Speakers at a program in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian, the coastal province of China, said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been an international platform to promote development, peace, and security all over the world.
They were speaking at a book launch ceremony at the studio of the Provincial Radio, Film, and Television Group in Fuzhou on Saturday evening.
Two books titled ‘Understanding Chinese Culture: Retracing Maritime Silk Road’ and ‘The Illustrated Fujian and the Maritime Silk Road’ were unveiled at the event.
The books tell the story of the Silk Road of mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations and highlight the views of the Chinese of all nations living in harmony, working together for a common cause, and creating a favorable cultural atmosphere for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
The books also shed light on the history and culture of the Maritime Silk Road and the spiritual connotation of Chinese civilization.
A visiting delegation of foreign diplomats and journalists based in Beijing, Xiamen, and Guangzhou joined the ceremony.
The delegation includes diplomats from Sri Lanka, Solomon Island, Fiji, Singapore, and Thailand and journalists from Bangladesh, Iran, Japan, Pakistan, Turkey, Germany, and China.
Speaking at the ceremony, Zhang Yan, member of the standing committee and head of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Fujian provincial committee, said the Maritime Silk Road promotes cultural exchanges and friendship and Fujian is a crucial part of it.
He mentioned that it is more relevant in the present times and Fujian is open to deeper cooperation and exchanges with countries along the Maritime Silk Road.
He further mentioned that the BRI has been a global platform for win-win cooperation by promoting mutual understanding, trust, and respect across the globe.
Lu Cairong, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), said that the BRI has been a global cooperation platform, carrying forward our friendship for peace and prosperity.
He mentioned that being located at the starting point of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Fujian has a rich legacy of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, and the province looks forward to further cooperation and exchanges between countries along the BRI.
Wu Hongbo, special representative of the Chinese government on European affairs, said that Fujian is a starting point of the Maritime Silk Road and the cradle of Chinese civilization.
He mentioned that it is a crucial place for cooperation and has long been conducting cultural and economic exchanges with countries along the silk road.
Ambassador of Fiji to China Manasa Ralawa Tagicakibau congratulated the new government of China with President Xi Jinping at its core.
He said Chinese civilization had contributed to global peace and security and now China is fueling global economic growth.
Citing the BRI offers constructive proposals for multilateral negotiations, he said that it has been a global platform for cooperation and China is applauded for the initiative in the Pacific region.
The Fijian diplomat said the BRI promotes connectivity resulting in economic growth, investment, and consumption.
Fabulous cultural performances by local artists and foreign students studying in the province mesmerized the audience at the book launch ceremony.
It may be noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was first put forward by President Xi Jinping in 2013.
As an important starting point and the birthplace of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Fujian is also the core area of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
With its rich historical and cultural resources, Fujian has left a lot of collective memories of the Maritime Silk Road in the world.
