BRI Supports Sustainable Development

RECENTLY,media commentary emerging from European countries suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a sharp reduction of Chinese investment in economies participat-ing in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Some people continue to express concern over a per-ceived debt issue,while others have sought to highlight that coal-fired power plants are being built under the BRI framework. To be sure,there are others who have taken cogni-zance of the new economic development opportunities that the BRI would present now as well as in the future,once the dust of the pandemic settles. A dispassionate overview of the topic,therefore,would be necessary to gain a proper perspective.     

Chinese Proposal,Global Echoes

The development philosophy of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), one of President Xi Jinping's signature projects, has reverberated across the international community following its splendid achievements benefiting people across its participating countries. Over the past eight years, regions across China have opened wider to the world through the initiative, and win-win cooperation has been achieved between China and participating countries, Xi said at a symposium on the initiative on November 19.     

The Goal Is to Join the Belt and Road—— Interview with Luis Diego Monsalve,Colombian Ambassador to China

ON April 12,a new batch of 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese phar-maceutical company Sinovac arrived in Bogotá,the capital city of Colombia.On March 20,fol-lowing the arrival of a prior batch of vaccines,Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the Colombian people in a video message,which is taken as a special gesture.In a conversation with China Today,Colombian Ambassador to China Luis Diego Monsalve reflected upon this ges-ture,and also emphasized Colombia's objective to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).He expects that Presi-dent Iván Duque will be able to visit China in November.     

Building Synergy

The novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)pandemic has dealt a devastating blow to the world order but it also reminds nations to explore new ways of survival and development.     

A Misguided Focus On China

正On the surface, Joe Biden emerged as successful in securing consensus in both the Group of Seven(G7)and NATO on labeling China as a "systemic challenge" during his first tour of Europe.However, hiding beneath such "achievements," the U.S. alienated itself from the majority of countries still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.     

A Fair for Globalization

The Fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE) took place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, in online-offline hy-brid format. This is an important event for the international community to boost global economic and trade growth in a context of fatigued international trade dur-ing the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the expo denotes China's determination in the quest for global economic growth as the country resumes energetic recov-ery. Nearly 3,000 businesses from 127 countries and regions attended the physi-cal trade fair, with 58 countries and three international organizations joining the online exhibition. The numbers of both participating countries and businesses ex-ceeded those of a year ago.     

Containment Through A Cultural Lens

正While many countries around the world have struggled to contain and overcome COVID-19, often relying on the vaccines to come to their aid like magic bullets, several have demonstrated certain special, more befitting capacities for taking on the challenge and moving forward.In China, one such example, the interplay of governance capacity and cultural roots has proved conducive to fighting the pandemic and played a decisive role in its success.     

Dialogue,a Common Aspiration

Despite disruptions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries has continued at an accelerated pace, former Chilean President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle said at the Fourth Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and Latin America and the Caribbean on October 22. He was echoed by Ma Peihua, former Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, who stressed that in a complex and volatile world, it is never a sustainable solution for countries to detach themselves from the interna-tional community. Developing countries, including China and LAC nations, need to work together, support one another, and conduct cooperation and exchanges.     

王毅国务委员在2021年度“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛咨询委员会会议上的致辞

2021年12月17日各位委员,朋友们:大家晚上好。很高兴同各位新老朋友见而。首先,我谨对“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛咨询委员会2021年度会议的召开,表示热烈祝贺!今年是习近平主席提出“一带一路”倡议8周年。不久前,习近平主席亲自出席第三次“一带一路”建设座谈会并发表重要讲话,高度评价了过去8年来共建“一带一路”取得的丰硕成果,并就继续推动共建“一带一路”高质量发展提出了明确要求。     

Back to Expansion

China’s economy rebounds despite headwinds triggered by COVID-19 Recovering from the contraction caused by the novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)epidemic,China’s economy saw a better-than-expected performance in 2020.The GDP expanded 2.3 percent year on year to101.59 trillion yuan($15.6 trillion),exceeding the100-trillion-yuan($15.42 trillion)mark for the first time.The per-capita GDP exceeded$10,000for two consecutive years,narrowing the gap with high-income countries,data from the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS)showed.     

新冠疫情背景下中国的公共卫生外交:成就、困难与进一步推进的路径

新冠疫情治理需要国际社会加强合作,公共卫生外交是促进各国进行公共卫生合作、建立疫情全球防线的关键举措。通过开展公共卫生外交,一方面,中国争取了世界卫生组织和国际社会的支持和帮助,满足了中国抗击国内新冠疫情形势的需要;另一方面,中国凭借丰硕的抗疫成果在全球树立了典范,通过对国际社会进行疫情通报、经验沟通、技术合作和医疗援助,推动了人类卫生健康共同体理念的传播,守护了全球疫情防线。同时也应注意到,国家层面公共卫生安全战略的不完善、一些西方国家的大国博弈旧思维,以及各国公共卫生治理理念与能力的差异等问题对中国当前的公共卫生外交提出了挑战。对此,中国应尽快完善国家公共卫生安全战略,秉承人类卫生健康共同体理念,大力推进全球公共卫生外交并积极贡献卫生公共产品,以巩固新冠疫情防控的全球战线。     

RISK ASSESSMENT

The world economy has to be on the lookout for potential risks in the post-COVID-19 era Although COVID-19 plunged the global economy into the worst recession since World War II,clear signs of recovery have emerged.China began leading the way by pocketing positive growth in 2020 after bringing the epidemic under control.The U.S.and European countries initiated a bid for economic rebound via aggressive stimulus measures.     

Addressing Common Concerns Through Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward a Global Development Initiative when addressing the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly via video link on September 21. The initiative is to promote global economic recovery, as well as more balanced, greener and inclusive development, and to expedite the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The initiative calls for fostering global development partnerships, with priority given to cooperation on poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response and vaccines, development financing, and climate change, among other areas. This initiative is particularly significant for BRICS countries, as their ability to take the lead in executing it can contribute a lot to driving the full-fledged development of their respective regions. Meanwhile, the newly proposed points echo the major concerns of BRICS countries.     

多国政党反对以人权为借口干涉他国内政

中共中央对外联络部和中共新疆维吾尔自治区委员会22日在乌鲁木齐市共同举办“中国共产党的故事”新疆专题宣介会。会议召开之际,80多个国家的190多个政党或组织,包括来自伊斯兰国家的100多个政党或组织,共310多名政党政要和知名人士,围绕“为了人民的美好生活”这一主题,进行了深入交流沟通并达成广泛共识。各方一致认为,为了最广大民众过上更加美好的生活,是各国政党的共同目标和责任。各国政党应以增进人民福祉为使命,努力提升民众的获得感、幸福感、安全感。     

China＇s Enterprises Encouraged to Invest Abroad

ON July 19, 2004, the Chinese Ministryof Commerce andMinistry of ForeignAffairs jointly issuedthe Guide Catalogueof Foreign Countries and IndustriesRecommended for Investment. Itgives information on relevant indus-tries in 67 countries and regions.     

Rave Reviews

China underwent its eighth trade policy review by the World Trade Organization (WTO) from October 20 to 22. This comprehensive assessment of China's trade policy came at the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the WTO, a time when certain countries are wielding unilateralism and international trade is being battered by the COVID-19 pandemic; and China's foreign trade is bucking the trend.     

丛培武大使在皮尔逊进步政策中心研讨会上就中国防控疫情进展发表讲话

女士们,先生们,朋友们,很高兴参加皮尔逊进步政策中心组织的研讨会。该中心的宗旨之一是促进加拿大同国际伙伴之间的对话,为増进加拿大同其他国家交流搭建了平台。我想借此机会介绍中国应对新型冠状病毒感染肺炎疫情举措及成效,希望这能帮助大家更好地了解中国和中国的制度。当然,我也愿意谈谈对当前中加关系的看法。     

Only One Way Out

The Think Tank&Media Forum on Global Economic Development took place in Beijing on March 8.Themed"Exploring new measures for win-win cooperation,and sharing new achievements in global development,"the event,hosted by China International Publishing Group (CIPG),attracted both Chinese and international experts,who shared their thoughts on global economic recovery and global governance in the post-pandemic world.     

Together for a Shared Future

At the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 on February 4, 76 young people from various countries walked side by side during a performance. As they passed, a long scroll of photos slowly unfolded, illustrating that people across the world share a common destiny in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuing their dreams.     

CONSENSUS ON HEALTH

正Synergy is needed for both Belt and Road partners and the world As part of a coordinated response to lessen the impact of COVID-19, a passport scheme could be implemented to promote collaboration among countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Valerio De Molli, Managing Partner and CEO of The European House-Ambrosetti,