BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of the governments of China and Argentina have signed a cooperation plan here to jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. The plan will fully implement the significant consensus reached by leaders of both countries on promoting the high-quality development of the initiative and deepen collaboration on areas including infrastructure, energy, economy and trade, finance and culture. Source: Xinhua

BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement took effect on Friday for the Philippines, confirming that the RCEP agreement is now in effect for all 15 members. The full RCEP implementation reflects the determination and actions of its 15 members -- 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand -- in supporting an open, free, fair, inclusive and rules-based multilateral trading system, China's commerce ministry commented. The RCEP agreement was signed in November 2020 by the 15 Asia-Pacific countries after eight years of negotiations. It entered into force on the first day of 2022, creating the world's largest trade bloc. The full implementation will inject strong momentum into regional economic integration, comprehensively enhance the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in East Asia, and contribute to the long-term stable development of the regional and global economy, said the commerce ministry. In 2022, trade between China and other RCEP members increased 7.5 percent year on year to 12.95 trillion yuan (about 1.82 trillion U.S. dollars), while their investment in China, in actual use, went up 23.1 percent to 23.53 billion U.S. dollars, data showed. China will continue to ensure solid RCEP implementation to give full play to its role in facilitating supply chain and industrial chain cooperation, as well as promoting high-standard opening up and high-quality development, the ministry said. China will also work with other parties to fulfill its obligations, strengthen the RCEP mechanism, enhance the overall implementation of the agreement, and provide a strong guarantee for the steady development of RCEP cooperation, it said. Source: Xinhua

A China-Europe freight train (Zhengzhou) loaded with 1,200 tonnes of goods including photovoltaic (PV) modules, machinery and equipment departed from Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province on May 25, heading for Hamburg, Germany after passing through Alataw Pass in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In recent years, the China-Europe freight trains have maintained stable operation, with their resilience and advantages becoming increasingly prominent. Especially this year, as the economy has been recovering well, multiple China-Europe freight train routes have achieved new highs in performance, with transportation capacity and efficiency continuing to improve. Data shows that from January to April this year, China-Europe freight trains ran a total of 5,611 trips, delivering 609,000 TEUs of cargo, up 17 percent and 32 percent year on year, respectively. By the end of April, the domestic departure cities of China-Europe freight trains reached 109, connecting with 211 cities in 25 European countries and regions globally. -- Freight train operation conveys market rebound signal Abdulla Imov Parkhat from Kyrgyzstan, who has been engaged in the import and exporttradeof sewing machines in Yiwu, China's small commodity hub in east China's Zhejiang Province since 2010, said, "In the first four months of this year, ourtradevolume increased by about 5 percent compared to that in the same period last year. I am confident that this year will be very good." At that time, there was no China-Europe freight train, and the purchased sewing machines and accessories had to be shipped to Kyrgyzstan by sea. Customs clearance required short-haul transportation of goods to the port, and the procedures for booking a sea container were cumbersome, with long transportation times. "Since the opening of the Yiwu China-Europe freight train in November 2014, transportation time and costs for goods have been reduced at least byhalf. I have gained more customers in Kyrgyzstan," said Abdulla Imov Parkhat. Since the launch of Yiwu China-Europe freight train service, it has been accumulating and enriching the experience in operating international freight trains, expanding the international railroad freight service network serving Asia and Europe. It now has reached 101 overseas stations, radiating more than 50 countries and regions and connecting to more than 160 cities. Meanwhile, cities around China have also ushered in the peak of launching their China-Europe freight trains. On May 19, the China-Europe freight train (Wuhan) loaded with automobiles, garments, sporting products and other goods left Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, marking the 101st China-Europe freight train from Hubei this year. Since this year, there have been 425 China-Europe freight trains departing and arriving in Wuhan. Data shows that in the first four months of this year, China's total import and export value of trade in goods amounted to 13.32 trillion yuan, an increase of 5.8 percent year on year, with the growth rate accelerating by 1 percentage point compared with the 4.8 percent in the first quarter. The import and export value was 3.43 trillion yuan in April, an increase of 8.9 percent year on year. In the complex and severe external environment, the resilience of China's foreign trade has been highlighted. TheBelt and Road countriesalong the routes of the China-Europe freight trains have also seen a thriving development in trade with China. In the first four months, China's combined import and export volume with theBelt and Road(B&R) countries reached 4.61 trillion yuan, an year-on-year increase of 16 percent. Among them, the import and export volume with the five Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, and countries in West Asia and North Africa including Saudi Arabia, have increased by 37.4 percent and 9.6 percent respectively, partially offsetting the impact of the sluggish traditional market demand. -- China-Europe freight train service helps new energy vehicles (NEVs) go global In the first quarter of this year, the production and sales of Chinese automobiles declined slightly compared with the same period last year, but the exports of complete vehicles increased by 70.6 percent year on year, and the exports of new energy vehicles (NEVs) increased by 110 percent year on year. And China-Europe freight train played an indispensable role in the growths of NEV exports. "I have been busy for several days, but I am pleased with that. The NEV export special freight trains have achieved regular operation, which is a new breakthrough," said Bai Kuanfeng, the person in charge of Xi'an Guojigang Station, the China-Europe freight train operator. On May 16 this year, a China-Europe freight train, loaded with 261 NEVs produced by local enterprises in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, departed from Xi'an Guojigang Station, heading for Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. The operation of China-Europe freight train has realized regular operation this year, opening up a safe, efficient and convenient international logistics channel to help domestic automobiles go global. In January this year, Chinese authorities including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), issued the Opinions on Supporting New Energy Commodity Vehicle Railway Transport Services for the Development of New Energy Vehicle Industry, actively encouraging railroad transport enterprises to carry out railroad transport business for new energy commodity vehicles, which are no longer regulated as dangerous goods. Meanwhile, the transport of domestic NEVs by China-Europe freight trains in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province has become a new pillar of growth in traffic volume. According to the China Railway Zhengzhou Bureau Group Co., Ltd, the Zhengzhou railway department has strengthened the safety management of China-Europe freight trains to ensure smooth and reliable operation of the train. At present, a total of 622 twenty-feet equivalent units (TEU) of NEVs have been delivered by China-Europe freight trains (Zhengzhou). "Sometimes we have to send out two or three special trains for NEVs per week, originating from Chongqing, Sichuan, Hubei and other places. We strengthen cooperation with customs, leverage the advantages of China-Europe freight trains, actively serve key products such as NEVs for exports, and help Chinese manufacturing go global," said Yan Huapeng, chief of the operation management section of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd., Alataw Pass Station. The operation of the China-Europe freight train has not only increased the supply of automobiles in the Central Asian market but has also enabled more "Made-in-China" products to reach ordinary households in Central Asia. At present, the China-Europe freight trains (Wuhan) have developed 37 stable cross-border transport routes, radiating 107 cities in 40 countries and regions in Asia and Europe, and transporting more than 400 varieties of products, from the initial electronic components, monitors and daily necessities to complete automobiles and spare parts, mechanical and electrical products, glass curtain walls, clothing, shoes and hats, tea, cultural goods, fruits, brand liquor and anti-pandemic supplies. According to the person in charge of China Railway Xi'an Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the products exported by the China-Europe freight train (Xi'an) have expanded from construction machinery products in 2013 to new energy vehicles, solar photovoltaic panels, refrigerators, and other products. This is especially evident in the variety of goods exported to Central Asian countries. -- Freight trains see faster capacity expansion and reconstruction "Mongolian Railways agreed to our proposal to include 15 pairs/day of broad gauge conversion and 8 pairs/day of standard gauge conversion in the Protocol of the China-MongoliaJoint Border Railway Committee Meeting, which was implemented from March 1, as a result of the joint efforts of the delegations of both sides," introduced the person in charge of Transportation Department of China Railway Hohhot Bureau Group Co., Ltd. The traffic volume of China-Europe freight trains is increasing every day and their role is becoming more and more prominent. In order to better adapt to the development situation and play the role of connecting China with other countries and smooth the supply chain of the different industries, all parties have intensified their efforts in capacity expansion and reconstruction of the freight trains. In 2022, in order to better serve the joint construction of theBelt and Road Initiativeand promote construction of the central corridor of the China-Europe freight train routes, China Railway Hohhot Bureau Group Co., Ltd. carried out capacity expansion and reconstruction to Jining-Erenhot railroad line and Erenhot Station, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The number of wide-gauge and standard-gauge connecting train lines has increased to 30. The newly constructed Erenhot Station Dispatch and Command Center will adopt the integrated control and transportation organization model of wide-gauge yard, standard-gauge yard, wheel-changing facility, and border inspection facility, providing ample capacity assurance for the efficient operation of the China-Europe freight trains. “In the first four months of this year, we have maintained regular operation of more than 20 inbound and outbound freight trains per day, with the highest daily throughput at the port reaching 29 trains, achieving the best level since the opening of the station," said Zhang Shuoguo, a dispatcher at the Safety Production Command Center of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd., Horgos Station. As the western corridor of the China-Europe freight trains, the railway authorities of Xinjiang have actively focused on improving the throughput capacity of the ports and smoothing transport channel of China-Europe freight trains, and stepped up the capacity expansion and reconstruction of Alataw Pass Station. As of May 10th this year, Xinjiang had witnessed a total of 5,032 China-Europe freight trains passing through the Alataw Pass and Horgos Ports, representing a 17.8 percent year-on-year increase. Specifically, Alataw Pass Railway Port had 2,317 China-Europe freight trains passing through, showing a 12.3 percent year-on-year growth, while Horgos Railway Port witnessed a total of 2,715 freight trains passing through the port, indicating a 22.9 percent year-on-year increase. Since the beginning of this year, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (CHINA RAILWAY) has continuously expanding the China-Europe freight train routes by leveraging the capacity of port stations. From January to April, the number of train operations on the western, central, and eastern routes increased by 25 percent, 9 percent, and 10 percent respectively compared to the same period last year. This has led to continuous enhancement of transportation capacity and efficiency for the China-Europe freight trains. Source:Belt and Road Portal

ISTANBUL, May 30 (Xinhua) -- China has achieved success on multiple fronts of national development, providing the world with a new path to modernization, a prominent Turkish scholar on international relations has said. China is making progress "not only in the field of technology or of social development but in almost all fields," Huseyin Bagci, an academic with the Ankara-based Middle East Technical University and president of the Turkish Foreign Policy Institute, told Xinhua in a recent interview. Significant progress has been achieved in human rights, poverty alleviation, education, social security, health, and national unity, Bagci said, highlighting China's outstanding achievements in promoting human rights by eradicating absolute poverty, protecting people's rights, and expanding education and health services. Bagci believes China is providing the world with an alternative path to modernization that differs from that of the Western world, which is unprecedented in world history. The scholar also saluted China's outstanding contributions to developing countries' modernization by providing ample funding and credits. "Many countries, of course, in Africa, Asia and Latin America, they look to China as a dynamic, external factor for modernization, because China provides a lot of credits, infrastructural help," Bagci said, citing various fields ranging from education to health and agriculture as core areas of cooperation between China and other developing countries. Source: Xinhua

ACCRA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- China's rapid economic recovery and technological development will bring more benefits to African people, a Ghanaian politician has said. Speaking to Xinhua in a recent interview, Kwaku Amponsah Asiama, the executive and political assistant to the general secretary of Ghana's ruling New Patriotic Party, said the viewpoint is anchored in his close observation in China, life and work experiences in Africa, and confidence in the evolving cooperation between the two sides. In April, Asiama participated in the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival held in China as the sole representative of Ghanaian youths, during which he visited different Chinese cities and projects for the first time and shared his thoughts on China-Africa cooperation with other representatives. "It was one of the best experiences I've had in my life as an individual. I was quite impressed with everything that I saw in China, and how things have been put in place in China," he said, praising the country for its hospitality, amicable environment, and vibrant economy. Asiama said he is struck by the splendor of the Great Wall and Mount Taishan, and the scene of tourists at home and abroad now flocking to those well-known tourist attractions, mirroring a boom in China's tourism industry. According to him, the recovery of the tourism sector bodes well for China's economy as it could fuel growth in many other sectors such as catering, hospitality and transportation. "I must commend China for this; it is obviously still one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Things are back on track, and they're moving with a very high speed to make sure that things get to the very normal level," Asiama said. Describing China's high-speed train as top-notch, Asiama said he was amazed at how Chinese people have leveraged their wisdom and creativity to solve residents' travel problems in the process of urbanization, which also offered a valuable experience to Africa, a continent with huge numbers of people facing various challenges in transportation. "If you look at the quality of roads being constructed (by Chinese) in most of these African countries, there is no difference from what we see in China," he said, stressing that this trip bolstered his idea that Chinese-built projects always deliver one of the best qualities under the Belt and Road initiative. As a crop science major, Asiama has always been itching to study China's agricultural technology and how it is being applied to feed a country with a population of 1.4 billion. Finally, the trip allowed him to take a closer look at China's agricultural development. "China has the machinery, technology, and equipment to be able to cultivate arable crops, vegetables, or fruits in large quantities or on a large scale production," Asiama said, noting that China's advancement in agriculture could benefit African countries like Ghana, which urgently needs to revamp its traditional farming. "We have the rainy season and the dry season here in Ghana. So once we are out of the rainy season, how could we be able to irrigate our lands? It will need a huge irrigation system and technology to be able to cultivate (the crops)," he said. Asiama voiced his hope that more agricultural cooperation could be achieved between the two countries to enable more low-income Ghanaian farmers to benefit from the boom in modern technology. Asiama said the trip also reinforced his idea of being a narrator of Chinese stories in Africa. "I think that the best thing is to talk about it. The more we talk about it, the more people get to know about China." Source: Xinhua

BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) have just concluded a key trade and commerce expo in Ningbo, east China, unleashing new potential for practical cooperation and deeper ties. This year marks the beginning of the second decade of China-CEEC cooperation. Since 2012, China's trade with CEECs has grown at an average annual rate of 8.1 percent, and China's imports from CEECs have increased at an average rate of 9.2 percent annually. In the first quarter of this year, two-way trade totaled 33.3 billion U.S. dollars, up 1.6 percent yearly. Eleven years on, bilateral cooperation has progressed, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has boosted trade, revived growth and sparked new possibilities across the region and beyond through increased connectivity and cooperation. PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY Commuters, merchants and tourists have been inconvenienced during the border crossing from Bosnia and Herzegovina to south Croatia for decades. A bridge inaugurated in 2022 has made those exhausting trips a thing of the past. A significant BRI and infrastructure project for Croatia, the Peljesac Bridge connects the Croatian mainland with the Peljesac Peninsula of its southernmost Dubrovnik-Neretva County, bypassing a short strip of land belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina and giving Croatia better access to the area. It also represents a new landmark to further brighten the prospect of China-Croatia and China-Europe relations and cooperation. Now it takes a breezy three-minute drive to cross the strait for Dubrovnik, a medieval city known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic." What connectivity brings goes beyond tourism. A smoother trade flow means generating thousands of local jobs, something felt by individuals, business people and entrepreneurs. So far, more than 1.5 million vehicles have used the new bridge, Davor Peric, project manager at Croatian Roads, told Xinhua. "So the basic idea for the bridge, which was obviously long-waited from the local people and the Croatian people altogether, was to connect the territory." "The Peljesac region, the southern part region that has been disconnected for a long time, has also grown because of the bridge. Economic activity has been increasing recently, and we believe that part of Croatia will definitely develop much faster now that they have completely new roads and the bridge," Peric added. In Hungary, another flagship BRI project, the Hungarian-Serbian railway connecting the Hungarian capital Budapest and Serbian capital Belgrade, is progressing smoothly. Hungary signed a Belt and Road cooperation document with China in 2015, becoming the first European country to ink such a deal. Erno Peto, president of the Hungarian-Chinese Chamber of Economy, said that "over the past 10 years, Hungary has become a regional center for finance, tourism and logistics in Central and Eastern Europe of China thanks to the BRI." Levente Horvath, director of the Eurasia Center of the John von Neumann University in Hungary, said he looks forward to the completion of this project so that Hungarians can benefit from it. Across Serbia, Chinese investments have created thousands of jobs in sectors such as automobile parts, mining, steel, furniture and others, according to the Development Agency of Serbia. The Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest high-speed railway launched a year ago "marked a significant turning point in the further development of our Serbia," said Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic. In Greece, over 13 years of cooperation between China's COSCO Shipping and Greece's largest port Piraeus has proven to be an exemplary case of joint development. Antonis Apergis, superintendent of the engineering department of Piraeus Container Terminal S.A., said that because of the project, new jobs were created, boosting employment in the surrounding area. "The company has helped the wider region a lot, because if we recall it started in a very difficult period for Greece that we experienced." "SKY IS THE LIMIT" "The customer base here in China is huge. I see people are hungry to get the information about high-end, nutritious food, so I see market potential here," Petr Kovanik, owner of a Prague-based chocolate company, told Xinhua at a newly-built venue of the just-concluded China-CEEC expo. Like Kovanik, many manufacturers, distributors and business insiders are bullish on China's growing sales and investment opportunities, made possible through upgraded logistics under the BRI framework. "What impressed me most is the ever faster labeling process for imported wines and ever faster shipments of products due to the excellent logistics environment in China," Liakos Constantinos, co-founder of Hellenic Agora Trading Ltd., a Greek wine importer and distributor in China, told Xinhua. "I am very upbeat about the Chinese market. Alcohol consumption is closely related to economic prosperity. As the Chinese economy continues to grow, so will our business," Constantinos said. "Our sales in China grew steadily, and export channels expanded despite the pandemic," said Slovakian wine exporter Peter Lisicky, adding that he sees great market potential in China and expects a larger consumer base, probably in central China. Previously, wine transport to Chinese port cities relied on sea freight. However, with the development of the BRI and railways, numerous wine traders are considering expanding their business to other regions within China. "Bosnia and Herzegovina has broad prospects for cooperation with China and other CEECs in energy, infrastructure, green economic transformation and clean energy. We envision more cooperation projects in the future," said Zdravko Marinkovic, president of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to Yu Yuantang, a Chinese Ministry of Commerce official, China and the CEECs play a crucial role in the global industrial and supply chains as key partners in the BRI. They exhibit high economic complementarity, smooth connectivity, and dynamic two-way investments. Zahari Zahariev, chairman of Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road, underscored the "enormous opportunities" in renewable energy cooperation with China, a leader in the area of photovoltaics, believing that there is potential for further cooperation with China in public goods projects, such as waste disposal, transport and medical care. Peto, president of the Hungarian-Chinese Chamber of Economy, said China's intention to increase imports from CEECs is critical under the current global economic landscape. Peto said the CEECs are fully aware that the benefits of the BRI will not be handed to them on a silver platter and that they must work together actively to achieve prosperity. Source: Xinhua

On January 16of 2023, 69 deputies from Shaanxi Province were elected to the 14th National People's Congress(NPC) in accordance with the law at the first session of the 14th Shaanxi Provincial People's Congress. Lu Jianzhong, Chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce and Chairman of Tang West Market Group, was re-electedas a deputy to the NPC since his last term beginning in January 2018. Before that, Chairman Luwerea member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)for three terms. Since his election as a deputy to the NPC, Luhas been earnestly performinghis duties. He has made suggestions on hot issues such as the innovative development of cultural industry, encouraging and supporting the private economy, and high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. He put forward the Proposal on the Enactment of the Law on Promoting the Digital Economy.A total of 24 proposals were suggestedin areas such as giving full play to the private sector to promote the Belt and Road Initiative and the high-quality development of the private economy, whichprovide detailed reference for relevant ministries and commissions onformulatingpolicies and regulations. Some of the suggestions have been incorporated into relevant planning or policy-relateddocuments.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Türkiye’s southern border at 4:17 a.m. local time (0917 GMT+8) on February 6. The earthquake was the most devastating one in Türkiye since 1999, wreaking havoc on at least 10 provinces. The death toll climbed to 2,316 in Türkiye and 711 in Syria, and the number of injured rose to 13,293 in Türkiye and 1,431 in Syria as of February 6 local time, according to Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency and Syrian Ministry of Health. Left: damaged buildings in the Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras province, Türkiye on February 6. Right: rescue efforts at a collapsed building in Malatya, Türkiye on February 6. (Source: Xinhua News) On February 6, Chinese president Xi Jinping sent messages of condolences to the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. The message reads as follows: “I was distressed to learn of the powerful earthquake which has caused heavy casualties and property losses. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to express our deep condolences to the victims and the injured, and their families. We are confident that your people will recover from the disaster and rebuild homes in no time under the leadership of your administration.” SRCIC, with its 218 organizational members from 82 countries, has several Turkish members. Upon learning the severe earthquake in Türkiye, SRCIC chairman Mr. Lu Jianzhong and the Secretariat sent condolences to Mr. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye, Mr. Adnan Akfirat, Chairman of the Turkish-Chinese Business Development and Friendship Association, and the Çalık Group. The Chinese government swiftly launched emergency humanitarian assistance mechanism and provided 40 million RMB of emergency assistance to Türkiye at the first batch, including sending out urban rescue teams and medical teams, and providing relief materials. China also coordinated the delivery of relief supplies to Syria and a speedy implementation of ongoing food aid projects. Meanwhile, Chinese people from all walks of life extended a helping hand to Türkiye and Syria. The Red Cross Society of China donated 200,000 US dollars to both countries respectively. Chinese people in the disaster-hit areas are raising donations of tents, blankets and other relief supplies. It is learned that China's Rescue Team of Ramunion, a civilian rescue organization, has arrived at the disaster area this morning to carry out rescue. Political leaders of many countries expressed their sympathy and support to Türkiye after learning the massive casualties caused by the powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake. We hereby call on all SRCIC members and the international community to provide assistance and support within their capacity to the affected people in Türkiye and Syria. Source: Xinhua News

On November 8th, as a prelude to the 2022 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, the WIC Member Representative Symposium was held on the venue in ZhejiangProvince. This is the first symposium since the establishment of WIC International Organization, aiming to enhance exchange and cooperation between the organization and its members, and among the membersthemselves. Zhuang Rongwen, chairman of the WIC Organization Committee,attended and addressed the symposium. The eventwasmoderated by WIC Secretary GeneralRen Xianliang. More than 30 member representatives from international organizations, leading global Internet companies, industry authorities and associations listedthe symposium. Lu Jianzhong, chairman of the Board of Directors of Tang West Market Group and chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce,discussed with other representatives about the opportunities and challenges brought by the development of global internet and the prospects of WIC. Zhuangpointed out that as a common platform for the global Internet family, the WIC originates in China but belongs to the world. He hoped that members would contribute their suggestions to the Conference, participate initsconstructionand support its development. Members need to build consensus on ideas, focus on new challenges and problems in cyberspace, and align the efforts of international community to resolve differences.Thedeepeningintegration of digital economy and real economy, and coordination of global industrial and supply chainsare the focuses in developing the digital economy. Members shouldboostscientific and technological innovation, strengthen international collaborationand global cooperation, and exchangevisions and applications of Internet-related technology. Members should deepen cultural exchanges, promote cooperation in internet media, and strengthen the construction of internet culture. Members shouldalsofocus on leading global cooperation, pursuingcommon prosperity for all mankind, deepeningcommon interests and promoting mutual benefit in the Internet sector. LuJianzhongbriefed thethree platformsbuilt by Tang West Market Group, namely the Datang Chain, the Hainan International Cultural and Art Trading Center,and the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC). The platforms are part of the contributing efforts tothedigital cultural industry,the cultural cause,and the construction of Digital China.He suggestedbuildinga multi-chain, cross-chain and internationally-oriented blockchain infrastructure for cultural and art transactions and a cultural digital Silk Road, which can be based on theDatang Chain, a national blockchain anda pilot project of copyright innovativeapplication. The international resources and industrial advantages of SRCICcould also contribute to this cause. The proposal outlines a cultural digital platform for artworks trading and exchange among various countries. The platform integrates functions including ownership validation, authentication, pricing, sequencing and confirming. Together, they resolve the three pain points of the industry - appraisal, valuation and standardization of artworks. This endeavor will boost international cultural and art exchanges and transactions, and enhance mutual learning among civilizations along the Belt and Road. The WIC International Organizationwas established on July 12 this year. It is an international, industrial and non-profit social organization set upvoluntarily by enterprises, organizations, institutions and individuals committed to facilitatingthe global Internetdevelopment. It was registered in China and headquartered in Beijing. Source: World Internet ConferenceWeChat Official Account

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is delighted to welcome Maria Fernanda Garza as its new Chair. After serving as ICC First Vice-Chair for the past two years, the small business owner from Mexico succeeds Ajay Banga as ICC Chair, making her the first woman to hold this position. Maria Fernanda Garza has been elected ICC Chair for a period of two years following a meeting of the ICC World Council, held yesterday in Mexico City. The ICC World Council additionally elected Philippe Varin, Chair of ICC France, as ICC First Vice-Chair, and Nayla Comair Obeid and Harsh Pati Singhania as ICC Vice-Chairs. Ms Garza is CEO of Orestia, as well as SRCIC Vice Chair, a small manufacturing home improvement solutions company based in Mexico, with exports to the USMCA region, Latin-America and Asia. A lifelong advocate for small and medium businesses in her home country and around the world, she participated 19 years in the Mexican Employers' Association (COPARMEX) and served as Vice-President for four years. In her new role, Ms Garza will continue to drive ICC's mission to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. Commenting on her election, Maria Fernanda Garza said: "Given the magnitude of the downside risks facing the global economy, it's absolutely vital for us to have a united business voice committed to openness, fair competition and the enablement of peace through international trade.” "In a period that has been characterized by weak international cooperation, I believe that ICC has a vital role to play in harnessing the expertise, innovation and networks of the private sector to secure an effective response to major global challenges. Simply put, our mission to enable peace and prosperity through trade has never been more vital — and, indeed, more urgent." Ms Garza's interest in improving the business environment made her a prominent business leader at a young age. She was the ICC Regional Coordinator for the Americas and a member of the governing body of the ICC International Court of Arbitration. An ICC Executive Board member since 2014, Ms Garza became the first woman to be elected as ICC First Vice-Chair in 2020. A strong advocate of business ethics and corporate governance standards, Ms Garza was Chair of ICC Mexico until June 2020 and is a former member of the International Affairs Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Labour and former member of the National Advisory Committee of ACLAN. She is also a Board Member of the Corporate Responsibility Alliance AliaRSE and was a member of the Corporate Responsibility Network of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD. ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said: "In her new capacity as Chair, Maria Fernanda's experience and insights as CEO of a successful small business will further reinforce the work we do and help ensure that ICC reaches the whole of the international business community. She has already contributed greatly to ICC's work at the global, regional and national levels, and we are very happy that she will remain a strong champion for ICC and challenge us to push ahead to promote more inclusive growth and prosperity." Effective 14 June 2022 for a two-year term, Ms Garza succeeds Ajay Banga in the role. We take this opportunity to thank Mr Banga for his outstanding leadership of our organisation during the past two years, a particularly challenging and uncertain time for businesses worldwide. Mr Banga will continue to serve on the ICC Executive Board as Honorary Chair. The ICC World Council also elected six new members of the ICC Executive Board for three-year terms, strengthening gender, ethnic and geographical diversity in ICC's leadership. Holger Bingmann, Managing Partner, Bingmann Pflüger International GmbH (Germany) Rebecca Enonchong, CEO, AppsTech and Chair of Afrilabs (Cameroon) Marjorie Yang, Chairwoman, Esquel Group (Hong Kong) Lama Al Sulaiman, Shareholder and a Board Member of Rolaco Holdings, KSA, and LUX (Saudi Arabia) Nicolas Uribe, Chair, Bogota Chamber (Colombia) Justin D’Agostino, CEO, Herbert Smith Freehills (Hong Kong) Fredrik Cappelen, Chair at Dometic and Transcom (Sweden), and Candace Johnson, Vice-Chair at NorthStar Earth and Space (Luxembourg/United States) are starting second terms as members of the ICC Executive Board. The ICC World Council additionally ratifiedthe election of Nicolas Uribe, President of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ICC Colombia, as Chair of the ICC World Chambers Federation. His term begins on 1 July 2022. Source: iccwbo.org

SRCIC Secretary General Diane Bian held a talk with Lum Wan Liang, Consul General of Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi'an and his delegation On April 27, 2022, SRCIC Secretary General Diane Bian held a talk with Lum Wan Liang, Consul General of Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi'an, Loh Kai Yong and Raymond Raman, President and Secretary General of the Xi'an Branch of Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (MAYCHAM CHINA). SG Bian first extended welcome to Consul General Lum Wan Liang and his delegation. She pointed out that SRCIC has been committed to building a cooperation platform between governments and enterprises. Despite the suspension of offline activities due to the COVID pandemic, the long-standing cooperation and friendship between SRCIC and its members and partners continues. It is expected that in the post pandemic period, SRCIC and Malaysian Consulate can resume cooperation and share new opportunities for investment and development by co-sponsoring business promotion seminars and other activities. SG Diane Bian and Consul General Lum Wan Liang Although it was only his first visit to SRCIC, Consul General Lum said he had an understanding of it through MAYCHAM CHINA and affirmed SRCIC's achievements since its establishment. Subsequently, he introduced the Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi'an, and said that today's meeting is only a beginning to the many more opportunities to discuss cooperation in depth in the future. The meeting was also attended by Emma Wei, Director of SRCIC Membership Center Section I, Alina Cao, Director of SRCIC Membership Center Section II, and Valentina Wang, Deputy Director of of SRCIC Membership Center Section II.

The national "Two Sessions" for 2022 are ongoing in Beijing. The Shenzhen TV created a special program Two Sessions Through an Foreign Eye, inviting internationally influential figures to comment on China's “Two Sessions” from their perspectives. Recently, Mr. Jean-Guy Carrier, Executive Chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce and former Secretary General of International Chamber of Commerce, was in for an interview with Zhu Endi, reporter of Shenzhen TV based in Beijing. The transcript of the interview is as follows, Zhu: Our Foreign Minister Wang Yi is holding the annual press conference right now. He mentioned before that it is cooperation that represents the mainstream of the China-US relations. To define the relationship as competition is oversimplification. So how do you think of this? Carrier: I think it's very true because I fervently believe that the world needs more Chinese culture. By that I mean the Chinese way of looking at daily life, and how you deal with living and with developing your economy and so forth, based more on cooperation than on trying to undermine each other or trying to throw tariffs and sanctions at each other. I think all of us in the world will benefit from more of that sort of attitude, being influential in the world. So in that sense, the notion of competition is always going to be there, but I think cooperation is absolutely necessary. Voiceover: Carrier is currently in Switzerland. He observed that when the people of the European continent are worried about a war, China is discussing practical problems faced by the mankind, such as economic development and coping with climate change. Such a sharp contrast made him think. When I follow what Premier Li Keqiang has said and what the People's Congress is discussing, it's such as striking contrast. Because they are talking about vital things for the entire planet like climate change, reducing inequality, the Belt and Road Initiative, and fair development and so forth. And the rest of us are obsessed with a regional war. It is such a striking contrast between that discussion and what is happening here in Europe. Again, it just emphasizes for me the importance of China in the world, and to hear what is being said and what people are thinking in China. Zhu: China has outlined its plan to stabilize domestic economy in this crucial year. So what does it mean to China and to the global economy? Carrier: I think China is becoming an engine for the economy. So we can see that with Covid-19 and all the other kinds of pressures that have been exerted around the world on trade, on investment, on flows within countries etc,. It is perfectly normal for government of China to say we have to pay more attention to our domestic market in this crisis situation. And you know frankly, for the rest of the world, this is also very important. Voiceover: Carrier analyzed that it is realistic and practical for China to set its economic growth target at around 5.5 percent this year given the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainties of global trade and investment. I think there are very obvious reasons. First of all, every economy has suffered because of the Covid-pandemic. China is not immune from that. Also there have been so many disruptions in terms of global trade and investment. Again, everyone suffers from that. So what I find encouraging in the government’s target is I think it is realistic, (which) means to set too high a target at this point would be to try fooling everyone, (making them) thinking the world is in better shape than it is at this moment. Zhu: I noticed that you said the target is realistic and practical. In order to achieve this target, what does China need to do? Carrier: What we are all hoping for is that China will reengage with international community. (It will) in fact promote more trade and investment in the world. We see good signs of this. Chinese company is building the biggest automobile electric battery production facility in Germany. So there are encouraging signs of that sort that Chinese companies are continuing to engage in the world, to invest in the world and to work with business people around the world. And I think that is the key to Chinese development.

BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of the governments of China and Argentina have signed a cooperation plan here to jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. The plan will fully implement the significant consensus reached by leaders of both countries on promoting the high-quality development of the initiative and deepen collaboration on areas including infrastructure, energy, economy and trade, finance and culture. Source: Xinhua

BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement took effect on Friday for the Philippines, confirming that the RCEP agreement is now in effect for all 15 members. The full RCEP implementation reflects the determination and actions of its 15 members -- 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand -- in supporting an open, free, fair, inclusive and rules-based multilateral trading system, China's commerce ministry commented. The RCEP agreement was signed in November 2020 by the 15 Asia-Pacific countries after eight years of negotiations. It entered into force on the first day of 2022, creating the world's largest trade bloc. The full implementation will inject strong momentum into regional economic integration, comprehensively enhance the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in East Asia, and contribute to the long-term stable development of the regional and global economy, said the commerce ministry. In 2022, trade between China and other RCEP members increased 7.5 percent year on year to 12.95 trillion yuan (about 1.82 trillion U.S. dollars), while their investment in China, in actual use, went up 23.1 percent to 23.53 billion U.S. dollars, data showed. China will continue to ensure solid RCEP implementation to give full play to its role in facilitating supply chain and industrial chain cooperation, as well as promoting high-standard opening up and high-quality development, the ministry said. China will also work with other parties to fulfill its obligations, strengthen the RCEP mechanism, enhance the overall implementation of the agreement, and provide a strong guarantee for the steady development of RCEP cooperation, it said. Source: Xinhua

A China-Europe freight train (Zhengzhou) loaded with 1,200 tonnes of goods including photovoltaic (PV) modules, machinery and equipment departed from Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province on May 25, heading for Hamburg, Germany after passing through Alataw Pass in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In recent years, the China-Europe freight trains have maintained stable operation, with their resilience and advantages becoming increasingly prominent. Especially this year, as the economy has been recovering well, multiple China-Europe freight train routes have achieved new highs in performance, with transportation capacity and efficiency continuing to improve. Data shows that from January to April this year, China-Europe freight trains ran a total of 5,611 trips, delivering 609,000 TEUs of cargo, up 17 percent and 32 percent year on year, respectively. By the end of April, the domestic departure cities of China-Europe freight trains reached 109, connecting with 211 cities in 25 European countries and regions globally. -- Freight train operation conveys market rebound signal Abdulla Imov Parkhat from Kyrgyzstan, who has been engaged in the import and exporttradeof sewing machines in Yiwu, China's small commodity hub in east China's Zhejiang Province since 2010, said, "In the first four months of this year, ourtradevolume increased by about 5 percent compared to that in the same period last year. I am confident that this year will be very good." At that time, there was no China-Europe freight train, and the purchased sewing machines and accessories had to be shipped to Kyrgyzstan by sea. Customs clearance required short-haul transportation of goods to the port, and the procedures for booking a sea container were cumbersome, with long transportation times. "Since the opening of the Yiwu China-Europe freight train in November 2014, transportation time and costs for goods have been reduced at least byhalf. I have gained more customers in Kyrgyzstan," said Abdulla Imov Parkhat. Since the launch of Yiwu China-Europe freight train service, it has been accumulating and enriching the experience in operating international freight trains, expanding the international railroad freight service network serving Asia and Europe. It now has reached 101 overseas stations, radiating more than 50 countries and regions and connecting to more than 160 cities. Meanwhile, cities around China have also ushered in the peak of launching their China-Europe freight trains. On May 19, the China-Europe freight train (Wuhan) loaded with automobiles, garments, sporting products and other goods left Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, marking the 101st China-Europe freight train from Hubei this year. Since this year, there have been 425 China-Europe freight trains departing and arriving in Wuhan. Data shows that in the first four months of this year, China's total import and export value of trade in goods amounted to 13.32 trillion yuan, an increase of 5.8 percent year on year, with the growth rate accelerating by 1 percentage point compared with the 4.8 percent in the first quarter. The import and export value was 3.43 trillion yuan in April, an increase of 8.9 percent year on year. In the complex and severe external environment, the resilience of China's foreign trade has been highlighted. TheBelt and Road countriesalong the routes of the China-Europe freight trains have also seen a thriving development in trade with China. In the first four months, China's combined import and export volume with theBelt and Road(B&R) countries reached 4.61 trillion yuan, an year-on-year increase of 16 percent. Among them, the import and export volume with the five Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, and countries in West Asia and North Africa including Saudi Arabia, have increased by 37.4 percent and 9.6 percent respectively, partially offsetting the impact of the sluggish traditional market demand. -- China-Europe freight train service helps new energy vehicles (NEVs) go global In the first quarter of this year, the production and sales of Chinese automobiles declined slightly compared with the same period last year, but the exports of complete vehicles increased by 70.6 percent year on year, and the exports of new energy vehicles (NEVs) increased by 110 percent year on year. And China-Europe freight train played an indispensable role in the growths of NEV exports. "I have been busy for several days, but I am pleased with that. The NEV export special freight trains have achieved regular operation, which is a new breakthrough," said Bai Kuanfeng, the person in charge of Xi'an Guojigang Station, the China-Europe freight train operator. On May 16 this year, a China-Europe freight train, loaded with 261 NEVs produced by local enterprises in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, departed from Xi'an Guojigang Station, heading for Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. The operation of China-Europe freight train has realized regular operation this year, opening up a safe, efficient and convenient international logistics channel to help domestic automobiles go global. In January this year, Chinese authorities including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), issued the Opinions on Supporting New Energy Commodity Vehicle Railway Transport Services for the Development of New Energy Vehicle Industry, actively encouraging railroad transport enterprises to carry out railroad transport business for new energy commodity vehicles, which are no longer regulated as dangerous goods. Meanwhile, the transport of domestic NEVs by China-Europe freight trains in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province has become a new pillar of growth in traffic volume. According to the China Railway Zhengzhou Bureau Group Co., Ltd, the Zhengzhou railway department has strengthened the safety management of China-Europe freight trains to ensure smooth and reliable operation of the train. At present, a total of 622 twenty-feet equivalent units (TEU) of NEVs have been delivered by China-Europe freight trains (Zhengzhou). "Sometimes we have to send out two or three special trains for NEVs per week, originating from Chongqing, Sichuan, Hubei and other places. We strengthen cooperation with customs, leverage the advantages of China-Europe freight trains, actively serve key products such as NEVs for exports, and help Chinese manufacturing go global," said Yan Huapeng, chief of the operation management section of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd., Alataw Pass Station. The operation of the China-Europe freight train has not only increased the supply of automobiles in the Central Asian market but has also enabled more "Made-in-China" products to reach ordinary households in Central Asia. At present, the China-Europe freight trains (Wuhan) have developed 37 stable cross-border transport routes, radiating 107 cities in 40 countries and regions in Asia and Europe, and transporting more than 400 varieties of products, from the initial electronic components, monitors and daily necessities to complete automobiles and spare parts, mechanical and electrical products, glass curtain walls, clothing, shoes and hats, tea, cultural goods, fruits, brand liquor and anti-pandemic supplies. According to the person in charge of China Railway Xi'an Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the products exported by the China-Europe freight train (Xi'an) have expanded from construction machinery products in 2013 to new energy vehicles, solar photovoltaic panels, refrigerators, and other products. This is especially evident in the variety of goods exported to Central Asian countries. -- Freight trains see faster capacity expansion and reconstruction "Mongolian Railways agreed to our proposal to include 15 pairs/day of broad gauge conversion and 8 pairs/day of standard gauge conversion in the Protocol of the China-MongoliaJoint Border Railway Committee Meeting, which was implemented from March 1, as a result of the joint efforts of the delegations of both sides," introduced the person in charge of Transportation Department of China Railway Hohhot Bureau Group Co., Ltd. The traffic volume of China-Europe freight trains is increasing every day and their role is becoming more and more prominent. In order to better adapt to the development situation and play the role of connecting China with other countries and smooth the supply chain of the different industries, all parties have intensified their efforts in capacity expansion and reconstruction of the freight trains. In 2022, in order to better serve the joint construction of theBelt and Road Initiativeand promote construction of the central corridor of the China-Europe freight train routes, China Railway Hohhot Bureau Group Co., Ltd. carried out capacity expansion and reconstruction to Jining-Erenhot railroad line and Erenhot Station, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The number of wide-gauge and standard-gauge connecting train lines has increased to 30. The newly constructed Erenhot Station Dispatch and Command Center will adopt the integrated control and transportation organization model of wide-gauge yard, standard-gauge yard, wheel-changing facility, and border inspection facility, providing ample capacity assurance for the efficient operation of the China-Europe freight trains. “In the first four months of this year, we have maintained regular operation of more than 20 inbound and outbound freight trains per day, with the highest daily throughput at the port reaching 29 trains, achieving the best level since the opening of the station," said Zhang Shuoguo, a dispatcher at the Safety Production Command Center of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd., Horgos Station. As the western corridor of the China-Europe freight trains, the railway authorities of Xinjiang have actively focused on improving the throughput capacity of the ports and smoothing transport channel of China-Europe freight trains, and stepped up the capacity expansion and reconstruction of Alataw Pass Station. As of May 10th this year, Xinjiang had witnessed a total of 5,032 China-Europe freight trains passing through the Alataw Pass and Horgos Ports, representing a 17.8 percent year-on-year increase. Specifically, Alataw Pass Railway Port had 2,317 China-Europe freight trains passing through, showing a 12.3 percent year-on-year growth, while Horgos Railway Port witnessed a total of 2,715 freight trains passing through the port, indicating a 22.9 percent year-on-year increase. Since the beginning of this year, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (CHINA RAILWAY) has continuously expanding the China-Europe freight train routes by leveraging the capacity of port stations. From January to April, the number of train operations on the western, central, and eastern routes increased by 25 percent, 9 percent, and 10 percent respectively compared to the same period last year. This has led to continuous enhancement of transportation capacity and efficiency for the China-Europe freight trains. Source:Belt and Road Portal

ISTANBUL, May 30 (Xinhua) -- China has achieved success on multiple fronts of national development, providing the world with a new path to modernization, a prominent Turkish scholar on international relations has said. China is making progress "not only in the field of technology or of social development but in almost all fields," Huseyin Bagci, an academic with the Ankara-based Middle East Technical University and president of the Turkish Foreign Policy Institute, told Xinhua in a recent interview. Significant progress has been achieved in human rights, poverty alleviation, education, social security, health, and national unity, Bagci said, highlighting China's outstanding achievements in promoting human rights by eradicating absolute poverty, protecting people's rights, and expanding education and health services. Bagci believes China is providing the world with an alternative path to modernization that differs from that of the Western world, which is unprecedented in world history. The scholar also saluted China's outstanding contributions to developing countries' modernization by providing ample funding and credits. "Many countries, of course, in Africa, Asia and Latin America, they look to China as a dynamic, external factor for modernization, because China provides a lot of credits, infrastructural help," Bagci said, citing various fields ranging from education to health and agriculture as core areas of cooperation between China and other developing countries. Source: Xinhua

ACCRA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- China's rapid economic recovery and technological development will bring more benefits to African people, a Ghanaian politician has said. Speaking to Xinhua in a recent interview, Kwaku Amponsah Asiama, the executive and political assistant to the general secretary of Ghana's ruling New Patriotic Party, said the viewpoint is anchored in his close observation in China, life and work experiences in Africa, and confidence in the evolving cooperation between the two sides. In April, Asiama participated in the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival held in China as the sole representative of Ghanaian youths, during which he visited different Chinese cities and projects for the first time and shared his thoughts on China-Africa cooperation with other representatives. "It was one of the best experiences I've had in my life as an individual. I was quite impressed with everything that I saw in China, and how things have been put in place in China," he said, praising the country for its hospitality, amicable environment, and vibrant economy. Asiama said he is struck by the splendor of the Great Wall and Mount Taishan, and the scene of tourists at home and abroad now flocking to those well-known tourist attractions, mirroring a boom in China's tourism industry. According to him, the recovery of the tourism sector bodes well for China's economy as it could fuel growth in many other sectors such as catering, hospitality and transportation. "I must commend China for this; it is obviously still one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Things are back on track, and they're moving with a very high speed to make sure that things get to the very normal level," Asiama said. Describing China's high-speed train as top-notch, Asiama said he was amazed at how Chinese people have leveraged their wisdom and creativity to solve residents' travel problems in the process of urbanization, which also offered a valuable experience to Africa, a continent with huge numbers of people facing various challenges in transportation. "If you look at the quality of roads being constructed (by Chinese) in most of these African countries, there is no difference from what we see in China," he said, stressing that this trip bolstered his idea that Chinese-built projects always deliver one of the best qualities under the Belt and Road initiative. As a crop science major, Asiama has always been itching to study China's agricultural technology and how it is being applied to feed a country with a population of 1.4 billion. Finally, the trip allowed him to take a closer look at China's agricultural development. "China has the machinery, technology, and equipment to be able to cultivate arable crops, vegetables, or fruits in large quantities or on a large scale production," Asiama said, noting that China's advancement in agriculture could benefit African countries like Ghana, which urgently needs to revamp its traditional farming. "We have the rainy season and the dry season here in Ghana. So once we are out of the rainy season, how could we be able to irrigate our lands? It will need a huge irrigation system and technology to be able to cultivate (the crops)," he said. Asiama voiced his hope that more agricultural cooperation could be achieved between the two countries to enable more low-income Ghanaian farmers to benefit from the boom in modern technology. Asiama said the trip also reinforced his idea of being a narrator of Chinese stories in Africa. "I think that the best thing is to talk about it. The more we talk about it, the more people get to know about China." Source: Xinhua

BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) have just concluded a key trade and commerce expo in Ningbo, east China, unleashing new potential for practical cooperation and deeper ties. This year marks the beginning of the second decade of China-CEEC cooperation. Since 2012, China's trade with CEECs has grown at an average annual rate of 8.1 percent, and China's imports from CEECs have increased at an average rate of 9.2 percent annually. In the first quarter of this year, two-way trade totaled 33.3 billion U.S. dollars, up 1.6 percent yearly. Eleven years on, bilateral cooperation has progressed, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has boosted trade, revived growth and sparked new possibilities across the region and beyond through increased connectivity and cooperation. PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY Commuters, merchants and tourists have been inconvenienced during the border crossing from Bosnia and Herzegovina to south Croatia for decades. A bridge inaugurated in 2022 has made those exhausting trips a thing of the past. A significant BRI and infrastructure project for Croatia, the Peljesac Bridge connects the Croatian mainland with the Peljesac Peninsula of its southernmost Dubrovnik-Neretva County, bypassing a short strip of land belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina and giving Croatia better access to the area. It also represents a new landmark to further brighten the prospect of China-Croatia and China-Europe relations and cooperation. Now it takes a breezy three-minute drive to cross the strait for Dubrovnik, a medieval city known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic." What connectivity brings goes beyond tourism. A smoother trade flow means generating thousands of local jobs, something felt by individuals, business people and entrepreneurs. So far, more than 1.5 million vehicles have used the new bridge, Davor Peric, project manager at Croatian Roads, told Xinhua. "So the basic idea for the bridge, which was obviously long-waited from the local people and the Croatian people altogether, was to connect the territory." "The Peljesac region, the southern part region that has been disconnected for a long time, has also grown because of the bridge. Economic activity has been increasing recently, and we believe that part of Croatia will definitely develop much faster now that they have completely new roads and the bridge," Peric added. In Hungary, another flagship BRI project, the Hungarian-Serbian railway connecting the Hungarian capital Budapest and Serbian capital Belgrade, is progressing smoothly. Hungary signed a Belt and Road cooperation document with China in 2015, becoming the first European country to ink such a deal. Erno Peto, president of the Hungarian-Chinese Chamber of Economy, said that "over the past 10 years, Hungary has become a regional center for finance, tourism and logistics in Central and Eastern Europe of China thanks to the BRI." Levente Horvath, director of the Eurasia Center of the John von Neumann University in Hungary, said he looks forward to the completion of this project so that Hungarians can benefit from it. Across Serbia, Chinese investments have created thousands of jobs in sectors such as automobile parts, mining, steel, furniture and others, according to the Development Agency of Serbia. The Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest high-speed railway launched a year ago "marked a significant turning point in the further development of our Serbia," said Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic. In Greece, over 13 years of cooperation between China's COSCO Shipping and Greece's largest port Piraeus has proven to be an exemplary case of joint development. Antonis Apergis, superintendent of the engineering department of Piraeus Container Terminal S.A., said that because of the project, new jobs were created, boosting employment in the surrounding area. "The company has helped the wider region a lot, because if we recall it started in a very difficult period for Greece that we experienced." "SKY IS THE LIMIT" "The customer base here in China is huge. I see people are hungry to get the information about high-end, nutritious food, so I see market potential here," Petr Kovanik, owner of a Prague-based chocolate company, told Xinhua at a newly-built venue of the just-concluded China-CEEC expo. Like Kovanik, many manufacturers, distributors and business insiders are bullish on China's growing sales and investment opportunities, made possible through upgraded logistics under the BRI framework. "What impressed me most is the ever faster labeling process for imported wines and ever faster shipments of products due to the excellent logistics environment in China," Liakos Constantinos, co-founder of Hellenic Agora Trading Ltd., a Greek wine importer and distributor in China, told Xinhua. "I am very upbeat about the Chinese market. Alcohol consumption is closely related to economic prosperity. As the Chinese economy continues to grow, so will our business," Constantinos said. "Our sales in China grew steadily, and export channels expanded despite the pandemic," said Slovakian wine exporter Peter Lisicky, adding that he sees great market potential in China and expects a larger consumer base, probably in central China. Previously, wine transport to Chinese port cities relied on sea freight. However, with the development of the BRI and railways, numerous wine traders are considering expanding their business to other regions within China. "Bosnia and Herzegovina has broad prospects for cooperation with China and other CEECs in energy, infrastructure, green economic transformation and clean energy. We envision more cooperation projects in the future," said Zdravko Marinkovic, president of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to Yu Yuantang, a Chinese Ministry of Commerce official, China and the CEECs play a crucial role in the global industrial and supply chains as key partners in the BRI. They exhibit high economic complementarity, smooth connectivity, and dynamic two-way investments. Zahari Zahariev, chairman of Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road, underscored the "enormous opportunities" in renewable energy cooperation with China, a leader in the area of photovoltaics, believing that there is potential for further cooperation with China in public goods projects, such as waste disposal, transport and medical care. Peto, president of the Hungarian-Chinese Chamber of Economy, said China's intention to increase imports from CEECs is critical under the current global economic landscape. Peto said the CEECs are fully aware that the benefits of the BRI will not be handed to them on a silver platter and that they must work together actively to achieve prosperity. Source: Xinhua

By Adnan Akfirat,Chairman of the Turkish-Chinese Business Development and Friendship Association Can there be a port at the farthest distance from the sea? I went to the Horgos Free Economic Zone, known as the world's largest dry port, which is crossed by both road and rail and will soon have air service. I have seen it, I am writing about it! AT THE INACCESSIBILITY POLE OF EURASIA The Horgos Free Trade Economic (FEZ), a joint creation of both countries on the China-Kazakhstan border, lies at the foot of what is known as the Eurasian Pole of Inaccessibility. The Pole of Inaccessibility is a geographical term. It refers to the geographical region on a continent farthest from the seas. This is the ingenuity of the Asian Century: Eurasia's Pole of Inaccessibility is now the crossroads of transcontinental transportation and manufacturing. Horgos FEZ, in the north of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on the China-Kazakhstan border, is at the very heart of Asia. And it serves as the heart of trade not only to Asia but also to three continents, including Europe and Africa. Asia and Europe's products pass Horgos by road and rail to reach their destinations. Products arriving by sea are also transported by land and rail to the ends of Asia via Horgos. Cargo containers that arrive at Horgos FEZ in 5 days by rail from the port city of Lianyungang in eastern China can reach the city of Duisburg in northwestern Germany in 10 days. This connection route, which is 3 times faster than sea transportation and half the cost of air transportation, offers an alternative to investors in terms of time and cost. Goods purchased from Horgos FEZ can be freely shipped to CIS countries without any additional customs inspection or tax. HERODOTUS' LEGEND COMES TRUE! Horgos is a historical gateway. It has long been called the Dzungarian Gate (or Altai Pass). It is the only pass through the 4,800-kilometer mountain wall stretching from Manchuria to Afghanistan. It is a convenient natural gateway for riders on horseback between the western Eurasian steppes and the lands further east. It has also been noted for its fierce and almost constant winds. In his "Histories", Herodotus quotes travelers' reports of a country in the northeast where men with the bodies of lions and the wings of eagles guarded the gold and the North Wind came out of a mountain cave. Hyperborea, a term meaning beyond the point where Boreas, the god of the North Wind, breathed his breath, is the name of a mythical land in Greek Mythology beyond the North Wind, where the sun never fails to shine, the trees are always full of fruit and the meadows are always green. Some scholars argue that there is a connection between the Dzungarian Gate and the home of Boreas, the creator of the North Wind in Greek mythology. Because this gate is at the foot of the Altai Mountains, named after the Golden Mountain. Horgos have replaced the house of Boreas! BREAKING NEW GROUND IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION The Horgos FEZ is intended to be a game-changing catalyst for international cooperation and trade. Officially called the International Center for Border Cooperation (ICBC), the five-square-kilometer Free Economic Zone is located in the middle of the Saryesik-Atyrau desert, 670 kilometers west of Urumqi and 380 kilometers east of Almaty. Horgos, in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, means "the place where camel caravans pass" in Mongolian and "the place where wealth accumulates" in Kazakh. The new city of Horgos on the Chinese side, the size of New York City, is like an oasis in the desert. On the Kazakh side, the developing Horgos-East Gate Special Economic Zone is recovering rapidly after the pandemic. Many of the China-Europe rail lines pass through here. Horgos is also the crossroads of the Western Europe-Western China Highway from the Yellow Sea to the Baltic. It is a successful implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive economic cooperation-trade network of interconnected land and sea ports, special economic zones, new cities, and free trade zones in which 134 countries in Eurasia, Africa, and South America are actively participating. Horgos is positioned as a gateway for international trade linking east and west and a bridgehead for the opening of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to the west. It is the world's first cross-border international free economic zone and China's first special economic zone "inside the country but outside the jurisdiction of customs". Moreover, with the facilities provided by the Chinese central government and the strong interest of the Uyghur Autonomous Region, the Horgos Local Government offers very attractive investment incentives for setting up manufacturing facilities. The incentives offered by both China and Kazakhstan for Horgos FEZ to become a production base deserve the attention of investors. THE BRIGHT ROAD OF KAZAKHSTAN When it first opened in December 2011, the Khorgos FEZ was heralded as a cornerstone of China-Kazakhstan bilateral relations and a prime example of Kazakhstan's broader "Nurlu Yol" plan to diversify its economy beyond energy exports. Presented in promotional materials as "a huge new city of the future where two civilizations intersect," Horgos FEZ is envisioned as a multicultural economic crossroads where Central Asian Turks, Russians, and Chinese can come together to buy each other's goods, eat each other's cuisine and consume each other's entertainment and culture. A new city is being built on the Kazakhstan side of the Horgos FEZ. Nurkent is expected to be home to 100,000 people. The first zone is 90% complete. It was announced that the entire development and construction of Nurkent City Phase One will be completed in September 2023. It is planned to be fully completed by 2035. Nurkent is seen as a vehicle to help resettle workers at the Khorgos-East Gate, the largest transportation and logistics hub in the Belt and Road Initiative. These workers will be retrained as a permanent source of labor for the Horgos FEZ, which is already a major trade hub between Kazakhstan and China and is developing into a favored manufacturing zone. HUGE WORK IN LESS TIME The Chinese side of Horgos consists of five giant four-story wholesale markets. They are located side by side in blocks, with wide sidewalks and roads between them. No personal vehicles are allowed within the area, and public golf carts and vans transport customers from the shopping complex to the shopping complex. New wholesale markets continue to be added, while unfinished construction projects take up much of the land. Like Chinese wholesale markets, the inside of the malls is made up of hundreds of small shops and booths rented by individual vendors. Most of the buildings, floors, and corridors are organized by product type. Vendors call out to you as you walk through aisles filled with huge waist-high piles of goods. But it is important to remember that this is not just a new free trade zone, but an entirely new economy being created. ICBC is just one part of a multi-pronged development initiative to build an entirely new trade, manufacturing, and logistics zone where none existed before. The adjacent Horgos special economic zone is estimated to attract 30,000 workers and their families, while the city of Horgos is being built for 200,000 people. Such large-scale development anywhere takes decades, not just years. China did it in 10 years. TUCEM OPENS TURKISH BRANDS TO CHINA FROM HORGOS At the invitation of Mr. Ma Fuming, President of Horgos International Chamber of Commerce, we as the Turkish-Chinese Business Matching Center delegation Mr, Serdar Kulu, Director of TUCEM Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and I spent four full days in Horgos between April 26-30. Mr. Rutkay Çakırkaya, the owner of Balizza, one of Turkey's leading women's clothing brands, joined us coming from through Kazakhstan. We were received by Mr. Hao Jianmin, the CCP Secretary of Horgos. The Uyghur, Kazakh, Hui, and Han officials of the Horgos Local Government mobilized with sincere interest to provide the best service. Here is our good news: On August 12-14, we are organizing a special exhibition and fashion show with Turkish clothing brands in Horgos International Free Economic Zone. Hao Jianmin, Secretary of Horgos CPC, has committed to bringing a delegation of 1000 buyers, including all major garment buyers from the eastern region of China. Turkey is organizing the first international event of Horgos FEZ in a magnificent venue built in the shape of a Chinese Palace. We will continue to report good news from Horgos!

I have been in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, for a week. It snowed two days long, but now spring is in full bloom. It is invigorating with a blue sky that is rarely seen in Shanghai and fresh clean air. During the holy month of Ramadan, we are in a society that fulfills the obligations of Islam. There is peace and respect for faith. I will follow the proverb attributed to the great traveler, scholar, and linguist Evliya Çelebi (1): “Keep what you eat and drink and tell what you see”. The biggest economicdevelopment in progress According to the 2023 Program of the Government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the Region will achieve the fastest economic development in its history in the next five years. The government program, presented by Autonomous Region Chairman Erkin Tuniyaz at the opening session of the 14th People's Assembly of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region on January 16, 2023, makes this claim. Erkin Tuniyaz stated that the plan is to exceed China’s national average in all economic indicators over the next five years and announced a GDP growth target of 7 percent for 2023. The link to grasp: opening up! In politics, there is a concept called the “ring to grasp”. It is used to refer to the step that, how you tackle and solve a set of problems that come your way, this paves the way for the solution of other problems. In the Uyghur Autonomous Region's “economic boom”, opening up to the outside world has been identified as the “Ring to Grasp”. Xinjiang CPC Secretary Ma Xingrui's experience as the governor of Shenzhen city and Guangdong province played a major role in this change. Prof. Ma Xingrui, one of China’s renowned rocket scientists, was elected to the Political Bureau of the Central Committee at the 20th Congress of the CPC. He is currently ranked 8th in the CPC hierarchy. Ma Xingrui, who became the Party secretary of the Uyghur Autonomous Region in December 2021 with the great support of the Xi Jinping administration, brought a breath of fresh air to Xinjiang, which we covered in our article titled “More Socialism, Happier Uyghurs” dated June 10, 2022, at Aydinlik Daily in Turkish. Ma Xingrui is prioritizing a high level of opening up to make Xinjiang a core region of the “Silk Road Economic Belt”, one of the two main pillars of the Belt and Road Initiative. Neighboring 8 countries, the region is making an intensive effort to mobilize the opportunities of its geographical location. Erkin Tuniyaz announced the full resumption of all services at the Uyghur Autonomous Region's 13 land ports at the beginning of the year. In an interview with CGTN, Kaiser Abdulkerim, Vice President of the Autonomous Region, explains how they will achieve 7 percent growth: “We will vigorously promote the economic vitality of various market actors; we will create an efficient and good business environment for state-owned enterprises to be bold, private enterprises to be daring, and foreign enterprises to be eager to invest. In the future, we will promote the modernization of agriculture, and support the stable production and quality improvement of the cotton industry. We are very excited to welcome visitors from all over the world. This is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society and a place where different civilizations live together. In the coming days, we will utilize these advantages to launch the ‘Xinjiang Tourism Development’ initiative.” Ma Xingrui's first trip abroad On Monday, March 27, Ma Xingrui led a large Sichuan government delegation on an official visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Ma Xingrui is said to have assumed central responsibility for China's opening to the West. CPC secretaries of provinces and autonomous regions rarely travel abroad. Ma Xingrui was received at the highest level in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. In Astana, he met with President Kassym Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, and in Tashkent with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and in Bishkek with KyrgyzPresident Sadyr Japarov. President Tokayev said Kazakhstan wants to deepen cooperation with China on the basis of strategic partnership and eternal friendship. “We are ready to work with our Chinese colleagues to increase trade volume to $35 billion by 2030,” Prime Minister Smailov said. Smailov and Ma also discussed measures to eliminate bottlenecks at the border. Green corridors have already been opened at two of the five checkpoints. Ismailov also raised the issue of speeding up visa processing for Kazakh trucks entering China. Ma Xingrui said, “As a region of China, we are responsible for the country’s ties with the West. We see Kazakhstan as a top priority area of cooperation. In general, China’s cooperation with Kazakhstan is carried out through Xinjiang.” On November 29, during his visit to Uzbekistan, it was announced that they discussed the implementation of joint projects in the field of renewable energy, the development of transport infrastructure, the creation of industrial parks and agricultural clusters in Uzbekistan with the participation of leading Chinese companies. Mutual interest in accelerating the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China railway construction project was emphasized. President Mirziyoyev's office said in a statement: “It is with deep satisfaction that we note the fruitful results of the historic summit held in Samarkand in September last year, which marked the beginning of a new era in Uzbek-Chinese comprehensive strategic partnership relations.” It said. Ma Xingrui said the purpose of his visit was “to build a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the north and south of the Tienshan and to enable Xinjiang to contribute to writing a new page of friendship between China and Uzbekistan.” KyrgyzPresident Sadyr Japarov, touching upon China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction projectnoted that itwould contribute tothe deepening oftrade and economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and XUAR, and would also have amultiplicative effect onthe development ofother sectors ofthe economy. Inparticular, the parties signed memorandums ofintent toexport electricity toChina and build a500-kilovolt power transmission line Kyrgyzstan-China and small hydropower plants in Bishkek. Xinjiang really opens to the west with Türkiye The biggest longing of Uyghurs living in the region is access to Turkish goods. The demand for closer economic cooperation with Türkiye has also been the aspiration of the Autonomous Region's administration, which has made “opening up Xinjiang to the west” a top priority. During our meeting in Urumqi on July 5 last year, Ma Xingrui expressed this desire very strongly and invited us to play a role in developing relations with Türkiye. Indeed, on Tuesday, March 28, we met with a large government delegation led by Xing Tao, the head of the Trade Administration of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Xinjiang officials responded positively to all of our requests, reflecting the will of Ma Xingrui. As TUCEM Turkish-Chinese Business Matching Center, we will organize a special fair and fashion show with the participation of 50 Turkish and European clothing brands in the Khorgos International Free Zone, which is located on the China-Kazakhstan border and has the title of “the world’s largest land port” on July 5-9. The Khorgos International Chamber of Commerce hosts this event. The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Ma Fuming, is a Hui Muslim. We negotiated and signed the agreement for the Special Fair and Fashion Show during two iftar meals in our honor. Again, we undertook the Turkish representation of the “Eurasia Commodity and Trade Fair” and “The Tienshan International Shopping Festival” to be held on August 17-21. We will organize the Turkish fashion show in Urumqi as well, and we will create a wind of modern clothing and lifestyle. In addition, we will serve Türkiye’s leading food, cosmetics, and daily use items to reach 1 billion 400 million Chinese consumers through the Xinjiang market. The Deputy Secretary of the China-Eurasia Expo is an Uyghur: Ms. Mihrigul Tursun. We also have good news: We have started working to transform a 60 thousand square meter shopping center in Urumqi into an “imported products duty-free sales center”. Xinjiang government invites Turkish merchants and investors There have been no terrorist incidents in the region for the last 6 years. Relations between ethnic groups in the region are being repaired. Uyghur villagers are being taught Chinese, while Han-based administrators are learning Uyghur. Uighurs have been liberated and relieved from the oppression and terror of religious bigotry in previous years. The impact of Ma Xingru's top priority, “establishing a rule by law”, is felt by ordinary people. An extraordinary effort is being made to “make sure that what happens in Shanghai, what happens in Beijing, happens in Xinjiang”. Xing Tao, head of the Xinjiang Commerce Administration, said, “We invite Turkish merchants and investors to the Uyghur Autonomous Region. We will give them incentives as long as they develop the economy,” he emphasized. Turkish business people are smart and entrepreneurial. They will not leave this strong call from the heart of Asia unanswered. Those who want to earn money will do business in the Uyghur Region. Adnan Akfirat is a Representative to China and Member of International Relations Bureau of Patriotic Party of Turkey; Chairman of Turkish-Chinese Business Development and Friendship Association (Turk-Cin Is Der); visitor researcher of Shanghai University Turkish Studies Center and Shihezi University Silk Road Research Center. Mr. Akfirat has been living in Shanghai since 2011. Source:unitedworldint.com

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sughd province and the Executive Office of Sughd Provinces of the Republic of Tajikistan in cooperation with development partners are conducting the traditional IX-International Trade Fair "Sughd-2023" in Khujand, Sughd province on 22-24 June 2023. The key objective of the Trade Fair is to strengthen long-term trade and partnership links between the business community of Tajikistan with trade companies, potential consumers, investors and businesses from abroad through establishing a platform aimed at demonstrating the potential and possibilities of Sughd province along with the best practices of other countries. Based on the results of the Ⅷ-International Trade Fair "Sughd-2022", which was held in June 2022, it can be noted that this event has already become recognizable among the business circles of the republic and abroad. The exhibition presented products of more than 200 companies from different regions of the Republic of Tajikistan and was attended by entrepreneurs from near and far abroad interested in expanding trade relations. As a result of the Sughd-2022 exhibition held in Khujand, more than 60 contracts, memorandums and agreements were signed. The upcoming IX-International Trade Fair "Sughd-2023" provides new opportunities for expanding and implementing your business through the exchange of professional experience and the presentation of modern and investment projects. In general, the Sughd-2023 International Trade Fair promises to become a place where, in a businesslike and comfortable atmosphere, it will be possible to discuss the terms of cooperation, conclude profitable contracts and meet with potential partners and suppliers. Given the above, it is a great honor for us to invite you and the business community of your region to take part in the IX - International Trade Fair "Sughd-2023". Contact:Ganjina Bakhtiyorovna Tel: (+992) 92754 2421 E-mail: info@tpp-sugd.tj; tpp-tj@bk.ru

Editor's note:Daryl Guppy is an international financial technical analysis expert.He has provided weekly Shanghai Index analysis for Chinese mainland media for more than a decade. Guppy appears regularly on CNBC Asia and is known as "The Chart Man." He is a national board member of the Australia China Business Council, SRCIC member organization. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. Hard infrastructure sits at the core of what many people believe about China's economy, so Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent observation that "infrastructure serves as a pillar for economic and social development" confirms their belief. A hard infrastructure build will play a role in economic development, but even more important is the soft infrastructure build. A combination of internal and external factors is at play in pushing these infrastructure efforts into the spotlight. President Xi tied some of the infrastructure focus to the idea of security. Many Western analysts were quick to link this to military security rather than economic and environmental security. In particular, Xi mentioned improving the planning of waterways, the building of coastal and inland ports, and the upgrading of water transport facilities nationwide. He included developing a smart grid along with a series of new green, low-carbon energy bases and fine-tuning the oil and gas pipeline network. These are all related to non-military security and improve the country's capability to cope with extreme situations such as those caused by climate change which is a major challenge to economic security. Mitigating the impacts of floods, typhoons, droughts and protecting arable land are the new security frontiers. Common prosperity and economic security are the foundation of all national security. It's the idea of sovereign independence that cannot be threatened by sanctions, disruption to trade settlement, or interruption to trade routes. Unhackable soft infrastructure is the foundation of the digital economy. Some commentators see this call for infrastructure as a move to save China's economy. These are the same people who have been forecasting the collapse of the Chinese economy for the past 20 years. They fail to see that China has a coordinated approach to breaking through the middle-income trap by developing the digital economy and continuing to improve the physical infrastructure and thus economic benefits are more widely spread. Domestically, the "dual circulation" strategy is designed, which takes domestic development as the mainstay, with domestic and international development reinforcing each other. Sovereign independence of supply chains is a lesson from COVID-19. The infrastructure required to build a digital and clean economy helps to break free of the middle-income trap. The essential objective of "dual circulation" is to develop a robust economy, less reliant on external factors. An escape from the middle-income trap rests on improved productivity and new economic processes. This is a digital economy and soft infrastructure is required to make it work. Innovation is emphasized because new tech underpins the digital economy. Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, transformed Western production and economies with his assembly line. It was a new way of using existing resources. New tech is the foundation of the digital economy and China is way ahead in this development than Western economies. Consider a Huawei cell phone. Remove the apps and the phone is just a way to talk to people. The real value of the phone is the software infrastructure that enables WeChat, TikTok, Alipay and others. Their functionality rests on innovation and the soft infrastructure of the digital economy. Externally, the U.S. use of financial market sanctions highlights the need to move away from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) system to ensure sovereign independence in trade settlement. This desire for financial independence suggests that rather than using taxpayers' money this time, China will try to implement new financing methods for infrastructure expansion. Unlike the U.S., China draws on reserves rather than borrowing, but this may change in the future through increased bond issues. These objectives are consistent with recent policy and regulatory announcements designed to attract international capital. This may see greater use of China debt instruments similar to U.S. treasuries. These are infrastructure and project bond issues for domestic and international fund managers. In the longer term, this may lead to the expansion of Chinese capital markets as participants see them as a store of wealth and a finance source rather than an opportunity for short-term capital gain. Essential soft infrastructure development includes improved security of trade settlement, the growth of the digital economy using quantum computing and reduction of business inefficiency. This includes soft infrastructure like the real-time balancing of power grid demands using quantum computing, and optical messaging from satellites. The keywords in Xi's observation are that infrastructure serves as "a pillar for economic and social development." Developing the infrastructure to support and expand common prosperity is the essential foundation of security for any country. Source: CGTN

On the afternoon of April 28, 2022, an international investment promotion Seminar was held by the Chongqing Committee of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the government of Jiangbei District. Themed with Investing in Jiangbei to Gain a Win-Win Future, the seminar engaged representatives from 36 organizations, including related government authorities, business associations and investment companies from 12 countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, etc. Cheng Yao, vice chair of CCPIT Chongqing Committee, and He Yong, member of the Standing Committee of Chongqing Jiangbei District Party Committee and deputy chief of Chongqing Jiangbei District, attended the event and delivered a speech. Vice Chair Cheng Yao delivers a speech SRCIC members including Said Sharif, president of Tajikistan Silk Road International Economic Union and former chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tajikistan, as well as David Saganelidze, chairman of JSC Partnership Fund and chairman of the Georgia-China Intergovernmental Trade and Economy Commission, were invited to address the seminar via video. Said Sharif addresses the seminar Said Sharif said that as an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Silk Road has linked Tajikistan and China and their peoples closely. It has not only served as a vital economic artery, but also a road for friendship and consensus. Tajikistan has created a good business environment and a sound legal system to better protect the interests of investors. At present, dozens of Chinese companies operate in Tajikistan. Tajikistan is always ready to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation with China to embrace development and future together. David Saganelidze gives a speech Source: Chongqing Daily, the official website of CCPIT Chongqing Committee, the official WeChat account of Huahe International

On February 22, 2022, The Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce (PSRICC) and the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines jointly held an online forum themed "A Memorable Winter Olympic". The participants reviewed the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and shared their personal experiences during the Games. Speaking highly of the grand event, all participants looked forward to a brighter future of China-Philippines cooperation. The forum started with a welcoming speech from PSRICC Francis Chairman Chua, who is also Vice Chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC). Huang Xilian, Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, delivered a keynote speech. The forum also welcomed speeches from Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Philippine Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, SRCIC Chairman Lu Jianzhong, and Valeriano Floro, Chief of Mission of the Philippine Winter Olympics Delegation and Deputy Secretary General of the Philippine Olympic Committee. More than 200 Chinese and Philippine guests from political, business and media circles attended the forum online. Ambassador Huang Xilian said that after 14 years the Olympic flame was lit again in Beijing, making it the first city in the world to hold both Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Committed to a green, inclusive, open and clean approach, Beijing made every effort to overcome the COVID-19 impact and honored its commitment by delivering a simple, safe and splendid Olympic Games to the whole world, fully demonstrating the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together". Ambassador Huang stressed that "Together for a Shared Future" is the common voice of the international community. Only by carrying forward and drawing strength from the Olympic spirit of tenacity, unity and friendship, understanding and tolerance, transcending politics and differences, can all countries meet the common challenges . "Together for a Shared Future" is also the common aspiration of both the Chinese and Philippine people. We hope that with the spirit of strength and courage of the Year of the Tiger, the two countries can continue our friendship solidified during the Winter Olympics and extend and carry forward the Olympic spirit. By working "Together for a Shared Future", we can maintain the development momentum of the partnership between the two countries in the new era, and make more fruitful achievements out of our friendship that lasts a millennium. Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said the Olympic Games is "a unique opportunity for countries to bring together athletes from all over the world in friendly competition." He deemed the Games a glorious moment for the host country and its people to show the world its splendid history, and also “a symbol of hope” to the whole world in this third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Locsin extended his salute to all the athletes that participated and his thanks to China and the Beijing 2022 organizing committee. “I am particularly proud of Miller (Alpine skier Asa Miller), who represented the Philippines,” he added. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is now tagged as the most-watched Winter Olympics ever. "We salute China for their successful hosting, overcoming many obstacles from the pandemic, and for promoting winter sports among tropical countries like us," Lopez said. He also pointed out that the Games "is a fitting celebration of sportsmanship, kinship, and solidarity as we collectively recover from the pandemic and open a new chapter in the new normality." The Philippine Minister of Tourism Bernadette Romulo Puyat said that the true Olympic spirit of promoting understanding, unity and friendship among countries was further amplified in the motto of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games - "Together for a Shared Future". It is this spirit and a sense of belonging to the international community that unite all countries. Chairman Lu Jianzhong said that the world is undergoing dramatic changes in the new century. The far-reaching impact of COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges to global economic recovery. He said, “But I am confident that the solidarity, cooperation and hope demonstrated by the Beijing Winter Olympics, as well as the passion, joy and friendship brought by winter sports, will give us greater confidence and strong momentum to defeat pandemic and promote global economic recovery. SRCIC is willing to join hands with business communities of all countries. Upholding the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together" , we strive to build a platform for dialogue to advance international economic cooperation, mutual learning and exchanges among civilizations and peoples. We hope to make our contribution to high-quality construction of Belt and Road Initiative and to building a community with a shared future for mankind.” Chairman Francis Chua stated that the Beijing Winter Olympics was one of the major international sporting events held during the COVID-19 pandemic. He extended his congratulations to Beijing, Chinaon becoming the first city in the world to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, and on the remarkable contribution made China and the Chinese people. He also recalled on the outbreak of COVID-19, which China provided the Philippines with vaccine assistance, medical equipment and medical teams, expressing that Sino-Philippine relationship will enjoy an even brighter future. Romana, Philippine ambassador to China, congratulated China for delivering a simple, safe and wonderful Winter Olympics to the world as promised. “The Philippines is very proud to be one of the few tropical countries to participate in the event. It is hoped that this forum will become a new starting point for Sino-Philippine friendship dialogue, and that cultural exchanges will continue through sports and other forms.” he said. Mr. Valeriano Floro, Chairman of the Philippine delegation, said that he felt the strict and strong anti-epidemic measures throughout the Beijing Winter Olympics as soon as he stepped off the plane that fully ensured the safety of all participants. The opening ceremony was amazing, the training facilities were well-maintained, the Olympic Village was well administrated, and the Chinese volunteers were warm and friendly. “This is truly an unforgettable experience for us”, he emphasized. On behalf of the Philippine Olympic Committee, he also congratulated China on its successful hosting of the Winter Olympic Games and thanked the host country and its people for their hospitality. The forum was broadcast live on several platforms, includingCHINOY TV, and featured promotional videos and highlights of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Source: Official website ofthe Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce(PSRICC)