges of

friendship for our people, drive human development and safeguard peace of the world.

China proposes that a conference of dialogue among Asian civilizations be held to provide a platform upon which to enhance interactions among the youth, people’s groups, local communities and the media and to form a network of think-tank cooperation, so as to add to Asian people’s rich cultural life and contribute to more vibrant regional cooperation and development.


Right now, the Chinese people are working in unison under the strategic plans to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and to comprehensively deepen reform, advance law-based governance, and enforce strict Party conduct. Our objective is to realize the “two centenary” goals for China’s development and for realizing the Chinese dream of great national rejuvenation. I wish to use this opportunity to reaffirm China’s commitment to the path of peaceful development, and to promoting cooperation and common development in the Asia-Pacific. China will be firm in its determination and resolve and all its policies will be designed to achieve such a purpose.

Now, the Chinese economy has entered a state of new normal. It is shifting gear from high speed to medium-to-high speed growth, from an extensive model that emphasized scale and speed to a more intensive one emphasizing quality and efficiency, and from being driven by investment in production factors to being driven by innovation. China’s economy grew by 7.4% in 2014, with 7% increase in labor productivity and 4.8% decrease in energy intensity. The share of domestic consumption in GDP rose, the services sector expanded at a faster pace, and the economy’s efficiency and quality continued to improve. When looking at China’s economy, one should not focus on growth rate only. As the economy continues to grow in size, around 7% growth would be quite impressive, and the momentum it generates


would be larger than growth at double digits in previous years. It is fair to say that the Chinese economy is highly resilient and has much potential, which gives us enough room to leverage a host of policy tools. Having said that, China will continue to be responsive to the new trend and take initiatives to shape the new normal in our favor. We will focus on improving quality and efficiency, and give even greater priority to shifting the growth model and adjusting the structure of development. We will make more solid efforts to boost economic development and deepen reform and opening-up. We will take more initiatives to unleash the creativity and ingenuity of the people, be more effective in safeguarding equity and social justice, raise people’s living standards and make sure that China’s economic and social development are both sound and stable.

This new normal of the Chinese economy will continue to bring more opportunities of trade, growth, investment and cooperation for other countries in Asia and beyond. In the coming five years, China will import more than US$10 trillion of goods, Chinese investment abroad will exceed US$500 billion, and more than 500 million outbound visits will be made by Chinese tourists. China will stick to its basic state policy of opening up, improve its investment climate, and protect the lawful rights and interests of investors. I believe that together, the people of Asian countries could drive this train of Asia’s development to take Asia to an even brighter future.

What China needs most is a harmonious and stable domestic environment and a peaceful and tranquil international environment. Turbulence or war runs against the fundamental interests of the Chinese people. The Chinese nation loves peace and has, since ancient times, held high such philosophies that “harmony is the most valuable”, “peace and harmony should prevail” and “all men under heaven are brothers”. China has suffered from turbulence and war for more than a century since modern times, and the Chinese people would never want to inflict the same tragedy on other countries or peoples. History has taught us that no country who tried

to achieve its goal with force ever succeeded. China will be steadfast in pursuing the independent foreign policy of peace, the path of peaceful development, the win-win strategy of opening-up, and the approach of upholding justice while pursuing shared interests. China will work to promote a new type of international relations of win-win cooperation and will always remain a staunch force for world peace and common development.

Close neighbors are better than distant relatives. This is a simple truth that the Chinese people got to know in ancient times. That explains China’s firm commitment to building friendship and partnership with its neighbors to foster an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood. Under the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, China is working actively to deepen win-win cooperation and connectivity with its neighbors to bring them even more benefit with its own development. China has signed treaties of good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation with eight of its neighbors and is holding discussion to sign a same treaty with ASEAN. China stands ready to sigh such a treaty with all its neighbors to provide strong support for the development of bilateral relations as well as prosperity and stability in the region.

In 2013, during my visit to Kazakhstan and Indonesia, I put forward the initiatives of building a Silk Road economic belt and a 21st century maritime Silk Road. The “Belt and Road” initiative, meeting the development needs of China, countries along the routes and the region at large, will serve the common interests of relevant parties and answer the call of our time for regional and global cooperation.

In promoting this initiative, China will follow the principle of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. The programs of development will be open and inclusive, not exclusive. They will be a real chorus comprising all countries along the routes, not a solo for China itself. To develop the Belt and Road is not to replace existing mechanisms or initiatives for regional cooperation. Much to the contrary, we will build on the existing basis to help countries


align their development strategies and form complementarity. Currently, more than 60 countries along the routes and international organizations have shown interest in taking part in the development of the Belt and the Road. The “Belt and Road” and the AIIB are both open initiatives. We welcome all countries along the routes and in Asia, as well as our friends and partners around the world, to take an active part in these endeavors.

The “Belt and Road” initiative is not meant as rhetoric. It represents real work that could be seen and felt to bring real benefits to countries in the region. Thanks to the concerted efforts of relevant parties, the vision and action paper of the initiative has been developed. Substantive progress has been made in the establishment of the AIIB. The Silk Road Fund has been launched, and constructions of a number of infrastructure connectivity projects are moving forward.

These early harvests have truly pointed to the broad prospects the “Belt and Road” initiative will bring.


The cause of peace and development of mankind is as lofty as its is challenging. The journey ahead will not be smooth sailing, and success may not come easily. No matter how long and difficult the journey may be, those who work together and never give up will eventually prevail. I believe that as long as we keep to our goals and make hard efforts, we will together bring about a community of common destiny and usher in a new future for Asia.

I wish the Annual Conference a complete success.

Thank you very much.

Chinese President Meets with Foreign Leaders During Boao Forum

China welcomes Nepal to join Belt and Road Initiative

Boao, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) — Chinese

President Xi Jinping met with Nepalese

President Ram Baran Yadav during the 2015

Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in South China’s

Hainan Province on Saturday, welcoming Nepal

to participate in the Belt and Road cooperation.

Welcoming Yadav to the annual conference,

Xi said China-Nepal relationship is a model of

peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial

cooperation between big and small countries.

We cherish the traditional friendship with

Nepal, said Xi, adding that China is willing to be

Nepal’s good friend of mutual respect and

mutual support, good partner of common

development and common prosperity and good

neighbor of mutual assistance in security.

As this year marks the 60th anniversary of

the establishment of China-Nepal diplomatic

ties, Xi called on the two sides to be well

prepared for a series of commemorative

activities.

He suggested the two countries should

strengthen cooperation in traffic inter-

connectivity, infrastructure, hydropower

development, modernization of agriculture,

science and technology.

China is willing to initiate the negotiations

on Free Trade Agreement with Nepal at an early

date, he said, also calling on the two sides to

enhance law-enforcement and security

cooperation.

China appreciates Nepal’s firm support on

issues concerning China’s core interests,

including issues related to Tibet and Taiwan,

said the president.

China will continue to support Nepal’s effort


in safeguarding independence, sovereignty and

territorial integrity, he added.

Xi voiced the hope that Nepal would not

allow any forces to use Nepal’s territory to

engage in anti-China separatist activities.

He also called on the two sides to beef up

cooperation in the areas of youth exchanges and

tourism and enhance coordination on

multilateral occasions to safeguard their

common interests.

Yadav said Nepal would never allow its

territory to be used by any anti-China activities.

Nepal supports China’s initiatives of jointly

building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-

Century Maritime Silk Road as well as the Asian

Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), said

Yadav.

Nepal calls for strengthened cooperation

between the South Asian Association of

Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and China, in a

bid to promote regional interconnectivity and

economic development, he said.

Nepal appreciates China’s important and

positive role in international affairs and hopes

to enhance cooperation with China, he added.

President Xi Emphasizes Mutual

Respect in Ties with Sweden


President Xi Jinping said China and Sweden

should strengthen political guidance and input

on bilateral links by respecting each other’s core

interests and major concern.

Xi made the remark as he met here Saturday

with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven,

who is in Boao to attend the annual meeting of

the Boao Forum for Asia .

Xi said that Lofven’s China visit is his first

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2015. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)


trip to Asia since assuming office as Swedish

Prime Minister. This reflects the importance

that Lofven and Sweden attach to relations with

China.

Xi said Sweden is the first Western country

that established official relations with the new

China. Since the two countries set up diplomatic

links 65 years ago, bilateral relations have grow

from tiny to big and from weak to strong and

achieved remarkable results.

Xi emphasized that in the next step, the two

sides should strengthen political guidance,

respect each other’s core interests and major

concern.

He said the two sides should increase top-

level plan of and political input into bilateral

relations by maintaining the momentum of

high-level contact and expanding common

ground.

Xi said the two countries should strengthen

cooperative partnership in the areas of

sustainable growth, industrial upgrading,

innovation and green economy on the basis of

existing cooperation on information and

telecommunication technology, upper-end

manufacturing, energy efficiency, environment

protection and new energy.

Xi said the two countries should strengthen

cultural and people-to-people exchanges and

set up platforms for exchanges between the

youth. He expressed the hope that the Swedish

side will provide convenience on visa issuing for

Chinese citizens who visit Sweden for business

or vacation.

He called on the two countries to step up

communication and coordination on the post-

2015 UN development agenda, climate changes

and global health security.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2015. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)


Lofven thanked Xi for inviting him to attend

the Boao Forum for Asia, saying Xi’s speech at

the opening ceremony pointed out the future

route of Asian cooperation and is of great

significance for Sweden and Europe.

Lofven said the Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank(AIIB) initiative that Xi put

forward is very important. He said Sweden is

highly interested in the AIIB initiative and

wishes to carry out cooperation with China on

it.

He said bilateral trade and economic ties are

growing smoothly as China’s investment in

Sweden increases. He expressed the wish to

carry out cooperation with China on clean and

efficient transport, research, innovation and

green growth.

Lofven said Sweden actively engages in

international affairs and places importance on

China’s role. He expressed the readiness to

strengthen communication and coordination

with China within the framework of the United

Nations.

President Xi Calls for Greater Growth of

China-Netherlands Ties


President Xi Jinping said here Saturday China is

ready to work with the Netherlands for even

greater growth of bilateral links.

Xi made the remark as he met with the Dutch

Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is here to

attend the Boao Forum for Asia in south China’s

Hainan province.

During his visit to the Netherlands last year,

Xi and Rutte decided to set up the China-

Netherlands comprehensive cooperative

partnership that is open and practical.

Xi emphasized that both countries should

insist on mutual respect and equality by

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2015. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)


respecting each other’s core interests and

major concern so as to secure sustainable,

healthy and stable growth of their links.

Xi said the two countries should innovate

the way of cooperation by expanding and

deepening cooperation in the areas of farm

produces, dairy industry, pollution control and

clean energy. He expressed the wish that the

Netherlands will expand exports of hi-tech

products and technology to China.

Xi said the two sides should exchange visit

by high-caliber art groups, continue exchanges

between their museums and art galleries and

increase cultural exchanges.

Rutte said President Xi’s visit to the

Netherlands last year was a big success and

greatly promoted bilateral political and

economic exchanges. He said King Willem-

Alexander and Queen Maxima are expecting to

pay a state visit to China.

Rutte said the Netherlands has decided to

apply for an initial membership of the Asian

Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and will

immediately communicate with China on this

issue.

Prior to his trip to Boao, Rutte led a

delegation of Netherlands business figures to

Shanghai in east China and Shenzhen in the

south. He said they achieved highly satisfactory

results during the visit and expect to launch

businesses in China.

Rutte expressed the hope that there would

be a greater amount of Dutch farm produce

entering the China market. He appreciated

China’s effort to govern the country by law and

lift quality of economic growth. He expressed

the belief that China’s effort will provide a

better environment for bilateral cooperation.

Rutte said the Netherlands will strengthen

cultural exchanges with China, including

Chinese language teaching. He welcomes more

Chinese tourists to his country.

China, Malaysia Pledge to Enhance Ties

Boao, Hainan, March 27 (Xinhua) —

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak during

the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in South

China’s Hainan Province on Friday, pledging to

strengthen their comprehensive strategic

partnership.

Welcoming Najib to the annual conference,

Xi said China-Malaysia relations are at their

best, with highlights including the promotion of

practical cooperation in various areas, including

emergency response.

“I hope to enhance communication and

coordination with you to advance our

comprehensive strategic partnership,” Xi told

Najib.

Xi said leaders of both countries should

maintain smooth exchanges and communicate

on issues of mutual interest in a timely manner.

China and Malaysia should respect, trust

and accommodate each other, Xi said, calling on

the two sides to expand cooperation in

industrial parks, railway, finance, law

enforcement and defense and security.

Xi encouraged more exchanges between

students, the youth, local regions, and

strengthened coordination in international

affairs.

China will continue to support building of

the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

(ASEAN) community and support the ASEAN to

play a leading role in East Asian cooperation, Xi

said.

This year, China and ASEAN will formulate

the third action plan for strategic partnership

and launch the China-ASEAN maritime

cooperation year as well as building the 21st

Century Maritime Silk Road, Xi said.

“China hopes Malaysia will play its due role

as rotating chair of ASEAN and push for

headway in China-ASEAN relations,” he said.

Najib said Malaysia regards China as a

diplomatic priority, voicing confidence that

existing robust ties will continue to grow.

He thanked China for it’s help within

international and bilateral frameworks, and

said the country is willing to work with China to

d e e p e n t h e c o m p re h e n s ive s t ra te g i c


partnership.

Najib hoped both countries could expand

trade relations, provincial exchanges and

defense and law-enforcement cooperation.

He said Malaysia welcomes the Bank of

China to set up yuan clearing bank in Malaysia

and supports China’s Asia Infrastructure

Investment Bank and 21st Century Maritime

Silk Road initiatives.

Najib said his country would deal with any

bilateral problems with a diplomatic and

practical approach.

Malaysia is willing to enhance ASEAN-China

cooperation during its rotating presidency and

promote ASEAN members to actively

participate in the building of the 21st Century

Maritime Silk Road, he said.

Chinese President Meets with

Lankan President

Beijing, March 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese

President Xi Jinping Thursday called on Sri

Lanka to protect the legitimate interests of

Chinese companies, expressing willingness to

deepen cooperation in trade and infrastructure.

Xi made the remarks during talks with Sri

Lanka’s new President Maithripala Sirisena,

who is paying a state visit to China and to attend

the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia.

“China’s cooperation with Sri Lanka is based

on mutual benefit and a win-win situation,

without any political preconditions,” Xi said,

adding that China wishes to help Sri Lanka

sustain its development.

Sirisena said the current situation with a

China-funded port in Colombo is temporary and

the problems do not lie with China. He said his

country welcomes more investment from China,

promising a healthy investment climate.

The 1.4 billion-U.S. dollar port city was part

of a deal reached between China and Sri Lanka

under the former Sri Lankan government. The

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 27, 2015. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)


new government, which took office in January,

decided to re-examine it.

Xi and Sirisena pledged to continue the

longstanding friendship between the two

countries. Xi stressed the friendship should be

“carefully inherited, protected and developed”

while Sirisena said the new government will

take more robust measures to continue friendly

cooperation with China.

Calling on both sides to conclude

negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement at an

early date, Xi said China is willing to encourage

Chinese businesses to invest in Sri Lanka and

help develop its manufacturing industry.

Xi said both sides should work to expand

cooperation in health, agriculture, science,

tourism and human resources as well as

exchanges in military and regional and

international affairs. He hoped Sri Lanka

support China’s efforts to enhance cooperation

with South Asian Association for Regional

Cooperation.

Sri Lanka eyes more cooperation with China

in trade, education, science and defense,

Sirisena said, thanking China’s support for

Hambantota port and promising his country

will work with China to implement all the big

projects agreements reached.

The 21st Century maritime silk road also

emerge during their talks. Xi called on both

sides to make full use of the 40 billion U.S. dollar

Silk Road fund and the Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank to steadily push forward big

projects and industrial cooperation.

Calling the ancient Silk Road a shared

historical legacy, Sirisena said Sri Lanka is

willing to work with China within the

framework of the 21st Century maritime silk

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R) welcome Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena (2nd L) and his wife at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 26, 2015. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

2015 Boao Forum for Asia42 News From China April 2015

road.

Xi said China and Sri lanka should continue

bilateral friendly cooperation and be trust-

worthy and reliable friends. He said China

respects Sri Lankan people’s choice of

development path in accordance with their

national conditions and their efforts to

safeguard independence, sovereignty, stability

and development.

Both countries should understand and

support each other on territory and sovereignty

related issues, Xi said, adding that China is

willing to enhance exchanges with Sri Lanka in

state governance and hopes Sri Lanka can

achieve more in national development.

Sirisena thanked China’s firm backing for

his country in the United Nations Human Rights

Council and other international bodies. The U.N.

Human Rights Council postponed the release of

a report on alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka from

March until September after the new

government requested more time to do its own

probe into the violations.

After the talks, the two presidents witnessed

the signing of documents on infrastructure,

health and other sectors.

Prior to the talks, Xi held a red-carpet

ceremony for Sirisena at the Great Hall of the

People.

China, Indonesia Pledge Closer

Strategic Partnership

Beijing, March 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese

President Xi Jinping held talks with his

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) holds a welcoming ceremony for Indonesian President Joko Widodo (2nd L) before their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 26, 2015. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)


Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo Thursday

and they pledged to strengthen the

comprehensive strategic partnership between

the two countries.

“China and Indonesia are strategically

interdependent on, and economically

complementary to, each other and there is

immense potential for reciprocal cooperation

between the two countries,” Xi said as he talked

with the Indonesian president at the Great Hall

of the People.

At Xi’s invitation, Joko is paying his first

state visit to China this week and will attend

the the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA)

conference, which wil l be held from

Thursday to Sunday in south China’s Hainan

Province.

During the talks, the two presidents agreed

to sign a five-year plan of action for the

partnership.

This is the 65th year of China-Indonesia

diplomatic relations. Xi said Joko’s visit would

greatly boost practical cooperation between

the two countries in various areas.

Hailing development of ties, the two

presidents agreed to maintain high-level

exchanges, boost economic cooperation and

increase people-to-people and cultural

exchanges.

“The two sides hold the view that the 21st

Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by

President Xi Jinping, and the Strategy of the

Global Maritime Fulcrum initiated by President

Joko Widodo are complementary,” said a joint

statement issued after their talks.

According to the statement, China and

Indonesia agreed to strengthen strategy and

policy communication, advance maritime

i n f r a s t r u c t u r e c o n n e c t iv i t y, d e e p e n

cooperation in industrial investment and major

project construction, and enhance practical

cooperat ion to develop a “marit ime

partnership” together.

China will support Indonesia’s efforts to

a c c e l e r a t e m a r i t i m e i n f r a s t r u c t u r e

development with the help of the Asian

Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the

Silk Road Fund, Xi said, highlighting the

construction of ports, high speed railways,

airports and coastal economic special zones as

well as the ship-building sector.

Xi said China would also encourage more

Chinese enterprises to join Indonesia’s

development drive and was ready to expand

two-way investment.

China will support Indonesia in its

commemorat ive events for the 60th

anniversary of the Bandung Conference, which

Xi will attend, and will work closely with the

I n d o n e s i a n s i d e to p ro m o te m u t u a l

understanding among Asian and African

countries, deepen South-South cooperation and

achieve common development, according to the

Chinese president.

For his part, Joko said China was a close

friend of Indonesia and that they, along with all

other major developing countries, should play a

bigger role in international affairs.

Joko called on all countries to take

advantage of the 70th anniversary of the victory

of World War II to put an end to violence and

resolve problems through dialogue.

During the talks, Joko said Indonesia

w e l c o m e d C h i n e s e p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n

infrastructure construction.

The visit ing president also hoped

bilateral trade will reach 150 billion U.S.

dollars by 2020.

The two sides agreed to further promote

tourism cooperation to reach the annual target

of over 2 million exchange visits.

Xi and Joko witnessed the signing of a

string of deals on trade, infrastructure

construction, aviation, taxation, and search

and rescue at sea.

Prior to their talks, Xi held a red carpet

ceremony to welcome the Indonesian

president.


Boao, Hainan, March

26 (Xinhua) — The Boao

Forum for Asia (BFA)

began on Thursday in

the southern island

province of Hainan.

The four-day event

attracts nearly 1,800

d e l e g a t e s f r o m

g o v e r n m e n t s a n d

businesses worldwide,

i n c l u d i n g a re c o rd

number of leaders from

15 foreign countries, in

addition to more than

1,000 media staff.

President Xi Jinping

is scheduled to give a

keynote speech at the

opening ceremony.

Under the theme of “Asia’s New Future:

Towards a Community of Common Destiny”,

topics will span issues such as the China-

proposed “Belt and Road” initiatives to Asia’s

economic integration.

“BELT AND ROAD” PLAN

The “Belt and Road” initiatives will be a hot

topic at the gathering.

Xi proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt

and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road during

his visits to Central and Southeastern Asia in

2013.

The initiatives have attracted the attention

of the international community and have

received a warm response from the countries

involved.

Zhou Wenzhong, secretary-general of the

BFA, said the initiatives would promote

regional and global economic exchange and

development via cooperation.

The BFA will highlight the opportunities the

initiatives will offer to multinationals, the co-

c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e ro u t e s a n d t h e

establishment of the Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank (AIIB), which will be formally

established by the year end.

Britain, Germany and many Asian

economies have expressed the willingness to be

involved in the AIIB. The bank currently has 27

founding members and expects more.

The AIIB aims to facilitate infrastructure

investment in Asia and will be complementary

to established multilateral banks.

“As the initiatives are gradually realized,

they will have knock-on effects, which will

narrow regional gaps and accelerate

integration,” Zhou said.

Asia remains the most dynamic region in the

world, contributing over half of global economic

growth. However, many Asian economies,

Boao Forum Opens to Push Asian Development, Integration

A Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Cross-Straits Business Roundtable with the theme of "Innovate and

Benefit All: A New Future of Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation" is held during the 2015 BFA in

Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 29, 2015. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)


including China, must undertake structural

reform amid downward pressure.

The Asian Development Bank forecast that

developing economies in the region will

maintain 6.3 percent

year on year growth in

2015, but will have to

cope with uncertainties

from the United States’

rising rates, easing

policies of Japan and the

European Union and

volatile crude oil prices.

The largest economy

in the region, China, is

attempting to develop its

g r o w t h p a t t e r n

transformation amid the

“new normal” economic

period, which features

m e d i u m - h i g h l e v e l

growth, and will forge

ahead with reform, opening up and

technological innovation.

COMMUNITY OF COMMON DESTINY

China has adhered to a peaceful

development path. “We hope to promote the

consensus and voice of Asia. No matter how

complicated our disputes are, our common

interests and future cannot be divided,” said

Yang Xiyu, vice president of BFA Research

Institute.

The “Belt and Road” initiatives have secured

the support of nearly 60 countries linked by the

routes.

China created a 40 billion U.S. dollar Silk

Road Fund designed to finance the initiatives

last year.

“The multilateral non-governmental

exchange platform will make more people

understand the essence of the Belt and Road

plan,” said Yang.

Despite its growth prospects, Asia has

various risks such as territorial disputes

between nations and terrorism. If not properly

handled, the region’s development will be

stifled.

The forum voices China’s stance on Asian

and global issues and expresses significant

messages on China’s development, director of

the China (Hainan) Institute for Reform and

Development, Chi Fulin said on Thursday.

“Bracing for a new world economic

structure, new topics will push forward Asian

integration as a community of common destiny,”

Chi said.

Asia will remain one of the world’s most

important regions in 10 to 20 years and should

combine its development with the global trend,

Chi said.

China’s proposals suggest that it is

shouldering more responsibility as a great

power, Chi said.

Chi expects the BFA will be more open to the

world and sees a future where western

countries will participate in the forum.

“Asia cannot develop without other parts of

the world, which closely watch Asia’s progress,”

Chi said.

A sub-forum with the theme of "Transcending the Cold-War Mentality: A Fresh Outlook on Security Architecture in the Asia Pacific" is held during the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 29, 2015. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)


Boao, Hainan, March 26 (Xinhua) — The

annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia

(BFA) kicked off on Thursday in China’s Boao

town, southern Hainan Province. The following

are big talking points arranged in alphabetical

order compiled by Xinhua.

A|AIIB

The China-proposed Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank (AIIB) braces for a pivot point

on March 31, the application deadline for

prospective founding members. Already,

western countries including Britain, Germany,

France and Italy expressed willingness to be a

part of it. The bank currently has 27 founding

members and expects more to join.

The AIIB aims to facilitate infrastructure

investment in Asia and will be complementary

to established multilateral banks.

B|Boao

Boao, a semi-fishing and semi-farming

town, is the permanent venue for BFA

conference and has become an Asian version of

“Davos”. Meetings and dialogues on Asia’s

development are held there every spring.

The BFA, formally inaugurated on February

27, 2001, is the first Asia-led forum to promote

and deepen the economic exchange and

cooperation within the region and between

Asia and other parts of the world.

C|Community of Common Destiny

The theme of the annual conference in 2015

is “Asia’s New Future: Towards a Community of

Common Destiny” , voicing a shared desire of

Asian economies embrace common prosperity

by putting aside disputes and making joint

efforts amid economic hardships.

The forum will discuss how to intensify

cooperation in multiple fields to face challenges

and tap opportunities, prompting Asia to thrive

in the new future.

D|Diplomacy

The BFA’s 2015 annual conference will be a

grand stage for diplomacy. So far, 15 foreign

government leaders have confirmed attendance

to the conference including non-Asian countries

Armenia, Austria, Netherlands, Russia, Tanzania

and Zambia.

During the period, China’ s bilateral and

multilateral diplomatic activities deserve close

attention.

E|Entrepreneurs

The forum has attracted more than two

fifths of the Fortune 500 companies, with

e x e c u t i v e s a t t e n d i n g t o t a l k a b o u t

entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. A

series of CEO dialogues will be held between

Chinese enterprises and their counterparts

from Australia, the United States, the European

Union and Japan respectively.

F|Financial policy

Topics on finance and policies including “the

next financial crisis”, shadow banking and new

forces in multilateral financial organizations

will be highlights.

Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s

Bank of China, Joachim Nagel, member of the

Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank,

and Carlos Gutierrez, former Secretary of

Commerce, will discuss monetary policy and

world economic outlook.

G|Global governance

Global governance will be a hot topic at the

forum. China’s Finance Minister, Lou Jiwei will

discuss with heads of the International

Monetary Funds, World Bank and the

Organization for Economic Co-operation and

Development to make G20 better play its role in

global economic governance.

H|Housing market

The property sector drove China’s economic

growth in the past decade but faces increasing

risk as investment chills. With property taxes in

the pipeline and a national registration system

soon in place, speculative capital is leaving the

scene. Where is the sector heading? Officials,

experts and developers will tell you.

A-Z of 2015 Boao Forum for Asia in Spotlight


I|Innovation

Innovation and technology will be another

hot topic this time. Bill Gates, Co-chair of Bill &

Melinda Gates Foundation, Elon Musk, CEO of

Tesla Motors and Robin Li, CEO of Baidu will

discuss the significance of innovation for a

sustainable future. Dialogues on big data,

wearable devices, e-commerce, artificial

intelligence, 3D printing and new energy

vehicles are also expected.

J|Judiciary

It is the first time that judiciary becomes a

part of the forum. China’s Chief Justice Zhou

Qiang will attend the BRICS’s Chief Justices

Dialogue on pollution control.

K|Knowledge

The conference this year contains more

than 70 dialogues on nearly all major topics.

The BFA has published Progress of Asian

Economic Integration Annual Report, Asian

C o m p e t i t ive n e s s A n n u a l Re p o r t a n d

Development of Emerging Economies Annual

Report.

The BFA will release the 2015 Asian

Economy Forward-looking Indicator on Friday,

with two other reports on rural finance and

Internet finance expected.

L|Leaders

Record number of government leaders will

attend the BFA annual conference this year. But

magnates of other fields will share their

spotlight. Among them are Bill Gates, Ratan

Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons Ltd., Li

Yang, vice president of China Academy of Social

Sciences, Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth

Institute at Columbia University, Ming-Chu

Fung, president of Taipei Palace Museum, and

Thomas Friedman, author of The World is Flat.

M|Miracle

Asia never lacks miracles. From the East

Asian Miracle to China’s stunning growth, the

regions awed the world in recent 30 years.

Whether the miracles can last is closely

watched by the world. Justin Yifu Lin, witness of

the development and renowned economist, will

address on the topic at the conference.

N|New normal

Buzz word “new normal” has become a

widely-recognized description for China’s

policy making and economic outlook amid

slowing global recovery.

As the world’s second largest economy,

largest exporter and the third largest global

investor, China’s move in this new period will

bring significant changes to the world. The

forum will serve as a window to show the new

term to the world.

O|Outlook

“Outlook” will be a major perspective to

interpret economic and social development.

The outlook of multilateral investment

agreements, “the next financial crisis” and

unconventional monetary policy will be

highlighted in dialogues.

The BFA Board of Directors will discuss

global economic outlook of 2015 and Asia’s

prospects under the background of the slowing

recovery.

P|Pollution

Po l l u t i o n c o n t ro l h a s b e c o m e a n

increasingly urgent matter for rapidly-growing

Asian economies after modernization

progressed at the cost of the environment. The

forum will try to tackle pollution by the power of

judiciary with help of BRICS’s Chief Justices.

Other topics include smog and health,

underground water, soil pollution and

rehabilitation and sustainable development.

Q|Question

What is the role Asia will play in the global

recovery? Will it maintain a robust economic

engine despite external uncertainties? Can

China continue to lead emerging economies?

These questions will be asked with leaders and

thinkers attempting to answer.

R|Regional cooperation

Regional cooperation has remained a focus

of the forum in recent years. This year it will

highlight the “Belt and Road” initiatives,

collaboration with Association of Southeast

Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Community of a

Common Destiny. The Year of China-ASEAN

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

Reviving the Silk Road48 News From China April 2015

Maritime Cooperation will also be launched

during the period.

S|Silk Road

A long-expected national plan to

materialize the China-led “Belt and Road”

initiatives will likely be unveiled during the

forum. The AIIB and Silk Road Fund will

facilitate the initiatives which have been

supported by more than 50 countries and

regions along the routes.

The planned Silk Road Economic Belt and

the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road was

proposed in 2013 and wil l improve

infrastructure and facilitate connectivity to lay

the foundation of a prosperous Asia.

T|Transformation

Transformation is a key word at the

conference. This year, it will focus on

transformation of the “new normal” for the

Chinese economy, exporters’ transformation

and Hong Kong’s trade and logistics upgrade.

F r o m e n t e r p r i s e s t o e c o n o m i e s ,

“transformation” has been pivot to adjust to a

changing external circumstance.

U|Urbanization

Like China, which is in the middle of

urbanization, most of Asian countries are

groping for their own paths and facing

respective challenges. Attendees will discuss

urbanization of rural laborers in cities and

agriculture against the backdrop.

V|Virus

From the Black Death to HIV, SARS to Ebola,

viruses have influenced human civilization on

unexpected scales and in ways medical

technology, whether advanced or lagging, could

not influence.

Scholars, businessmen and officials will

discuss the possibility of setting up a global

early-warning system to detect new diseases

and the unexpected spread of the old ones.

W|World economy

The global economy may have got through

the worst, but downward pressures and risks

still loom at large. The BFA will discuss Asia’s

role in driving world economic growth.

X|Xi Jinping

It will be the second appearance for

President Xi at BFA’s annual conference after he

became the country’s top leader. His keynote

speech is expected to have profound influence

on regional cooperation.

Y|Yasuo Fukuda

Chairman of the BFA, the former Prime

Minister of Japan will give welcoming remarks

at the opening plenary on March 28 and talk

about East Asian Economic Community at a

dinner party the same day.

Z|Zones

Four free trade zones (FTZ) in Shanghai,

Tianjin, Guangdong and Fujian have unveiled

China exploration of a feasible path to push

reform, open up and seek the right balance

between government and market.

The progress is significant to trade and

cooperation with neighboring regions including

the ASEAN economies.

REVIVING THE SILK ROAD

“Belt and Road”: Not China's Solo But Inspiring Chorus

Boao, China, March 28 (Xinhua) — The “Belt

and Road” initiatives will not be a solo for China

but a real chorus comprising all countries along

the routes, Chinese President Xi Jinping said

Saturday.

Xi made the remarks while delivering a

keynote speech at the opening plenary of the

annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia in

Reviving the Silk Road 49News From China April 2015

this small town in south China’s Hainan

Province.

The “Belt and Road” initiatives, aimed at

meeting the development needs of China,

countries along the routes and the region at

large, will serve the common interests of

relevant parties and answer the call of the times

for regional and global cooperation, Xi said.

Noting that the initiatives will be carried out

following principles of wide consultation, joint

contribution and shared benefits, Xi said the

“Belt and Road” will be built on existing basis to

help countries align their development

strategies and form complementarity, with no

intention of replacing existing mechanisms or

initiatives for regional cooperation.

Stressing that the “Belt and Road” initiatives

and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

(AIIB) are both open initiatives, Xi said all

countries along the routes in Asia, as well as

China’s friends and partners around the world,

are welcomed to take an active part in these

endeavors.

The “Belt and Road” initiatives, namely, the

Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century

Maritime Silk Road, were put forward by Xi

during his visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia in

2013.

The Silk Road Economic Belt is to be

established along the ancient Silk Road trade

route, stretching northwest from China’s coastal

area through Central Asia on to Europe, while

the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will run

from China’s south to Southeast Asia and even

Africa.

The vision, once realized, will directly

benefit 4.4 billion people, or 63 percent of the

global population.

So far, more than 60 countries along the

routes and international organizations have

shown interest in taking part in the two

initiatives.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening plenary of the 2015 annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2015. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)


It is my pleasure to join you at this session.

This auditorium reminds me of last year’s

session on the silk road, which sparked lively

discussions among so many attendants. This

year, the session on the 21st Century Maritime

Silk Road has touched off more extensive

discussions by even more participants, which

fully testifies to the appeal and influence of

China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. I believe the

fact that we are having the discussion in the

beautiful province of Hainan, a place

surrounded by the sea, gives our meeting

exceptional significance. On behalf of the

Chinese government, I wish to extend my

warmest congratulations on the opening of this

session and the launching of the Year of China-

ASEAN Maritime Cooperation and my heartfelt

welcome to all the distinguished guests from

other countries and friends of various sectors.

The Silk Road has long been known for its

overland and maritime routes since the ancient

times. The two routes complemented each other

with flying colors, adding a brilliant chapter to

the annals of human civilization.

Jointly Build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road By Deepening Mutual Trust and Enhancing Connectivity

Speech by State Councilor Yang Jiechi

At the Session of "Jointly Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road" And Launching of the Year of China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation

28 March 2015


The ancient maritime Silk Road was opened

and operated by the people of Asia, Europe and

Africa. For hundreds of years, a large number of

ports thrived along the coastlines on the West

Pacific, the South China Sea and the Indian

Ocean. Calling on these ports were not only

ships carrying silk, but also those loaded with

porcelain, ironware, spices, precious stones and

books. Crew and passengers included Chinese,

Europeans, people from Southeast and South

Asia, Arabs and Africans, who came to each

other’s aid readily as travellers in the same boat.

In the early 15th century, the great Chinese

navigator Zheng He who led the world’s biggest

fleet at the time on a total of seven expeditions,

reaching as far as East Africa, the Red Sea and

the Persian Gulf. They did not invade, colonize

or swindle, but went for trade along with

spreading amity and cracking down on piracy.

Zheng He’s fleet received welcome and

assistance from the countries along the route

and touching stories about Zheng He are still

being told to this day.

In 2013, President Xi Jinping put forward

the major “Belt and Road” initiative. Countries

and people along the route have applauded it.

We all agree to make the building of a

community of common destiny for win-win

cooperation the goal of our endeavor. And we all

agree to move forward the building of overland

and maritime silk roads in tandem.

Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk

Road is the continuation and development of

the ancient maritime Silk Road. What we want

to continue pushing forward is the Silk Road

spirit featuring peace, friendship, openness,

inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual

benefit. What we want is to properly design

cooperation pivots and economic corridors on

the sea for all-round maritime cooperation in

this age of economic globalization and

multipolarity. While upholding its own

maritime rights and interests, China stands

ready to work together with other countries to

build maritime partnerships of win-win

cooperation.

Thanks to the joint efforts of China and

some other countries in the past year and more,

the building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk

Road has made steady headway and entered a

new stage of practical cooperation. China held a

successful APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial

Meeting. Good progress has been made in the

development of China-Laos and China-Vietnam

cross-border economic cooperation zones, the

China-Laos railway project, the railway project

in Thailand, and the stage II dredging of

international waterways of the Lancang-

Mekong River. China and Kazakhstan have

jointly launched the logistics terminal at

Lianyungang. China has worked with Indonesia,

Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and

Greece respectively in deepening cooperation

on port construction and operation. China has

engaged in active discussions with ASEAN, the

Gulf Cooperation Council and Sri Lanka on

establishing or upgrading FTA, and signed

agreements with Indonesia and others on

industrial park cooperation. The Qinzhou

Industrial Park and the Kuantan Industrial Park

jointly created by China and Malaysia are good

examples for such cooperation. China has also

carried out a variety of ocean-related

cooperation with Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia,

India and Sri Lanka while steadily pushing

multiple projects supported by the China-

ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund and the

China-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation Fund.

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road

foresees an extensive and open-ended coverage.

Linking European and Asia-Pacific economic

rims across four oceans, the Road focuses on the

Southeast Asian countries, connects South Asia,

West Asia and some African and European

countries and naturally extends to the South

Pacific. All countries around the world,

international organizations, multinational

corporations, NGOs and all ocean-loving people

from various sectors can join and play a

constructive part in its development.

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will

present a rich and colorful program of

cooperation. In addition to maritime transport

and resource development, it will involve


research, environmental protection, tourism,

disaster reduction and prevention, law

enforcement cooperation and people-to-people

exchanges on the sea. Not only will it look at the

development of the blue economy and building

of oceanic economic demonstration zones

offshore, it will also build onshore industrial

parks, marine science and technology parks

and training bases for ocean-related personnel.

Not only will we go utilizing the oceanic

resources, we will also protect well our oceanic

environment. Not only should we deliver a good

life to our people along the coast, we should also

bring about an interconnected development of

the hinterland and coastal regions to achieve

common prosperity.

As for how to advance the development of

the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, China is

ready to listen to suggestions and proposals

from other countries, ASEAN countries

included. As I see it, a good job in this regard

requires that we bear in our mind three key

words.

The first word is mutual trust. Asia on the

whole enjoys stability with relations between

countries growing steadily. Of course, there is

the need for some neighbors to further enhance

trust and dispel misgivings. Asian countries

enjoy bright propects for win-win cooperation.

Let us take forward our maritime cooperation

with confidence and sicerity. And through

building the Maritime Silk Road, we can deepen

our mutual trust and work together to maintain

peace and development in the region.

Let me reiterate here that as the 21st

Century Maritime Silk Road focuses mainly on

economic and people-to-people cooperation,it

will not, in principle, involve issues of

controversy. The “Belt and Road” initiative is

consistent with the principles of China’s

neighborhood diplomacy, namely, affinity,

sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. The

21st Century Maritime Silk Road is by no means

a tool for any country to seek geopolitical

advantages. Rather, it is a public good for all

countries. It will tolerate no monopoly or

coercion of whatever form. Rather, everyone is

equally treated while business is conducted

through consultation.

The second word is connectivity. Countries

along the Belt and Road differ in national

conditions and vary greatly in level of maritime

development and protection. It is neither

realistic nor advisable to measure them against

the same set of ideas, plans and model of

cooperation. One of the original features of the

21st Century Maritime Silk Road is its much

stressed connectivity. It is not about one party

accepting the plan made by another or one party

following the rules set by another. It is instead

an exercise of looking for common ground and

areas of cooperation on the basis of mutual

respect, leading to the formulation of a joint

plan.

Connectivity is needed in many areas. Take

connectivity of development strategies for

example. President Joko Widodo of Indonesia

has talked about building a maritime power

with a maritime highway. This is very much in

line with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road

initiative. Maritime cooperation, therefore, is

becoming a new engine for the bilateral

cooperation between China and Indonesia. The

21st Century Maritime Silk Road can also be

aligned with the blueprints for the ASEAN

Community.

Next, with respect to project and enterprise

matching. Quite a few Asian and European

cou n t r ies a re s tep p in g u p p ort a n d

infrastructure development, expanding

shipping, fishing and fish processing industries

and planning industrial parks, special zones,

bonded areas and free trade zones near their

ports. There are many such projects in the

pipeline and with good market prospects.

Chinese companies have both experience and

capability in these fields. We suggest that our

governments facilitate business partnerships

by helping our enterprises to match up their

projects so that they can complement each

other while sharing risks and gains.

There is also a need for institutional

connectivity. The region already abounds with

bilateral and multilateral mechanisms and


platforms on maritime cooperation. In addition

to Boao Forum for Asia, we have ASEAN Plus

China, APEC, ESCAP and so on. It is necessary to

enhance communication and coordination

among these mechanisms so as to improve

integration of resources and collaboration on

the basis of proper division of labor.

The third word is early harvest. Only when

countries along the route reap the benefit from

the development of the Maritime Silk Road at an

e a r l y d a t e w i l l t h e y b e c o m e m o r e

enthusiastically involved. China hopes to work

with countries along the route in identifying

some demonstration projects, getting them

started once conditions are ripe so that results

can be gained at an early date. China is ready to

work with ASEAN countries to conclude

without delay an inter-governmental

cooperation document on jointly building the

Maritime Silk Road, and start to draw up

cooperation plans and identify key cooperation

projects.

This year is the Year of China-ASEAN

Maritime Cooperation. China and ASEAN

countries will carry out practical cooperation

on marine economy, maritime connectivity,

marine science research and environmental

protection, safety and security, and cultural and

people-to-people exchanges on the sea. We will

open a China-ASEAN maritime cooperation

center, set up a China-ASEAN maritime

emergency helpline, and launch the China-

ASEAN Ocean College. Today, we are gathered

here to launch the Year of Maritime Cooperation

and kick off the year’s events. We hope that

maritime cooperation will become yet another

new highlight and a new engine for the growing

China-ASEAN relations and the all-dimensional

maritime cooperation between China and

ASEAN will become a model for the

development of the 21st Century Maritime Silk

Road.

This morning, President Xi pointed out in his

speech at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual

conference 2015 that the “Belt and Road”

initiative follows the principles of wide

consultations, joint contribution and shared

benefits. It will be a real chorus comprising all

countries along the routes and represents real

work that can be seen and felt. It is bringing and

will continue to bring tangible benefits to

countries in the region. We look forward to

seeing more friends join in the building of the

21st Century Maritime Silk Road in various

ways. I sincerely hope and truly believe that all

of us will seize this opportunity and work in

concert towards the promising prospects of the

21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Thank you.

Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road

Issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, with State

Council Authorization

March 2015First Edition 2015

Preface

More than two millennia ago the diligent

and courageous people of Eurasia explored and

opened up several routes of trade and cultural

exchanges that linked the major civilizations of

Asia, Europe and Africa, collectively called the


Silk Road by later generations. For thousands of

years, the Silk Road Spirit – “peace and

cooperation, openness and inclusiveness,

mutual learning and mutual benefit” – has been

passed from generation to generation,

promoted the progress of human civilization,

and contributed greatly to the prosperity and

development of the countries along the Silk

Road. Symbolizing communication and

cooperation between the East and the West, the

Silk Road Spirit is a historic and cultural

heritage shared by all countries around the

world.

In the 21st century, a new era marked by the

theme of peace, development, cooperation and

mutual benefit, it is all the more important for

us to carry on the Silk Road Spirit in face of the

weak recovery of the global economy, and

complex international and regional situations.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited

Central Asia and Southeast Asia in September

and October of 2013, he raised the initiative of

jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and

the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road

(hereinafter referred to as the Belt and Road),

which have attracted close attention from all

over the world. At the China-ASEAN Expo in

2013, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasized

the need to build the Maritime Silk Road

oriented towards ASEAN, and to create strategic

propellers for hinterland development.

Accelerating the building of the Belt and Road

can help promote the economic prosperity of

the countries along the Belt and Road and

regional economic cooperation, strengthen

exchanges and mutual learning between

different civilizations, and promote world peace

and development. It is a great undertaking that

will benefit people around the world.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a systematic

project, which should be jointly built through

consultation to meet the interests of all, and

The first stop of the Maritime Silk Road Art and Culture Exhibition was held in Brunei on March 16,2015. (Xinhua/Zheng Jie)


efforts should be made to integrate the

development strategies of the countries along

the Belt and Road. The Chinese government has

drafted and published the Vision and Actions on

Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and

21st-Century Maritime Silk Road to promote

the implementation of the Initiative, instill

vigor and vitality into the ancient Silk Road,

connect Asian, European and African countries

more closely and promote mutually beneficial

cooperation to a new high and in new forms.

I. Background

Complex and profound changes are taking

place in the world. The underlying impact of the

international financial crisis keeps emerging;

the world economy is recovering slowly, and

g l o b a l d e ve l o p m e n t i s u n e ve n ; t h e

international trade and investment landscape

and rules for multilateral trade and investment

are undergoing major adjustments; and

countries still face big challenges to their

development.

The initiative to jointly build the Belt and

Road, embracing the trend towards a multipolar

world, economic globalization, cultural

diversity and greater IT application, is designed

to uphold the global free trade regime and the

open world economy in the spirit of open

regional cooperation. It is aimed at promoting

orderly and free flow of economic factors, highly

efficient allocation of resources and deep

integration of markets; encouraging the

countries along the Belt and Road to achieve

economic policy coordination and carry out

broader and more in-depth regional

cooperation of higher standards; and jointly

creating an open, inclusive and balanced

regional economic cooperation architecture

that benefits all. Jointly building the Belt and

Road is in the interests of the world community.

Reflecting the common ideals and pursuit of

human societies, it is a positive endeavor to seek

new models of international cooperation and

global governance, and will inject new positive

energy into world peace and development.

The Belt and Road Initiative aims to promote

Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai (R) and Greek Deputy Prime Minister Yiannis Dragasakis attend the opening ceremony of 2015 China-Greece Maritime Cooperation Year in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2015. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)


the connectivity of Asian, European and African

continents and their adjacent seas, establish

and strengthen partnerships among the

countries along the Belt and Road, set up all-

dimensional, multi-tiered and composite

connectivity networks, and realize diversified,

independent, balanced and sustainable

development in these countries. The

connectivity projects of the Initiative will help

pattern of all-round opening-up, and integrate

itself deeper into the world economic system.

The Initiative will enable China to further

expand and deepen its opening-up, and to

strengthen its mutually beneficial cooperation

with countries in Asia, Europe and Africa and

the rest of the world. China is committed to

shouldering more responsibilities and

obligations within its capabilities, and making

align and coordinate the development

strategies of the countries along the Belt and

Road, tap market potential in this region,

promote investment and consumption, create

demands and job opportunities, enhance

people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and

mutual learning among the peoples of the

relevant countries, and enable them to

understand, trust and respect each other and

live in harmony, peace and prosperity.

China’s economy is closely connected with

the world economy. China will stay committed

to the basic policy of opening-up, build a new

greater contributions to the peace and

development of mankind.

II. Principles

The Belt and Road Initiative is in line with

the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It

upholds the Five Principles of Peaceful

Coexistence: mutual respect for each other’s

sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual

non-aggression, mutual non-interference in

each other’s internal affairs, equality and

mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

The Initiative is open for cooperation. It

covers, but is not limited to, the area of the

A roundtable meeting on China’s “Belt and Road” initiatives during the 2015 Boao Forum.


ancient Silk Road. It is open to all countries, and

international and regional organizations for

engagement, so that the results of the concerted

efforts will benefit wider areas.

The Initiative is harmonious and inclusive.

It advocates tolerance among civilizations,

respects the paths and modes of development

chosen by different countries, and supports

dialogues among different civilizations on the

principles of seeking common ground while

shelving differences and drawing on each

other’s strengths, so that all countries can

coexist in peace for common prosperity.

The Initiative follows market operation. It

will abide by market rules and international

norms, give play to the decisive role of the

market in resource allocation and the primary

role of enterprises, and let the governments

perform their due functions.

The Initiative seeks mutual benefit. It

accommodates the interests and concerns of all

parties involved, and seeks a conjunction of

i n t e re s t s a n d t h e “ b i g g e s t c o m m o n

denominator” for cooperation so as to give full

play to the wisdom and creativity, strengths and

potentials of all parties.

III. Framework

The Belt and Road Initiative is a way for win-

win cooperation that promotes common

development and prosperity and a road towards

peace and friendship by enhancing mutual

understanding and trust, and strengthening all-

round exchanges. The Chinese government

advocates peace and cooperation, openness and

inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual

benefit. It promotes practical cooperation in all

fields, and works to build a community of shared

interests, destiny and responsibility featuring

mutual political trust, economic integration and

cultural inclusiveness.

The Belt and Road run through the

continents of Asia, Europe and Africa,

connecting the vibrant East Asia economic

A seminar on Silk Road Initiatives opened in Hong Kong on April 9, 2015.


circle at one end and developed European

economic circle at the other, and encompassing

countries with huge potential for economic

development. The Silk Road Economic Belt

focuses on bringing together China, Central

Asia, Russia and Europe (the Baltic); linking

China with the Persian Gulf and the

Mediterranean Sea through Central Asia and

West Asia; and connecting China with Southeast

Asia, South Asia and the Indian Ocean. The 21st-

Century Maritime Silk Road is designed to go

from China’s coast to Europe through the South

China Sea and the Indian Ocean in one route,

and from China’s coast through the South China

Sea to the South Pacific in the other.

On land, the Initiative will focus on jointly

building a new Eurasian Land Bridge and

developing China-Mongolia-Russia, China-

Central Asia-West Asia and China-Indochina

Peninsula economic corridors by taking

advantage of international transport routes,

relying on core cities along the Belt and Road

and using key economic industrial parks as

cooperation platforms. At sea, the Initiative will

focus on jointly building smooth, secure and

efficient transport routes connecting major sea

ports along the Belt and Road. The China-

Pakistan Economic Corridor and the

Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic

Corridor are closely related to the Belt and Road

Initiative, and therefore require closer

cooperation and greater progress.

The Initiative is an ambitious economic

vision of the opening-up of and cooperation

among the countries along the Belt and Road.

Countries should work in concert and move

towards the objectives of mutual benefit and

common security. To be specific, they need to

improve the region’s infrastructure, and put in

place a secure and efficient network of land, sea

and air passages, lifting their connectivity to a

higher level; further enhance trade and

investment facilitation, establish a network of

free trade areas that meet high standards,

The first large shopping center which is jointly built by China and Laos opened in Vientiane on March 28,2015. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun)


maintain closer economic ties, and deepen

political trust; enhance cultural exchanges;

encourage different civilizations to learn from

each other and flourish together; and promote

mutual understanding, peace and friendship

among people of all countries.

IV. Cooperation Priorities

Countries along the Belt and Road have

their own resource advantages and their

economies are mutually complementary.

Therefore, there is a great potential and space

for cooperation. They should promote policy

c o o rd i n a t i o n , fa c i l i t i e s c o n n e c t iv i t y,

unimpeded trade, financial integration and

people-to-people bonds as their five major

goals, and strengthen cooperation in the

following key areas:

Policy coordination

Enhancing policy coordination is an

important guarantee for implementing the

Initiative. We should promote inter-

governmental cooperation, build a multi-level

intergovernmental macro policy exchange and

communication mechanism, expand shared

interests, enhance mutual political trust, and

reach new cooperation consensus. Countries

along the Belt and Road may fully coordinate

their economic development strategies and

policies, work out plans and measures for

regional cooperation, negotiate to solve

cooperation-related issues, and jointly provide

policy support for the implementation of

practical cooperation and large-scale projects.

Facilities connectivity

Facilities connectivity is a priority area for

implementing the Initiative. On the basis of

respecting each other’s sovereignty and

security concerns, countries along the Belt and

Road should improve the connectivity of their

infrastructure construction plans and technical

standard systems, jointly push forward the

c o n s t r u c t i o n o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r u n k

passageways, and form an infrastructure

Workers prepare for 2015 CeBIT Technology Trade Fair in Hanover, Germany, on March 14, 2015. (Xinhua/Luo Huanhuan)


network connecting all sub-regions in Asia, and

between Asia, Europe and Africa step by step. At

the same time, efforts should be made to

promote green and low-carbon infrastructure

construction and operation management,

taking into full account the impact of climate

change on the construction.

With regard to transport infrastructure

construction, we should focus on the key

passageways, junctions and projects, and give

priority to linking up unconnected road

sections, removing transport bottlenecks,

advancing road safety facilities and traffic

management facilities and equipment, and

improving road network connectivity. We

should build a unified coordination mechanism

for whole-course transportation, increase

connectivity of customs clearance, reloading

and multimodal transport between countries,

and gradually formulate compatible and

standard transport rules, so as to realize

international transport facilitation. We should

push forward port infrastructure construction,

build smooth land-water transportation

channels, and advance port cooperation;

increase sea routes and the number of voyages,

and enhance information technology

cooperation in maritime logistics. We should

expand and build platforms and mechanisms

for comprehensive civil aviation cooperation,

and quicken our pace in improving aviation

infrastructure.

We should promote cooperation in the

connectivity of energy infrastructure, work in

concert to ensure the security of oil and gas

pipelines and other transport routes, build

cross-border power supply networks and

power-transmission routes, and cooperate in

re g i o n a l p o we r g r i d u p g ra d i n g a n d

transformation.

We should jointly advance the construction

of cross-border optical cables and other

communications trunk line networks, improve

international communications connectivity,

Railway plays important role in the construction of Silk Road Economic Belt.


and create an Information Silk Road. We should

build bilateral cross-border optical cable

n e t w o r k s a t a q u i c k e r p a c e , p l a n

transcontinental submarine optical cable

projects, and improve spatial (satellite)

i n fo r m a t i o n p a s s a g e ways to ex p a n d

information exchanges and cooperation.

Unimpeded trade

Investment and trade cooperation is a

major task in building the Belt and Road. We

should strive to improve investment and trade

facilitation, and remove investment and trade

barriers for the creation of a sound business

environment within the region and in all related

countries. We will discuss with countries and

regions along the Belt and Road on opening free

trade areas so as to unleash the potential for

expanded cooperation.

Countries along the Belt and Road should

enhance customs cooperation such as

information exchange, mutual recognition of

regulations, and mutual assistance in law

e n fo rc e m e n t ; i m p rove b i l a te ra l a n d

multilateral cooperation in the fields of

inspection and quarantine, certification and

accreditation, standard measurement, and

statistical information; and work to ensure that

the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement takes

effect and is implemented. We should improve

the customs clearance facilities of border ports,

establish a “single-window” in border ports,

reduce customs clearance costs, and improve

customs clearance capability. We should

increase cooperation in supply chain safety and

convenience, improve the coordination of

cross-border supervision procedures, promote

online checking of inspection and quarantine

certificates, and facilitate mutual recognition of

Authorized Economic Operators. We should

lower non-tariff barriers, jointly improve the

transparency of technical trade measures, and

enhance trade liberalization and facilitation.

We should expand trading areas, improve

trade structure, explore new growth areas of

trade, and promote trade balance. We should

make innovations in our forms of trade, and

develop cross-border e-commerce and other

modern business models. A service trade

support system should be set up to consolidate

and expand conventional trade, and efforts to

develop modern service trade should be

strengthened. We should integrate investment

and trade, and promote trade through

investment.

We should speed up investment facilitation,

eliminate investment barriers, and push

forward negotiations on bilateral investment

protection agreements and double taxation

avoidance agreements to protect the lawful

rights and interests of investors.

We should expand mutual investment areas,

deepen cooperation in agriculture, forestry,

animal husbandry and fisheries, agricultural

machinery manufacturing and farm produce

processing, and promote cooperation in

marine-product farming, deep-sea fishing,

aquatic product processing, seawater

desalination, marine biopharmacy, ocean

engineering technology, environmental

protection industries, marine tourism and other

fields. We should increase cooperation in the

exploration and development of coal, oil, gas,

metal minerals and other conventional energy

sources; advance cooperation in hydropower,

nuclear power, wind power, solar power and

other clean, renewable energy sources; and

promote cooperation in the processing and

conversion of energy and resources at or near

places where they are exploited, so as to create

an integrated industrial chain of energy and

resource cooperation. We should enhance

cooperation in deep-processing technology,

equipment and engineering services in the

fields of energy and resources.

We should push forward cooperation in

emerging industries. In accordance with the

principles of mutual complementarity and

mutual benefit, we should promote in-depth

cooperation with other countries along the Belt


and Road in new-generation information

technology, biotechnology, new energy

technology, new materials and other emerging

industries, and establish entrepreneurial and

investment cooperation mechanisms.

We should improve the division of labor and

distribution of industrial chains by encouraging

the entire industrial chain and related

industries to develop in concert; establish R&D,

production and marketing systems; and

improve industrial supporting capacity and the

overall competitiveness of regional industries.

We should increase the openness of our service

industry to each other to accelerate the

development of regional service industries. We

should explore a new mode of investment

cooperation, working together to build all

forms of industrial parks such as overseas

economic and trade cooperation zones and

cross-border economic cooperation zones, and

promote industrial cluster development. We

should promote ecological progress in

conducting investment and trade, increase

cooperation in conserving eco-environment,

protecting biodiversity, and tackling climate

change, and join hands to make the Silk Road an

environment-friendly one.

We welcome companies from all countries

to invest in China, and encourage Chinese

enterprises to participate in infrastructure

construction in other countries along the Belt

and Road, and make industrial investments

there. We support localized operation and

management of Chinese companies to boost the

local economy, increase local employment,

improve local livelihood, and take social

responsibilities in protecting local biodiversity

and eco-environment.

Financial integration

Financial integration is an important

underpinning for implementing the Belt and

Road Initiative. We should deepen financial

cooperation, and make more efforts in building

a currency stability system, investment and

financing system and credit information system

in Asia. We should expand the scope and scale of

bilateral currency swap and settlement with

China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone opened on March 13, 2015 in South China's Fujian Province.


other countries along the Belt and Road, open

and develop the bond market in Asia, make joint

efforts to establish the Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank and BRICS New Development

Bank, conduct negotiation among related

parties on establishing Shanghai Cooperation

Organization (SCO) financing institution, and

set up and put into operation the Silk Road Fund

as early as possible. We should strengthen

practical cooperation of China-ASEAN

Interbank Association and SCO Interbank

Association, and carry out multilateral financial

cooperation in the form of syndicated loans and

bank credit. We will support the efforts of

governments of the countries along the Belt and

Road and their companies and financial

institutions with good credit-rating to issue

Renminbi bonds in China. Qualified Chinese

financial institutions and companies are

encouraged to issue bonds in both Renminbi

and foreign currencies outside China, and use

the funds thus collected in countries along the

Belt and Road.

We should strengthen financial regulation

cooperation, encourage the signing of MOUs on

cooperation in bilateral financial regulation,

and establish an efficient regulation

coordination mechanism in the region. We

should improve the system of risk response and

crisis management, build a regional financial

risk early-warning system, and create an

exchange and cooperation mechanism of

addressing cross-border risks and crisis. We

should increase cross-border exchange and

cooperation between credit investigation

regulators, credit investigation institutions and

credit rating institutions. We should give full

play to the role of the Silk Road Fund and that of

sovereign wealth funds of countries along the

Belt and Road, and encourage commercial

equity investment funds and private funds to

participate in the construction of key projects of

the Initiative.

People-to-people bond

People-to-people bond provides the public

support for implementing the Initiative. We

should carry forward the spirit of friendly

cooperation of the Silk Road by promoting

extensive cultural and academic exchanges,

personnel exchanges and cooperation, media

cooperation, youth and women exchanges and

volunteer services, so as to win public support

for deepening bilateral and multilateral

cooperation.

We should send more students to each

other’s countries, and promote cooperation in

jointly running schools. China provides 10,000

government scholarships to the countries along

the Belt and Road every year. We should hold

culture years, arts festivals, film festivals, TV

weeks and book fairs in each other’s countries;

cooperate on the production and translation of

fine films, radio and TV programs; and jointly

apply for and protect World Cultural Heritage

sites. We should also increase personnel

exchange and cooperation between countries

along the Belt and Road.

We should enhance cooperation in and

expand the scale of tourism; hold tourism

promotion weeks and publicity months in each

other’s countries; jointly create competitive

international tourist routes and products with

Silk Road features; and make it more convenient

to apply for tourist visa in countries along the

Belt and Road. We should push forward

cooperation on the 21st-Century Maritime Silk

Road cruise tourism program. We should carry

out sports exchanges and support countries

along the Belt and Road in their bid for hosting

major international sports events.

We should strengthen cooperation with

neighboring countries on epidemic information

sharing, the exchange of prevention and

treatment technologies and the training of

medical professionals, and improve our

capability to jointly address public health

emergencies. We will provide medical

assistance and emergency medical aid to

relevant countries, and carry out practical

cooperation in maternal and child health,


disability rehabilitation, and major infectious

diseases including AIDS, tuberculosis and

malaria. We will also expand cooperation on

traditional medicine.

We should increase our cooperation in

science and technology, establish joint labs (or

research centers), international technology

transfer centers and maritime cooperation

centers, promote sci-tech personnel exchanges,

cooperate in tackling key sci-tech problems,

and work together to improve sci-tech

innovation capability.

We should integrate existing resources to

expand and advance practical cooperation

between countries along the Belt and Road on

youth employment, entrepreneurship training,

vocational skill development, social security

management, public administration and

management and in other areas of common

interest.

We should give full play to the bridging role

of communication between political parties and

parliaments, and promote friendly exchanges

between legislative bodies, major political

parties and political organizations of countries

along the Belt and Road. We should carry out

exchanges and cooperation among cities,

encourage major cities in these countries to

become sister cities, focus on promoting

practical cooperation, particularly cultural and

people-to-people exchanges, and create more

lively examples of cooperation. We welcome the

think tanks in the countries along the Belt and

Road to jointly conduct research and hold

forums.

We should increase exchanges and

cooperation between non-governmental

organizations of countries along the Belt and

Road, organize public interest activities

concerning education, health care, poverty

reduction, biodiversity and ecological

protection for the benefit of the general public,

and improve the production and living

conditions of poverty-stricken areas along the

Belt and Road. We should enhance international

exchanges and cooperation on culture and

media, and leverage the positive role of the

Internet and new media tools to foster

A foreign businessman working together with Chinese partner in Qinzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China, which is a famous city on the Maritime Silk Road.


harmonious and friendly cultural environment

and public opinion.

V. Cooperation Mechanisms

The world economic integration is

accelerating and regional cooperation is on the

upswing. China will take full advantage of the

existing bilateral and multilateral cooperation

mechanisms to push forward the building of the

Belt and Road and to promote the development

of regional cooperation.

We should strengthen bilateral cooperation,

and promote comprehensive development of

bilateral relations through multi-level and

m u l t i - c h a n n e l c o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d

consultation. We should encourage the signing

of cooperation MOUs or plans, and develop a

number of bilateral cooperation pilot projects.

We should establish and improve bilateral joint

w o r k i n g m e c h a n i s m s , a n d d ra w u p

implementation plans and roadmaps for

advancing the Belt and Road Initiative. In

addition, we should give full play to the existing

bilateral mechanisms such as joint committee,

mixed committee, coordinating committee,

steering committee and management

committee to coordinate and promote the

implementation of cooperation projects.

We should enhance the role of multilateral

cooperation mechanisms, make full use of

existing mechanisms such as the Shanghai

Cooperation Organization (SCO), ASEAN Plus

China (10+1) , Asia-Paci f ic Economic

Cooperation (APEC), Asia-Europe Meeting

(ASEM), Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD),

Conference on Interaction and Confidence-

Building Measures in Asia (CICA), China-Arab

States Cooperation Forum (CASCF), China-Gulf

Cooperation Council Strategic Dialogue,

Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Economic

Cooperation, and Central Asia Regional

Economic Cooperation (CAREC) to strengthen

communication with relevant countries, and

attract more countries and regions to

participate in the Belt and Road Initiative.

We should continue to encourage the

constructive role of the international forums

and exhibitions at regional and sub-regional

levels hosted by countries along the Belt and

Road, as well as such platforms as Boao Forum

for Asia, China-ASEAN Expo, China-Eurasia

Expo, Euro-Asia Economic Forum, China

International Fair for Investment and Trade,

China-South Asia Expo, China-Arab States Expo,

Western China International Fair, China-Russia

Expo, and Qianhai Cooperation Forum. We

should support the local authorities and general

public of countries along the Belt and Road to

explore the historical and cultural heritage of

the Belt and Road, jointly hold investment, trade

and cultural exchange activities, and ensure the

success of the Silk Road (Dunhuang)

International Culture Expo, Silk Road

International Film Festival and Silk Road

International Book Fair. We propose to set up an

international summit forum on the Belt and

Road Initiative.

VI. China’s Regions in Pursuing Opening-Up

In advancing the Belt and Road Initiative,

China will fully leverage the comparative

advantages of its various regions, adopt a

proactive strategy of further opening-up,

strengthen interaction and cooperation among

the eastern, western and central regions, and

comprehensively improve the openness of the

Chinese economy.

Northwestern and northeastern regions. We

should make good use of Xinjiang’s geographic

advantages and its role as a window of

w e s t w a r d o p e n i n g - u p t o d e e p e n

communication and cooperation with Central,

South and West Asian countries, make it a key

transportation, trade, logistics, culture, science

and education center, and a core area on the Silk

Road Economic Belt. We should give full scope to

the economic and cultural strengths of Shaanxi

and Gansu provinces and the ethnic and cultural

advantages of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous

Region and Qinghai Province, build Xi’an into a


new focus of reform and opening-up in China’s

interior, speed up the development and

opening-up of cities such as Lanzhou and

Xining, and advance the building of the Ningxia

Inland Opening-up Pilot Economic Zone with

the goal of creating strategic channels, trade

and logistics hubs and key bases for industrial

and cultural exchanges opening to Central,

South and West Asian countries. We should give

full play to Inner Mongolia’s proximity to

Mongolia and Russia, improve the railway links

connecting Heilongjiang Province with Russia

and the regional railway network, strengthen

cooperation between China’s Heilongjiang, Jilin

and Liaoning provinces and Russia’s Far East

region on sea-land multi-modal transport, and

advance the construction of an Eurasian high-

speed transport corridor linking Beijing and

Moscow with the goal of building key windows

opening to the north.

Southwestern region. We should give full

play to the unique advantage of Guangxi Zhuang

Autonomous Region as a neighbor of ASEAN

countries, speed up the opening-up and

development of the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone

and the Pearl River-Xijiang Economic Zone,

build an international corridor opening to the

ASEAN region, create new strategic anchors for

the opening-up and development of the

southwest and mid-south regions of China, and

form an important gateway connecting the Silk

Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century

Maritime Silk Road. We should make good use of

the geographic advantage of Yunnan Province,

advance the construction of an international

transport corridor connecting China with

neighboring countries, develop a new highlight

of economic cooperation in the Greater Mekong

Sub-region, and make the region a pivot of

China’s opening-up to South and Southeast Asia.

We should promote the border trade and

tourism and culture cooperation between Tibet

Autonomous Region and neighboring countries

such as Nepal.

The Silk Road Heritage Boutique Exhibition opened in East China’s Tianjin City on April 10, 2015.


Coastal regions, and Hong Kong, Macao and

Taiwan. We should leverage the strengths of the

Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, west

coast of the Taiwan Straits, Bohai Rim, and other

areas with economic zones boasting a high level

of openness, robust economic strengths and

strong catalytic role, speed up the development

of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone,

and support Fujian Province in becoming a core

area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We

should give full scope to the role of Qianhai

(Shenzhen), Nansha (Guangzhou), Hengqin

(Zhuhai) and Pingtan (Fujian) in opening-up

and cooperation, deepen their cooperation with

Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and help to

build the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Big

Bay Area. We should promote the development

of the Zhejiang Marine Economy Development

Demonstration Zone, Fujian Marine Economic

Pilot Zone and Zhoushan Archipelago New

Area, and further open Hainan Province as an

international tourism island. We should

strengthen the port construction of coastal

cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, Ningbo-

Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhanjiang,

Shantou, Qingdao, Yantai, Dalian, Fuzhou,

Xiamen, Quanzhou, Haikou and Sanya, and

strengthen the functions of international hub

airports such as Shanghai and Guangzhou. We

should use opening-up to motivate these areas

to carry out deeper reform, create new systems

and mechanisms of open economy, step up

scientific and technological innovation, develop

new advantages for participating in and leading

international cooperation and competition, and

become the pace-setter and main force in the

Belt and Road Initiative, particularly the

building of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk

Road. We should leverage the unique role of

overseas Chinese and the Hong Kong and Macao

Special Administrative Regions, and encourage

them to participate in and contribute to the Belt

and Road Initiative. We should also make

proper arrangements for the Taiwan region to

be part of this effort.

Inland regions. We should make use of the

advantages of inland regions, including a vast

landmass, rich human resources and a strong

industrial foundation, focus on such key regions

as the city clusters along the middle reaches of

the Yangtze River, around Chengdu and

Chongqing, in central Henan Province, around

Hohhot, Baotou, Erdos and Yulin, and around

Harbin and Changchun to propel regional

interaction and cooperation and industrial

concentration. We should build Chongqing into

an important pivot for developing and opening

up the western region, and make Chengdu,

Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Nanchang and

Hefei leading areas of opening-up in the inland

regions. We should accelerate cooperation

between regions on the upper and middle

reaches of the Yangtze River and their

counterparts along Russia’s Volga River. We

should set up coordination mechanisms in

terms of railway transport and port customs

clearance for the China-Europe corridor,

cultivate the brand of “China-Europe freight

trains,” and construct a cross-border transport

corridor connecting the eastern, central and

western regions. We should support inland

cities such as Zhengzhou and Xi’an in building

airports and international land ports,

strengthen customs clearance cooperation

between inland ports and ports in the coastal

and border regions, and launch pilot e-

commerce services for cross-border trade. We

should optimize the layout of special customs

oversight areas, develop new models of

processing trade, and deepen industrial

cooperation with countries along the Belt and

Road.

VII. China in Action

For more than a year, the Chinese

government has been actively promoting the

building of the Belt and Road, enhancing

communication and consultation and

advancing practical cooperation with countries

along the Belt and Road, and introduced a series


of policies and measures for early outcomes.

High-level guidance and facilitation.

President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang

have visited over 20 countries, attended the

Dialogue on Strengthening Connectivity

Partnership and the sixth ministerial

conference of the China-Arab States

Cooperation Forum, and met with leaders of

relevant countries to discuss bilateral relations

and regional development issues. They have

used these opportunities to explain the rich

contents and positive implications of the Belt

and Road Initiative, and their efforts have

helped bring about a broad consensus on the

Belt and Road Initiative.

Signing cooperation framework. China has

signed MOUs of cooperation on the joint

development of the Belt and Road with some

countries, and on regional cooperation and

border cooperation and mid- and long-term

development plans for economic and trade

cooperation with some neighboring countries.

It has proposed outlines of regional cooperation

plans with some adjacent countries.

Promoting project cooperation. China has

enhanced communication and consultation

with countries along the Belt and Road, and

promoted a number of key cooperation projects

in the fields of infrastructure connectivity,

industrial investment, resource development,

economic and trade cooperation, financial

cooperation, cultural exchanges, ecological

protection and maritime cooperation where the

conditions are right.

Improving policies and measures. The

Chinese government will integrate its domestic

resources to provide stronger policy support

for the Initiative. It will facilitate the

establishment of the Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank. China has proposed the Silk

Road Fund, and the investment function of the

China-Eurasia Economic Cooperation Fund will

be reinforced. We will encourage bank card

clearing institutions to conduct cross-border

clearing operations, and payment institutions

to conduct cross-border payment business. We

will actively promote investment and trade

facilitation, and accelerate the reform of

integrated regional customs clearance.

Boosting the role of cooperation platforms.

A number of international summits, forums,

seminars and expos on the theme of the Belt and

Road Initiative have been held, which have

played an important role in increasing mutual

understanding, reaching consensus and

deepening cooperation.

VIII. Embracing a Brighter Future Together

Though proposed by China, the Belt and Road

Initiative is a common aspiration of all countries

along their routes. China is ready to conduct

equal-footed consultation with all countries along

the Belt and Road to seize the opportunity

provided by the Initiative, promote opening-up,

communication and integration among countries

in a larger scope, with higher standards and at

deeper levels, while giving consideration to the

interests and aspirations of all parties. The

development of the Belt and Road is open and

inclusive, and we welcome the active

participation of all countries and international

and regional organizations in this Initiative.

The development of the Belt and Road

should mainly be conducted through policy

communication and objectives coordination. It

is a pluralistic and open process of cooperation

which can be highly flexible, and does not seek

conformity. China will join other countries along

the Belt and Road to substantiate and improve

the content and mode of the Belt and Road

cooperation, work out relevant timetables and

roadmaps, and align national development

programs and regional cooperation plans.

China will work with countries along the

Belt and Road to carry out joint research, forums

and fairs, personnel training, exchanges and

visits under the framework of existing bilateral,

multilateral, regional and sub-regional

cooperation mechanisms, so that they will gain a

better understanding and recognition of the

Economic AffairsNews From China April 2015

contents, objectives and tasks of the Belt and

Road Initiative.

China will work with countries along the

B e l t a n d Ro a d t o s t e a d i ly a dva n c e

demonstration projects, jointly identify

programs that accommodate bilateral and

multilateral interests, and accelerate the

launching of programs that are agreed upon by

parties and ready for implementation, so as to

ensure early harvest.

The Belt and Road cooperation features

mutual respect and trust, mutual benefit and

win-win cooperation, and mutual learning

between civilizations. As long as all countries

along the Belt and Road make concerted efforts

to pursue our common goal, there will be bright

prospects for the Silk Road Economic Belt and

the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, and the

people of countries along the Belt and Road can

all benefit from this Initiative.

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Building the Beautiful Homeland Together with Indian People

KSK Mahanadi Power Company Ltd.

(KMPCL) project 6×600MW sub-critical coal

power plant, as a BOO model, is prepared by

Indian KSK power Investment Group

Corporation through public financing. KMPCL

project is located in Nariyara Village in Janjgir-

Champa district of Chhattisgarh, India. This

power plant is based on sub-critical boiler and

turbine and its designed

l i fe service will be

minimum 30 years.

KMPCL project is

featured by building

6 × 6 0 0 M W s i m u l -

taneously. Therefore, so

far it is the biggest EPC

project which has been

built by SEPCO1 at home

and abroad. It ranges

from design, purchasing

of equipment & material

for all main & auxiliary

construction to hand-

over of units as well as all

the site activities like

c i v i l c o n s t r u c t i o n ,

equipment erection, commissioning, trial run, thoperation, guarantee work. Started on 26 Feb

2009, the first Unit (Unit 3) was successfully

handed over to the owner for commercial thoperation on 11 Nov 2013. The second Unit

(Unit 4) finished 72 hours running with full load

to satisfy Indian government requirements on th26 August 2014 and is ready for RRT.

Interaction with students of the local school.

69

Economic Affairs70 News From China April 2015

W h i l e m a k i n g

arduous efforts in plant

construction and thus

making a contribution to

development of Indian

society economy, KMPCL

project takes a series of

measures to harmonize

w i t h l o c a l s o c i e t y.

KMPCL employs a large

quantity of Indian staff to

s h o u l d e r t h e r e s -

ponsibility of promoting

local employment. This

project is dedicated to

charity and making a

contribution to Indian

people’s well-being; this

project takes every

opportunity to promote cultural exchange

between China and India.

KMPCL project advocates localization

management by employing a large number of

Indian staff in every department. There are

more than 380 Indian employees during the

peak period of construction, accounting for

more than 50% of total project employees. To

make Indian staff adapt to the project working

environment, appreciate and enjoy company’s

culture, KMPCL project establishes the

exclusive canteen in living quarter for Indians

and builds a coffee room in office area to

provide biscuits and drinks during the morning

or afternoon break; To improve Indian staff’s

skills and capability, KMPCL project, based on

their characterization and property, organizes

all departments to develop all kinds of

professional training courses. By doing this, it

shares responsibility for local employment.

To the best of his ability, our project is thdevoted to charities. On 17 June 2013, KMPCL

project donated 300 thousand Indian Rupees

worth of 44 sets of sports goods to 22 local

schools. Moreover, against the international

background at that moment, KMPCL project

respectively organized all Chinese and Indian

staff to make donation for the earth-stricken

area in Ya An, a city in Sichuan Province of China

and the flood disaster area in Uttarakhand, a

state in north of India. We extend our helping

hands to the world and refine our soul & heart

through these activities. Additionally, all

Chinese and Indian staff of KMPCL project

voluntarily made donation for the project

drivers (Mr. Deepak and Mr. Laxmi) who

suffered from traffic accident or heart disease,

which helped the grassroots labors to ease

actual financial burden.

When major traditional Chinese and Indian

festivals like Chinese mid-autumn festival,

Chinese New Year, Indian Shri Krishna

Janmashtami Festival and DIWALI approach,

KMPCL project always tries to create

opportunities for both Chinese and Indian staff

to celebrate such festivals together, establishing

a harmonious & happy relationship with

Indians and making the Chinese and Indian

people appreciate the cultural essence of their

own country.

As an oversea project£¬KMPCL project has

always been taking spread of Chinese Culture in

India as one of his responsibilities. This project

introduces Chinese culture to Indian staff and

organizes Indian staff to watch video of

Participating in sports and entertainment events.

Economic AffairsNews From China April 2015

B e a u t i f u l C h i n a . T h r o u g h t h e s e

activit ies£¬Indian staff has a better

understanding of Chinese culture.

On the request of owner’s children school

(Brilliant Public School), KMPCL project sent

his “Chinese culture exchange communication

team” to this school to introduce traditional

Chinese culture on Dec 19 2014. The group

carefully prepared all kinds of reference

documents and made wonderful PPT to

introduce the Chinese culture covering Chinese

food, traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese

dance, Chinese fly kite and etc. During these

activities, the team members patiently

answered the questions raised by school

teachers & students who took a keen interest in

the Chinese culture. Finally the team members

visited school’s botanical garden which was

taken care of by students on their warm

invitat ion. This cultural exchange &

introduction activity forms one of the public

service activities during “the Chinese and

Indian Friendly Exchange & Communication

Year in 2014”.

As a Chinese company in India, KMPCL

project has been always making endeavors to

promote social welfare, people’s well-being and

employment. More importantly, this project

will make continued efforts to build the

beautiful homeland together with Indian

people.

China Eyes Innovation in Face of Economic "New Normal”

Beijing, March 23 (Xinhua) — A document, co-published by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, China’s cabinet, on Monday underscored the role of innovation-driven development amid the economic “new normal” of slower growth.

A government work report, delivered by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on March 5, highlighted the “twin engines” that would drive d e v e l o p m e n t , n a m e l y p o p u l a r entrepreneurship and mass innovation paired with increased supplies of public goods and

services.The growth target for 2015 was set at

“approximately 7 percent,” down from 7.5 percent in 2014, when the economy grew 7.4 percent, the lowest pace since 1990.

M o n d ay ’ s d o c u m e n t s a i d t h a t a l l psychological and institutional obstacles must be broken to accelerate innovation-driven development to ensure mass innovation is brought into full play.

An institutional and legal framework, conducive to innovation-driven development,

News about the Chinese company published in the local

newspaper.

71

Economic Affairs72 News From China April 2015

should be established by 2 0 2 0 , t h e d o c u m e n t continued.

S u c h a f ra m e wo r k would allow free movement o f t a l e n t , c a p i t a l , technology and knowledge, t h u s , e n c o u r a g i n g coordinated innovation and enhancing efficiency.

I n p a r t i c u l a r, t h e document promised to step up intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and t o f u r t h e r o p e n u p i n d u s t r i e s t o m a r ke t competition.

A n t i - m o n o p o l y enforcement will also be enhanced to allow small- and medium-sized enterprises to bloom, it read, weeks after Chinese authorities imposed a record fine of 6.09 billion yuan (994 million U.S. dollars) on mobile chip maker Qualcomm following an anti-trust probe.

Meanwhile, enterprises should play a leading role in technological innovation and application, the document read.

National innovation programs should consult enterprises more, although “strategic needs” must also be taken into account, it said,

adding that innovative enterprises could enjoy favorable tax policies and privileges.

The document also pledged to facilitate the progression of inventions by research institutes and universities to commercial realization.

Rather than profits being channeled to the central treasury, research establishments could retain all income to award scientists and fund future research projects.

Meanwhile, researchers should be awarded no less than 50 percent of the transfer or license income, or with company stocks and dividends to provide further innovation incentives.

ENHANCED S&T INNOVATION

The document called for further relaxation on foreigners with technological talent a p p ly i n g fo r p e r m a n e n t residence permits and research into a new system for them to get Chinese citizenship.

It was noted that the age l imit could be l i fted for foreigners who have high-level science and technology (S&T) innovation capacities, and high-c a l i b e r f o r e i g n e r s w i t h permanent residence permits

China's Tianhe-2 has become the world's fastest supercomputer.

Culture & LifeNews From China April 2015

could enjoy the same treatment as Chinese nationals when founding S&T enterprises.

Meanwhile, human resources service providers in China were encouraged to partner with foreign counterparts and even establish branches overseas.

“Research institutes are encouraged to arrange programs independently, and the academic autonomy of higher education and research institutes as well as the rights to choose research directions individually will be expanded,” it said.

The document noted that both basic and advanced technological research will be subjected to peer evaluations, and key factors will include “research quality, originality and practical values.”

Trumpeting “a culture that encourages innovation and tolerates failure,” the document urged universities to involve enterprises in jointly enrolling students and honing their skills while widening international cooperation and learning from leading overseas counterparts.

“Regulations will be drafted on the opening-up of state-level science and technology projects to encourage foreign research institutes to take part in national science and technology projects,” it said.

While urging Chinese institutes to actively participate in major international S&T projects, the document vowed that projects concerning basic and global topics would be initiated to pool the wisdom of leading scientists across the world.

A Literary Comeback

by Ji Jing

A cursory glance at

D a n g d a n g . c o m ’ s

recently published list of

the top 10 bestselling

children’s books in

China in 2014 reveals

one salient and perhaps

sobering fact: Of the 10

t i t l e s o n t h e l i s t

compiled by China’s

premium bookselling

website, only two were

originally written in

Chinese.

The Magic School

B u s b y A m e r i c a n

authors Joanna Cole and

Bruce Degen and The Adventures of Tintin by

Belgian cartoonist Hergé (real name Georges

Remi, 1907-83) came in at first and second

places respectively. The two original Chinese-

language entries were authored by Taiwan-

based scholar Wei-Ping Chen and Chinese

CULTURE & LIFE

73

Culture & Life74 News From China April 2015

American writer Liu Yong.

So why the dearth of authors from the

Chinese mainland on the list? What is it about

the work of domestic children’s writers that has

so failed to capture the imagination of the

country’s youth? It has been argued by some

that the underrepresentation of Chinese-

language originals on the list can be attributed

to the contention that foreign children’s books

are possessed of a richer imagination and are

generally regarded as more interesting and

appealing than their Chinese counterparts.

“Many Western publishing houses engaged

in the publishing of children’s titles have

histories stretching back more than 100 years,

which has enabled them to accumulate a wealth

of experience in the area,” said Yu Xiaoqun,

President of Dolphin Books, a Beijing-based

publ ishing house

s p e c i a l i z i n g i n

children’s books.

“ I n C h i n a ,

conversely, it’s hard to

f i n d a c h i l d re n’ s

p u b l i s h e r o f a n

equivalent vintage as

the development of

many such companies

has been interrupted

by wars and political

movements,” Yu said.

C h i n a ’ s m o d e r n

history is fraught with

turbulence, ranging

from wars against invading powers from 1840

onward to political turmoil in the 1960s and

1970s, instability that has undoubtedly taken a

toll on its publishing industry.

Although foreign children’s books are

popular in China, Yu said the country boasts its

own excellent children’s authors.

Yu is particularly interested in children’s

books written during the period of the Republic

of China (1912-49), which he regards as being

of an exceptionally high quality. Ever since

joining Dolphin Books as president in 2009, Yu

has been devoted to ensuring these books can

enjoy a renaissance in their country of origin.

“I was struck by the sheer quality of the

textbooks compiled back then,” said Yu.

What Children Want

After studying several books on the history

of Chinese children’s literature, Yu found that

this sector of the publishing industry

experienced a boom in the almost 40 years

following 1912. A large number of reputedly

excellent works were published by the

Commercial Press, the Zhonghua Book Co., and

several other publishing houses no longer in

existence. All these presses were based in

Shanghai, which in those days acted as China’s

cultural hub.

Yu started by looking for the version of the

Children’s Library

book series published

by the Commercial

P r e s s i n 1 9 3 4 ,

r e g a r d e d a s t h e

earliest picture books

for children in China.

T h i s c o l l e c t i o n

originally contained

200 titles; however,

locating all of them

proved in no way to be

child’s play.

Yu’s team first

discovered several

titles in this collection

at online secondhand bookstores and

purchased them. However, the pages of some of

these books turned out to be damaged or torn.

“In the past, it was not permitted to stock

children’s books in public libraries, which was

one of the reasons why many of these books

were lost or failed to survive intact to the

present day,” said Yu.

Finally, with the help of the Shanghai Library

and the Commercial Press Ltd. in Taiwan—one

of the successors to the Shanghai-based

publishing house—that republished the


collection in the 1960s,

Yu was able to secure

184 of the original

collection’s 200 works

and to publish them in

four volumes.

T h e C h i l d r e n ’ s

Library series uses

pictures and simple

language to tell stories

or convey knowledge

a b o u t n a t u r e a n d

society. For example, it

includes one chapter

which discusses the

issue of how to be a good

student.

O n c e t h e f i r s t

volume, consisting of 10 books, was put on sale

on the e-commerce platform JD.com in 2011,

the initial run of 10,000 copies were sold out

within less than a month. Another 10,000

copies were printed afterward.

“The commercial success bolstered our

confidence. We continued to search for

children’s books of that period and have since

found more and more good stuff,” said Yu.

After the Children’s Library series, Yu went

on to republish the Primary School Students’

Library line, which was also originally

published by the Commercial Press in 1934.

This collection originally comprised a total of

500 titles in 45 subject areas encompassing

social science, politics, economics, fairy tales,

mythology, poetry and drama. Yu selected 394

works from 42 areas and compressed them into

164 books.

“I read the collection in my primary school

library in the 1930s. I was enamored with the

fairy tales, while the books titled Water, Light,

and Sound instructed me about basic scientific

knowledge. These books have benefited me a

lot,” said Jiang Feng, an 89-year-old former

professor with Zhejiang Normal University and

editor of the newly published Primary School

Students’ Library series.

“Many books written during the period has

been republished since the founding of the

People’s Republic of China in 1949. However,

until relatively recently, books tailored to

children from the same period have received

inadequate attention,” said Yu.

Children’s books during that period taught

kids how to get along with people using

principles espoused by Confucianism and how

to attain a balanced relationship between

humankind and nature.

“Many parents today want their children to

read these books in order to learn how to be a

good person,” said Yu.

“Books written for children during the

Republic of China period taught kids morals and

ethics and helped them establish a positive

value system,” said Pu Huaqing, a writer of

children’s literature. “From this perspective,

these books will never be out of date.”

Yu pointed out that those who wrote

children’s books during that period were

predominantly renowned writers or scholars, a

situation which would be unimaginable today.

He cited the example of Feng Zikai (1898-1975),

a renowned cartoonist, essayist and translator

who drew illustrations for many picture books

and textbooks of that period.

75


“Feng applied the way children think to his

paintings and writings. No matter whether he

was painting or writing essays, he would ask

himself whether he was thinking like a child,” Yu

told Beijing Review.

Works of Value

Yu believes it is vitally important to ensure

children’s books carry the right messages, as his

intended audience is as yet too immature to tell

right from wrong. A nihilistic view of life and the

questionable conceptions inherent in some

works may exert a negative influence upon

children, one which could potentially last for

the remainder of their lives.

In addition to republishing old books,

Dolphin Books has embraced contemporary

works such as Taiwan-based illustrator and

writer Jimmy Liao’s picture books.

“Liao’s picture book My Little Perfect World

tells children that it’s impossible for one to be

perfect and normal for a kid to be imperfect. It

teaches kids how to face difficulties and defeat

in life and be optimistic,” said Yu.

Now the author’s picture book series has

become one of the imprint’s flagship lines.

“The key to boosting the development of

children’s books in China is to cultivate reliable

brand identities with regard to both publishing

lines and publishing houses and to spread a

positive message,” said Yu.

Profile

Yu Xiaoqun was born in Dandong o f n o r t h e a s t China’s Liaoning P r o v i n c e i n September 1956. After graduating f r o m J i l i n University with a master’s degree in 1982, he joined Liaoning Education Press and later acted as its president and editor in chief. He became president of Dolphin Books in 2009. In his three-decade-long publishing career, Yu has been responsible for the publication of several book series comprising works by both Chinese and foreign authors of a high intellectual and academic caliber. He has also written over a dozen books himself, most of which have taken the form of essay collections that relate his personal experience and understanding of life and literature.

Popular Chinese TV Dramas Overseas

China is a country that produces some

30,000 episodes of TV drama every year –

undoubtedly the largest number in the world. In

recent years, an increasing number of Chinese

TV dramas has been exported overseas and

gained substantial popularity among foreign

audiences.

Although a number of them were broadcast

in China dozens of years ago, they remain firm

fan favorites until this day. After all, watching a

good old-fashioned TV drama might even

revoke the fondest of memories.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1994)“The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” is a

Chinese television series based on the classical

novel of the same title. First aired in 1994, the

drama spanned a total of 84 episodes. As one of

the most expensive television series produced

at that time, it was completed over the course of

four years, involved 400,000 in cast and crew

and allegedly cost a pretty penny. The end result


was one of great quality and gained a big

number of fans in foreign countries, especially

Japan. The drama was later rebroadcast on

Japan’s NHK repeatedly, and again on SUN in

2009 as well.

Journey to the West (1986)

“The Journey to the West” is a Chinese

television series based on the classic novel of the

same title, one of the Four Great Classical Novels

of Chinese literature. First broadcast in 1986,

the drama tells of the legend of the Tang Dynasty

Buddhist monk Xuanzang, who traveled to the

place later known as India to obtain sacred texts.

Protected by his three disciples, he faced many

trials and tribulations on his way there and back.New Legend of Madame White Snake

(1992)

“The New Legend of Madame White Snake”

is a musical TV series telling the fairytale love

story between a good-hearted man and a snake

demon who in fact transformed into a pretty girl

after thousands of years of training. It was first

broadcast in 1992 and achieved outstanding

audience ratings. It was later exported to Japan,

Vietnam and several other Asian countries,

creating rating “miracles.” The drama involves

traditional Chinese culture and folk customs

such as traditional Chinese music, Traditional

Chinese Medicine, religion and poetry, proving

the country’s rich and long-lasting artistic

vitality.

77


Once the series was broadcast, it received

much approval from both Chinese and foreign

audiences. It was on show in summer vacation

in Vietnam and became a perfect way to keep

the children at home.

The Legend of Zhen Huan (2011)“The Legend of Zhen Huan,” also known as

“Hou Gong Zhen Huan Zhuan,” is a Chinese

television series based on an Internet novel of

the same name. It first aired in China in 2011,

and features a total of 76 episodes. The drama

tells the story of Zhen Huan, who was chosen to

be Emperor Yongzheng’s concubine in ancient

China’s Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). She learned

how to survive in a palace full of cunning plots

and deceit, and in the end managed to defeat her

enemies.

The drama was broadcast on South Korea’s

CHINGTV and BS Japan. It is expected to be re-

edited into six TV movies and broadcast on

American mainstream TV channels under the

title “Empresses in the Palace.”

The Museum City in Northwest China – Xi'an

Xi’an has been a bright pearl along the Silk

Road for 2000 years. Emperors of thirteen

dynasties chose here as their political, cultural

and economic center. Nowadays, travelers are

welcomed by eleven tall earthen mounds, built

around the 1st century—the tomb of emperors

in Western Han dynasty. This is a place of

history.

From 841.B.C on, the

ruler of the Western

Zhou began to keep

annals . Henceforth,

China had historical

records of each year.

Thus the year of 841 B.C

marked the beginning of

c o n s c i o u s a n d

s y s t e m a t i c r e c o r d

keeping. The Western

Zhou Dynasty set up

their capital here in

1066.B.C, followed by

the Qin, Han, Tang and


another 9 dynasties who

a l l m a d e h e re t h e

location for their royal

palace.

As dynasty after

dynasty added their

own mark to Xi’an, the

relics of old palaces,

temples and tombs

abounded throughout

the city and surround-

ing countryside.

All the territory

under the heaven belonged to the emperor

himself. So, he had the power to build a

grandiose mausoleum with the expense of the

treasury reserves. The first Qin emperor of the

Qin Dynasty started to build his resting place

when he was only 13. The Terra Cotta Warriors

are just a part of tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang.

The emperors in Han dynasty were more

practical, preferring the small figurines to the

full sized ones to be buried with them. The

valiant and mighty soldiers were replaced with

the graceful, peaceful and kind smaller ones.

The influence of those emperors is

everywhere, though no emperors lived here

after the Tang dynasty. The strategic position

and its potential threat of the so-called imperial

descendants forced the Ming emperors to build

the Bell Tower, Drum Tower and City Wall to

suppress those dragon spirits.

Ancient City Wall

The Ancient City Wall of Xi’an was

constructed in the 14th century of Ming Dynasty

under Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. The

construction was triggered by a hermit named

Zhu Sheng who advised the Emperor to build

high walls to protect the city from invaders and

to store food supplies for future use. Seeing this

as an opportunity to make his monarchy live

longer, the emperor ruled the construction of

the ancient wall. He began to enlarge the wall

built initially during the Tang Dynasty.

The city wall was originally built of rammed

earth, lime and glutinous rice extract. Years

passed, bricks were added to create a stronger

wall and moats were in

placed surrounding the

gate to give protection

from the outside forces.

The Ancient City Wall

stretched round the old

city at 12 meters in

height, 14 meters wide

at the top, 18 meters

thick at the base with a

circumference of 13.79

kilometers. There were

four city gates in each

direction. Each gate

consisted of a main

79


tower, a watchtower, a lock

tower, and a compound.

During the Ming Dynasty,

the city of Xi’an was best

described as a fortress city

with a good military defense

system. The structure would

m a k e i t i m p o s s i b l e

somehow for outside forces

to penetrate the city without

passing thru the main gate.

Today, the Ancient City Wall

has become a landmark for

foreign travelers who visit

the City of Xi’an.

Bell Tower

The Bell Tower is one of

the oldest well-preserved towers standing in

the center of the city of Xi’an. It initially had a

huge bronze Jingyun Bell hanging at the corner

of the tower. It was built in 1384 by Zhu

Yuanzhang of Ming Dynasty with the height of

36 meters and covering an area of 1,377 square

meters. Originally, it was constructed near the

Drum Tower as both had similar function. It was

originally built to inform people that a new day

has come and daytime is about to start by

ringing the bell at dawn. As the years

progressed, the city also grew and the central

axis has changed. In 1582, the Bell Tower was

moved to its new location, the new center of the

city which was 1,000 meters east. The

relocation was a massive effort of the people

and was done quickly and inexpensively. It was

a remarkable achievement in the architectural

history in China.

The tower parts were all original materials

except for the base. Constructed was a two story

wooden tower with three layers of dark green

glaze tiled eaves and stood on a square shaped

brick platform. At the corner, a small 5 ton bell

was hung in replacement of the original Jingyun

Bell. The latter can be seen in the Forest of Stone

Steles Museum. The engravings on the doors

and windows perfectly showed the fashionable

designs of the Ming Dynasty touching the stories

and anecdotes of ancient China. Ancient musical

instruments were being displayed on the first

floor. A spiral staircase would lead you up to the

second floor where records of relocation were

pinned on the west side of the wall. Exhibited

also were porcelain and Chinese calligraphy and

arts.

Drum Tower

The Drum Tower was constructed in the

year 1380, four years ahead of the Bell Tower in

the early era of Ming Dynasty. It was renovated

twice in 1699 and 1740. The tower is a two-

storied rectangular structure with triple-eave

glazed bricks and covering an area of 1,924

square meters. Contrary to the Bell Tower, its


early function was to strike the drum at dusk to

announce the end of the day. During the ancient

China, both Bell and Drum Towers portrayed a

significant role in the Chinese people’s daily

lives as time devices. At present, the second

floor of the Drum Tower is used as an antique

shop and sometimes holds an art exhibition.

Terracotta Warriors

On March 29, 1974, a group of farmers were

digging the ground for water well and

discovered fragments of terracotta or baked

earth figures. This prompted the Chinese

archaeologists to investigate and unlocked the

mystery of the largest pottery figurine of the

emperor’s warriors, chariots and horses buried

east of Xi’an in Shaanxi province. The figures of

infantry soldiers were life-sized and vary in

hairstyle, uniform and height with the tallest

being the high ranking officials. There were

three pits containing the terracotta figures and

it was estimated that there were over 7,000

soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150

cavalry horses near Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s

mausoleum. Up till now, the archeologists are

still digging for more discoveries.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the first

emperor of the Qin Dynasty. During his time, the

dominant religious beliefs in China were on the

“shen” and “yin” translated as “spirits” and

“shadows”. Death for them was just simply

moving from one world to another. To solidify

his kingdom and to protect him in his afterlife,

terracotta figures of soldiers, chariots and

horses were buried near the emperor’s

necropolis at Mount Li.

The Terracotta Warriors is one of the biggest

historical sites in Xi’an that draw millions of

tourist all over the world. UNESCO listed it as the

World Heritage Site on December 1987.

81


A Glance in the Season of Flowers

Photo taken on April 4, 2015 shows blooming tulips at Renmin Park in Zhengzhou, capital city of north China's Henan Province. April

is the best season of flowers in China. (Xinhua/Zhu Xiang)

Keep memories of flowers by taking "selfies". Taking photo of blooming tulips.


Performers reenact an ancient scene of watching peonies.

A little girl looks at blooming tulips.

Taking photos of flowers by cell phone.

People enjoying cherry blossoms in a park.

People among the flowers in Southwest China's Chongqing.

83

Tibet Today84 News From China April 2015

Beijing April 15 (Xinhua) — The Chinese

government on Wednesday issued a white

paper on southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous

Region, applauding its development path and

denouncing the “middle way” advocated by the

Dalai Lama.

The white paper, under the title “Tibet’s

Path of Development Is Driven by an Irresistible

Historical Tide”, holds that Tibet’s current

development path is correct.

Tibet’s continual progress on its present

path of development is an objective

requirement of modern civilization. It accords

with the progressive trend of human society, the

prevailing conditions and the current reality in

China, and the fundamental interests of all

ethnic groups in Tibet, says the white paper,

released by the Information Office of the State

Council.

However, the report points out that there is

a party who cluster around the 14th Dalai Lama,

representatives of the remnants of the feudal

serf owners who have long lived in exile, driven

by a political goal of “Tibetan independence”

and a sentimental attachment to the old

theocratic feudal serfdom.

Having failed to instigate violence in

support of their cause, they turned to the

“middle way”, which negates Tibet’s sound

development path and attempts to create a

“state within a state” on Chinese territory as an

interim step towards the ultimate goal of full

independence.

“The only sensible alternative is for the Dalai

Lama and his supporters to accept that Tibet has

been part of China since antiquity, to abandon

their goals of dividing China and seeking

independence for Tibet, and to begin to act in

the interests of Tibet and the country at large,” it

says.

The central government has followed a clear

and consistent policy towards the 14th Dalai

Lama, the report stresses.

“Only when he makes a public statement

acknowledging that Tibet has been an integral

part of China since antiquity, and abandons his

stance on independence and his attempts to

divide China, can he improve his relationship

with the central government in any real sense,” it

says.

The central government hopes that the Dalai

Lama will put aside his illusions in his remaining

years and face up to reality, adapt his position,

choose the objective and rational path, and do

something of benefit to overseas Tibetan

compatriots in exile, it says.

TIBET TODAY

China Issues White Paper on Tibet

Long-term Prosperity, Stability Stressed for China's Tibetan Regions

(2015-03-28, From Xinhua) Top Chinese

political advisor Yu Zhengsheng has called for

efforts to coordinate development and

improvement of people’s livelihood, promote

religious and ethnic harmony to maintain long-

term prosperity and stability in Tibetan regions.

Tibet TodayNews From China April 2015

Yu made the remarks

during an inspection in the

T i b e t a n - Q i a n g

Autonomous Prefecture of

Aba in southwest China’s

Sichuan Province between

Wednesday and Friday.

“The ultimate goal for

a c c e l e r a t i n g t h e

development of Tibetan

regions is to improve

people’s livelihoods, and

i m p r o v i n g p e o p l e ’ s

livelihoods should be a key

criterion for evaluating the

quality of development,”

Yu said, urging more funds

and projects that favor the

grassroots, rural and pastoral regions.

During the inspection, Yu visited schools,

hospitals, monasteries and held symposiums

with local officials.

Stressing education in both Mandarin

Chinese and local ethnic languages, Yu noted

that the teaching of science and engineering

should be strengthened to boost the ability of

students of ethnic minorities.

“Great efforts should be made to develop

local medical services and cultivate high-level

health workers in the Tibetan regions,” Yu said.

Yu stressed that local

religious work should be

conducted in line with the

principle of rule of law, and

religious figures should

actively guide Tibetan

Buddhism to adapt to a

socialist society, while

resolutely resisting the

influence from foreign forces.

While meeting with

local officials, Yu praised

s o c i a l a n d e c o n o m i c

achievements of Aba and

urged the region to map out

an employment-oriented

development plan that

combined infrastructure

a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l

protection.

Yu Zhengsheng (C), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visits religious figures at a monastery in Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 25, 2015. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Yu Zhengsheng (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visits a kindergarten in Waqie Township, Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 25, 2015. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

85


Gyapol, 50 years old,is the Director of the

Management Committee of the Rongpo

Monastery, the highest temple in the world.

These days, whenever he’s free, he turns on TV

and watches Tibetan programs.”In the past, we

lit the room by solar power or candles. The solar

power could usually be used for 3 to 4 hours in

one evening, and then would run out. Now, we

can watch 52 channels on TV as long as we want

and are not worried about electricity any more.”

Gyapol’s excitement benefits from a newly

completed electric power project. In the middle

of April 2014, the Mt. Qomolangma 10kv

Electricity Project, which has lasted for two

years, was officially finished and put into use.

The completion of the construction signifi es

that China formally sends power to the Mt.

Qomolangma Base Camp at the altitude of 5200

meters.

Gonpo, an 80-year-old alpinist,was very

happy when he heard the news that power was

on in the Mt.Qomolangma Base Camp. In 1960,

he and his two teammates, Wang Fuzhou and Qu

Yinhua, made history as the fi rst human beings

to climb Mt. Qomolangma from the northern

side, and the first to leave the Five-Starred Red

Flag waving on the summit of the Earth.”My last

time in the base camp of Mt. Qomolangma was

more than 20 years ago. Then, power was

generated by dynamo. We had to save it and

used it only when we wanted to send messages.

That electricity has been sent onto the

Mt.Qomolangma Base Camp is as great as those

human beings reaching the peak of the

Lighting Up the Highest Place in the World

Text by Zhang Jingpin

The construction site of the Mt. Qomolangma 10kv Electricity Project.

Tibet TodayNews From China April 2015

mountain,” the old Gonpo stated inspiredly.

Wang Yunjia, reporter from the Xinhua

News Agency, who arrived at the Mt.

Qomolangma Base Camp with the Tibetan

Mountaineering Team in 2013, wrote in an

interview:”Then, though there was a dynamo in

the camp, fuel was very precious.So every

evening, we could only have it operating for

three hours, and our cell phones would not be

charged until that time. For climbers and

tourists, it is a good thing to have power on in

the base camp.”

Looking at Pole No. 8844, the highest 10kv

w i r e p o l e i n t h e

world,Palbar Dondrup,

director of the project, said:

“The construction region is

a s h i g h a s 5 0 0 0

meters,where the oxygen

content is less than half of

that on the plain. About 200

construction workers have

overcome the influence of

gale and laid wire line for 85

km. Finally,we sent power

into the camps of Mt.

Q o m o l a n g m a B a s e ,

allowing it to say goodbye

to the intermittent solar

energy generation and

dynamo.”

In May 2012, the Tibet

Shigatse Power Supply

Company of the State Grid

Corpora t ion of China

launched the project to

upgrade the rural power

grid. The project got a total

investment of 570 million

Yuan, covering 4 counties,

Sakya,Ngangring, Dinggye

and Tingri,all with a total

area of about 66.5thousand

square kilometers and a

population of over 160

thousand.The wire line going through the foot of

Mt. Qomolangma is only one section of the

program. By such a way to extend the major

power net, the State Grid Corporation of China

not only realizes that there is electricity

available in the Mt.Qomolangma Base Camp, but

it also supplies safe and reliable power for the

1,011 families in the 21 villages along the line

and for the historic Monastery of Rongpo.

The news that power is on in the Mt.

Qomolangma Base Camp soon aroused hot

discussions among the vast outdoor fans. Some

netizen said:”Now I am not worried about

having a bath in the Mt. Qomolangma Base

The 4980-meter-high Rongpo Monastery is the best site to view the Mt. Qomolangma.

87


camp.”

Also, the news delights the tourists and

alpinists, and fills researchers with expectation.

Ten times every year, Wang Zhongyan,Assistant

Master of the Mt.Qomolangma Station, the

Institute of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,Chinese

Academy of Sciences, goes to the Mt.

Qomolangma Base Camp to do scientific

research. He said that before the poles were set

up, the Mt. Qomolangma Station relied on the

solar photovoltaic generation as the main

power source. However,the solar generation

had its disadvantages with an insufficient work

rate, easy weather impact,and less capacity to

run larger instruments .

Especially in the monsoon

period, the shortage of power

g r e a t l y i n f l u e n c e d t h e

operat ions of sc ient i f ic

research equipment as well as

the daily power usage for

usual living. In the past,it was

unimaginable to construct the

state grid in the region, which

now supplies stable and

sufficient electricity for the Mt.

Qomolangma Station, offers

m u c h c o n v e n i e n c e , a n d

guarantees the station’s

ability to plan and develop

future scientific research

observations, particularly

assuring the operation of

higherpower instruments.

Then, fellow researchers

c o u l d a p p l y d i f f e r e n t

monitoring methods to collect

more information. If the work

and data accumulation can

persist for several years, they

could give more detailed and

precise explanations to

enhance understanding of

how the environment in the

region of Mt.Qomolangma has changed due to

the impact of global warming.

One responsible person from the

government of the Tingri County of Shigatse

Prefecture believed that the project would not

only offer convenience for the annual 70

thousand people visiting the Mt. Qomolangma

Base Camp,but it would also greatly improve the

power-usage life of the local common people.

“In a few days, I am going to go to the county and

buy a laundry machine. Then, I don’thave to

suffer cold and do laundry in winter,” said

Rigzin, a woman from the Township Village of

Zhaxizom,Tingri County.

Electricity is available in the Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp.

CCTV News 89News From China April 2015

CRI CIBN90 News From China April 2015

PDF Version of this Issue is available at http://in.china-embassy.org

Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-16/4034/15-17R.N.I. No. 47440/88

April 2015

Chinese Embassy Website: http://in.china-embassy.orgWebsite of Foreign Ministry of China: www.mfa.gov.cn

www.fmprc.gov.cn

E-mail: [email protected]:[email protected]

Published, Printed and Edited by Mme. Xie Liyan on behalf of the Press Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021. Tel: 26881249, Fax: 26882024

Printed at A.K. Printers, S-217, Bank Street, Munirka, New Delhi-110067, Ph: 9818114996Date of Publishing: 24th of every month Posted at Chanakyapuri P.O. on 27th & 28th of every month

Dayan Pagoda, a symbol of Northwest China's city Xi'an.

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