VOL. XXVII No. 4

April 2015

Rs. 20.00

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (L), who is also Chinese Special Representative on China-India Boundary Question, shakes hands with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit　 Doval　 in　 New　 Delhi　 on　 March　 23,　 2015. （ Xinhua／ Zheng　 Huansong）

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

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

Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le Yucheng visited the headquarter of Indian English Newspaper The Hindu　 in　 Chennai　 on March 30 and met with　 N．　 Ram　 and　 N．　 Ravi，　 the　 chairpersons　 of　 the　 newspaper．

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

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

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

CONTENTS 　 CHINA INDIA RELATIONS 1. 2.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi Meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi The Eighteenth Special Representatives' Meeting on the China-India Boundary Question Held in New Delhi 3. China to Boost Partnership with India 4． Ambassador Le Yucheng's Interview with The Hindu 5． “Belt and Road Initiative”：　 China　 and　 India　 Play　 the　 Symphony　 Together

4 5 7 8 14

EXTERNAL　 AFFAIRS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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

20 22 23 25 26

2015 BOAO　 FORUM FOR ASIA 1. 2. 3. 4.

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

27 35 44 46

REVIVING THE SILK ROAD 1. ＂ Belt　 and　 Road＂：　 Not　 China＇ s　 Solo　 But　 Inspiring　 Chorus 2. Jointly Build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road By Deepening Mutual Trust and Enhancing Connectivity 3．　 Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road　

48 50 53

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS 1. 2.

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

69 71

CULTURE　 &　 LIFE　 1. 2. 3. 4.

A Literary Comeback Popular Chinese TV Dramas Overseas The Museum City in Northwest China----Xi＇ an A Glance in the Season of Flowers

73 76 78 82

TIBET　 TODAY 1. China Issues White Paper on Tibet 2． Long-term Prosperity, Stability Stressed for China's Tibetan Regions 3． Lighting Up the Highest Place in the World

84 84 86

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

89 90

News From China April 2015

4 China India Relations

CHINA INDIA RELATIONS

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

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

On March 24 local time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India met in New Delhi with visiting State Councilor Yang Jiechi. Narendra Modi expressed that President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to India last year, which remains fresh in the Indian people’s memory. He asked Yang Jiechi to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, and expressed his willingness to visit China and exchange indepth views with Chinese leaders on further developing India-China relations, sending a positive signal to the international community

that India and China are committed to promoting friendly cooperation. Narendra Modi stated that bilateral relations are rapidly advancing along the right course set by the leaders of the two countries, which not only benefits the two countries and peoples but also will exert a positive influence on Asia and the world at large. Yang Jiechi conveyed sincere greetings from Chinese leaders to Narendra Modi. He said that both countries are speeding up the implementation of the results yielded by President Xi Jinping’s visit to India and will

News From China April 2015

actively prepare for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China. As the two largest developing countries in the world, China and India joining hands for cooperation and building a closer development partnership will conduce to their respective development

China India Relations

as well as peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large. China will work with India to constantly deepen mutual trust, actively expand cooperation and push bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to new highs.

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

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

On March 23, 2015, the 18th Special Representatives’ Meeting on the China-India boundary question was held in New Delhi. Yang Jiechi, State Councilor and special representative on the Chinese side and Ajit Doval, the special representative on the Indian side and Indian National Security Adviser, exchanged in-depth views on the boundary

question and had strategic communication on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern. Both sides believed that the successful visit to India paid by President Xi Jinping last September charted the course and drew a blueprint for China-India strategic cooperation in the next five to ten years. Both sides would

5

6 China India Relations

join efforts to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, maintain the momentum of highlevel mutual visits, and constantly advance China-India strategic and cooperative partnership. The two sides reviewed the positive progress achieved at the previous special representatives’ meetings over the past years and stressed to continue advancing the progress of framework negotiation along a right track on the basis of the realized results and consensus while taking the big picture of bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples into consideration. Both sides reaffirmed to properly manage and control conflicts and join efforts to maintain the peace and tranquility in the boundary area before the boundary issue is finally settled. Both sides noted that as important

News From China April 2015

neighbors, China and India are the two largest developing nations and emerging markets with the most vitality in the current world. The development of China-India relations bears on the benefits of the two peoples and exerts influences on the peace and development of the region and the world at large. Both sides should join efforts to promote practical cooperation in various fields, further enhance coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, build a closer development partnership, and make more contributions to the peace and development in the world.

China, India Aim to Maintain Border Peace Beijing, March 24 (Xinhuanet) — Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi is on a state visit to India. After the first day of talks, China’s foreign ministry said both countries have agreed to maintain peace along Himalayan border while

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

News From China April 2015

resolving boundary issues. Yang met Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Monday to discuss bilateral ties. The aims of the talks are to fix disputes over the border that divides Asia’s largest nations and to form part of efforts to make progress on bilateral ties in the lead up to Modi’s visit to

China India Relations

China in May. The last round of special representative talks took place during President Xi Jinping’s visit to New Delhi last September. These came after Modi had raised concerns about incidents of transgressions along the border.

China to Boost Partnership with India　

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

Beijing, April 14 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang said China will boost contacts and cooperation with India to enhance bilateral strategic cooperative partnership. Wang made the remarks during a recent meeting with Nara Chandrababu Naidu, President of Telugu Desam Party and chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, in Beijing, according to an official press release on Tuesday.

Party-to-party communications and exchanges at the local level are important components of the relationship between the two countries, said Wang. The vice premier stressed that China will further implement its neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness so as to push forward China-India ties in the year marking the 65 anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic relations.

7

8 China India Relations

News From China April 2015

Ambassador Le Yucheng's　 Interview　 with　 The Hindu

Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le Yucheng visited the headquarter of Indian English Newspaper The Hindu on March 30, 2015. The Newspaper published the interview to the Ambassador on March 1. The full text is as follows: 1. Last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to India. How’s the implementation of the decisions taken during President Xi’s visit coming along? A: Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to India last September. This was the second state visit by a Chinese President to India in the span of eight years. President Xi was also the first head of state of a major country to visit India after the formation of the new government. The leaders of our two countries reached consensus on building China-India closer development partnership, charted out a blueprint for development of our bilateral

relations in the next five-ten years and opened up a new chapter for our relationship. As we know, during President Xi’s visit to India, China and India signed twelve agreements on trade and economic cooperation, covering fields like industrial parks, railways, credit and leasing, with cumulative amount of investment and financing of 13 billion US dollars. Right now we are stepping up efforts to implement the outcomes of President Xi’s visit. I receive various Chinese delegations visiting India almost every day, and I have met with many ministers and other important members of government, visited some Indian cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Amritsar. Through these meetings and visits, I deeply feel that bilateral cooperation is in full swing, especially in the fields of trade and investment. Railways is undoubtedly the focus

News From China April 2015

of our cooperation. Experts from both sides have met several times and positive progress has been made. The feasibility studies of speed raising project on Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysore section and railway station renovation projects will be finished soon. Dozens of Indian experts have gone to China to receive training in heavy haul transportation. The feasibility study for 1754 km long Delhi-Chennai high-speed rail corridor by the China Railway Siyuan Survey and Design Group is in full swing. Chinese companies are also involved in the bidding for feasibility studies of the other sections of highspeed rail. China-India railways cooperation has bright prospects. The work on the Chinese industrial parks in Pune and Vadodara is going on in full swing. Construction in the Pune automobile industrial park, where the plan is to invest $ 5 billion in three phases until 2030, will start soon. The industrial park will create around one lakh jobs and an annual output of 20 billion US dollars on its completion. A well-known Chinese private company Sany has also set up factories in Pune and created hundreds of jobs locally. I recently attended the inauguration ceremony of Huawei’s R&D center in Bengaluru and found that the center employs more than 2,000 local employees. China Huaneng Group will also invest 3 billion US dollars in Gujarat to build 4000MW coal-fired power plants. Alibaba, Xiaomi and other Chinese companies are also eager to invest in India. The year 2015 is being observed as the “Visit India Year” in China. The Indian External Minister Sushma Swaraj attended its launch ceremony held in Beijing in February this year. Now the number of Chinese citizens visiting India is growing rapidly. It is often difficult to get an airline ticket for the flight between China and India. The number of Chinese tourists visiting India in the last two months grew by 10 percent over the same period last year. If India streamlines and facilitates the issuing of tourist visa to the Chinese tourists, I believe the

China India Relations

number of Chinese visitors will grow much faster. It is particularly worth mentioning that both sides have agreed upon a package plan on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China through Nathula Pass. We hope that this summer the first group of Indian pilgrims will go to Kailash Manasarovar through the new route. The new pilgrimage route is accessible by cars, fast, convenient and secure. The two sides have also actively engaged in cultural exchanges recently. During the traditional Chinese Spring Festival, China Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe visited New Delhi and Gujarat and gave performances, which were immensely liked by the audience. On March 26, the Exhibition of Fine Artworks of Contemporary China opened to a warm reception in Delhi. Pragmatic bilateral cooperation in the economic, cultural and other fields between the two countries has laid down a solid foundation for building a closer development partnership. 2. Prime Minister Modi will visit China in May. As the Chinese Ambassador to India, what’s your expectation to this visit? A: Last September, President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to India. The picture of the two leaders operating the spinning wheel in Gujarat, the home state of the Prime Minister Modi, has spread far and wide in China. The Chinese people believe in reciprocating the courtesy of others. So I’m sure when Prime Minister Modi visits China later this year, he will be warmly welcomed by the Chinese government and people. PM Modi’s first visit to China since becoming prime minister is the highlight of China-India relations in this year. China attaches great importance to this visit. The two sides are in close communication on this visit. Indian External Minister’s visit to China in February and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi’s visit to India recently attests to the fact that preparations for PM Modi’s visit are in full

9

10 China India Relations

swing. During the visit, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang will hold comprehensive, wide-ranging and in-depth discussions with Prime Minister Modi on areas of bilateral, strategic and pragmatic cooperation, cultural and local exchange, and major international issues. Prime Minister Modi will have an opportunity to communicate with China’s business people, young students and ordinary people. The companies from both sides are also preparing a series of cooperative projects. If they arrive at consensus then the agreements could be worth no less than $ 10 billion dollars. In short, this visit will be an important and fruitful visit, which will effectively enrich the connotation of closer development partnership between the two countries, and promote ChinaIndia relations to a new level. 3. China has put forward the “Belt and Road” initiatives. How does this initiative contribute to India-China Relations? A: The “Belt and Road” initiatives put forward by China aims at achieving the common

News From China April 2015

development and prosperity for the various countries along the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” by linking the past with the present, landmass with the seas and the development strategies of the various countries. The Vision and Actions of the initiative have just been issued by the Chinese government. The initiative will forge the four billion people from more than sixty countries in Asia, Europe and Africa into a community of common destiny and common interest. If I may use a musical metaphor, it is not China’s solo, but a symphony performed by all the relevant countries. The “Belt and Road” initiatives will observe the principles of discussing together, building together and sharing together, through policy coordination, road connectivity, unimpeded trade, monetary circulation and mutual understanding between the peoples. These initiatives have been put forward to promote economic cooperation, and are not driven by geopolitics, or an attempt to seek sphere of influence.

News From China April 2015

Since the launch of these initiatives, significant headway has been made in building new mechanisms and laying down new policy framework. More than fifty countries along the Belt and the Road have expressed support for the initiatives; China has either already signed or is in the process of signing the “One Belt, One Road” cooperation agreements with several countries. A set of programmes involving building infrastructure, setting up of industries and boosting people-to-people contacts have already been started. The first Central Asia International Freight Train from Lianyungang (Jiangsu Province), China to Almaty, Kazakhstan began operation on February 25th. The construction of Line D of the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline project has already begun. The eastern route of the China-Russia natural gas pipeline project will be constructed very soon and the agreement on the western route will be signed shortly. All the above projects mark the early harvest of the initiatives. The founding of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has not only been welcomed by the Asian countries, but developed countries, including France, Germany, Britain, Canada have also clearly expressed willingness to join it. The bank currently has 41 prospective founding member countries. India enjoys unique geographical location, was a significant country along the ancient silk roads and spice route, and is situated at the unique crossing point of the contemporary Belt and Road. India is China’s natural and significant cooperation partner in promoting the “Belt and Road” initiatives. Last year, India became one of the first prospective founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and hosted its second chief negotiators’ meeting in Mumbai in late January this year. In the second half of this year, India will also host the third meeting of BCIM Economic Corridor Joint Working Group. All these reflect positive and cooperative attitude of India to the “Belt and Road” initiatives. China is willing to strengthen the communication and

China India Relations

coordination with India, to link the “Belt and Road” initiatives with India’s “Spice Route” and “Mausam” projects, and bring tangible benefits to the peoples in our two countries and throughout the region. 4. What’s your comment on the 18th Special Representatives’ Meeting on the China-India boundary question? A: On March 23, 2015, the 18th Special Representatives’ Meeting on the China-India boundary question was held in New Delhi. Yang Jiechi, State Councilor and special representative on the Chinese side and Ajit Doval, the special representative on the Indian side and Indian National Security Adviser, exchanged in-depth views on the boundary question and had strategic communication on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern. This is the first boundary question talk since the Indian new government took office, as well as the appointment the Indian new Special Representative. The meeting was in a friendly and candid atmosphere. The two sides reviewed the positive progress achieved at the previous special representatives’ meetings over the past years and stressed to continue advancing the progress of framework negotiation along a right track on the basis of the realized results and consensus while taking the big picture of bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples into consideration. Both sides reaffirmed to properly manage and control conflicts and join efforts to maintain the peace and tranquility in the boundary area before the boundary question is finally settled. As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on the press conference held by the Third Session of the Twelfth National People’s Congress, the China-India boundary question is a legacy of history. At the moment, the boundary negotiation is in the process of building up small positive developments. It is like climbing a mountain. The going is tough and that is only because we are on the way up. This is all the

11

12 China India Relations

more reason that we should do more to strengthen China-India cooperation, so that we can enable and facilitate the settlement of the boundary question. 5. There is a trade imbalance between India and China, with India’s trade deficit of $37.8 billion. Bilateral trade in 2014 topped $ 70.6 billion. How can we correct this imbalance? A: The Chinese side does not like trade surplus and prefers balanced trade. China takes the Indian concern of trade imbalance very seriously. Although the main reason for our trade imbalance lies in the objective factors like difference in industrial structures of our two countries, we are willing to provide opportunities to increase India’s exports to China. Since 2008, the Ministry of Commerce of China has sent six trade promotion delegations to boost imports from India. China warmly welcomes the Indian side to expand trade with China through various trading platforms, such as China-South Asia Expo and China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), and also the Import Promotion Centres recently built in Shanghai, Tianjin and other cities. In order to increase the popularity of the Indian products, China also welcomes various Indian chambers of commerce to hold product promotion events in China. Besides, China hopes that India would ease restrictions on exporting its competitive products such as iron ore etc. to China, reduce tariffs and encourage Indian companies to export more agricultural products. To encourage the Chinese enterprises to invest in India and participate in the “Make in India” campaign, the key is to reduce restrictions on the business visa for Chinese business people and streamline the procedures. More Chinese businessmen will bring more investment, which will help in improving bilateral trade balance. 6. There is a sense in some media that China’s cooperation with South Asian

News From China April 2015

countries is part of a policy of encirclement. What’s your comment on it? A: China adheres to peaceful development. China does not have any tradition of expansion, or any intention to expand. India suffered invasion and occupation by other major powers in history, while China as the largest neighbor, always kept friendly relations with India, kept up civilization communication and exchange, and has never conspired against India or other neighboring countries. Cooperation between China with South Asian countries is based on the foundation of common development. South Asian countries are willing to cooperate with China, and ride the Chinese express train of rapid development. China is also willing to share development opportunities with South Asian countries. Cooperation between China and South Asian countries is open, transparent, and beneficial to all the concerned countries. There are no ulterior motives and no need for India to worry. China is also willing to work with India to conduct trilateral cooperation and multilateral cooperation in the region, to achieve win-win cooperation and common development. 7. What’s your view on India and US promoting cooperation? A: China and India are the two largest developing countries in the world and the U.S. is the biggest developed country in the world. The combined GDP and population of these three countries account for almost 40% of the world. As President Xi Jinping has said on relations between Beijing and Washington, “the vast Pacific Ocean has ample space to accommodate our two great nations” and on relations between Beijing and New Delhi, “If we speak with one voice, the whole world will listen.” As long as we collectively show enough foresight, courage and open-mindedness, China, India and the U.S. can express similar understanding in three different languages of Chinese, Hindi and English, thus we can realize the transPacific Ocean and trans-Indian Ocean

News From China April 2015

cooperation in the 21st century. At the end of last year, Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, mentioned during his India visit that Alibaba has had a 15-year business-to-business relationship with Indian vendors. 400,000 Chinese are buying tea and spices etc. from India through Alibaba and around 1.3 million Indian vendors are doing booming business on Alibaba platforms. Alibaba’s successful listing at the New York Stock Exchange is a glowing testimony of the intertwined interests of and win-win cooperation between China-India-US. Social systems in China, the U.S. and India are different, the historical and cultural backgrounds are also different, however the interests of the three countries are mutually intertwined, and hence “mutual respect” is especially important in our relationships. Every side should respect each other’s core interests and concerns, must respect each other’s choice of the path of development, must

China India Relations

recognize that common interests are far greater than differences, and must continue to enhance understanding, broaden common ground and deepen mutual trust through dialogue and consultation. Only then we would able to seek common ground and further expand it while narrowing down differences, and would able to take the road of peaceful cooperation never taken before. China, India and the U.S. have widespread need and immense potential for cooperation in the bilateral and multilateral domains. From interconnecting the world to facilitating trade, from global warming to energy security, from fighting ebola epidemic to defeating terrorism, every single area requires j o i n t p a r t i c i p a t i o n , c o o p e ra t i o n a n d contribution from these three countries. These are the expectations of the international community from our three countries and also the very essence of the development of the trilateral relations between China, India and the U.S.

13

14 China India Relations

News From China April 2015

“Belt and Road Initiative”：　 China and India Play the Symphony Together Dear professors and friends, Good morning! I am very glad to visit Jawaharlal Nehru University again and attend the conference on the “Belt and Road” initiative which is being jointly organized by the Embassy of China in India and the Centre for Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies, JNU. I, on behalf of the Embassy of China in India, express warm congratulations on convening of this conference, express sincere welcome to all the experts and professors from China and India, and express gratitude to the Centre for Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies for the efforts put in for holding this conference. My home province is Jiangsu, it was from here that Zheng He’s fleet set sail 600 years ago and reached India’s western coast through the “Maritime Silk Road”. As Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan, I heard President Xi Jinping’s speech which stated the “Silk Road Economic Belt” initiative at Nazarbayev University in September, 2013. India and Kazakhstan are the H.E. Ambassador Le Yucheng Addresses the Conference on the“ Belt and important countries on the route of Road Initiative”　 at　 the　 Jawaharlal　 Nehru　 University　 on　 March　 26, 2015. “Maritime Silk Road” and “Silk Road” respectively. After serving as Chinese ambassador in both Kazakhstan and India, I also offers different explanations and think that I am really destined to be linked with speculations about it. Today, I would like to talk the “Belt and Road” initiative. Today, when we about the “Belt and Road” initiative from three have assemble under the one roof, as if perspectives, “Why, What, and How”. predestined, I think we must also thank the 1. Why China proposed the “Belt and “Belt and Road” initiative for giving us such an Road” initiative? exciting opportunity to discuss mutual The construction of “Belt and Road” is cooperation. needed for expanding and deepening of China’s I am working in India for more than half a opening up. China’s reform and opening-up year. Many Indian friends often ask me various have achieved great progress in the past more questions about “Belt and Road”. Indian media than 30 years and China has become the second

News From China April 2015

China India Relations

The construction of “Belt and Road” is largest economy in the world. But China’s needed for the common development of the development remains unbalanced, especially countries along the routes. The initiative involve when seen in the context of the eastern and more than 60 countries with 4.4 billion central or western parts of China. China’s populations and combined GDP of more than 21 central and western regions accounts for 80% trillion US dollars, the later two accounting for of land area and 60% of population, but 63% and 29% of the world respectively. It is the contributes less than one third to the GDP. The world’s biggest emerging economies belt. It mobilization and transfer of the development conforms to the need of peace and development elements like resources and capital towards the of our times. It meets the desire of people from central and western regions through the various countries to reinvigorate the Silk Road implementation of the “Belt and Road” initiative and achieve common development. It also helps is beneficial for the regions’ transformation. It in establishing a new model of international will take the region from the periphery to the cooperation and global governance, promoting forefront of opening-up, will also help in the harmonious coexistence between different transformation and upgrading of open races, religions and cultures, and achieving economy in the eastern coastal region, and form diverse, independent, balanced and sustainable a new pattern of opening-up, which will be development of the countries along the routes. marked by coordinated development plans for 2. What does the “Belt and Road” land and sea, mutual support between the initiative mean to the world? eastern and western parts and its global Simply speaking, the “Belt and Road” aims to orientation. connect the Asia-Pacific The construction of “Belt and Road” is needed for pushing The construction of e c o n o m i c c i r c l e a n d t h e European economic circle. It aims forward Asia’s regional “Belt and Road” is to forge a community of common cooperation. Asia is one of the needed for pushing interest, a community of common most vibrant and promising forward Asia’s regional responsibility and a community regions in the world. Asian re g i o n a l c o o p e ra t i o n a n d cooperation. Asia is one of common destiny through development have achieved of the most vibrant and p o l i c y c o o rd i n a t i o n , ro a d considerable progress in recent promising regions in the connection, unimpeded trade, monetary circulation and mutual years but it is also facing many world. understanding between the constraints, such as diversity of peoples, and realize mutually Asian countries, unbalanced beneficial win-win cooperation and create development between countries, poor benefits for the peoples along the belt and the infrastructure, great financial gap, and lack of road. It can be summed up in four “roads”. regional integration which is way behind when First, it is an open and inclusive road. Mutual compared with Europe and America . The “Belt respect and trust are the premise and basis of and Road” initiative will link Asia’s sub-regions friendly cooperation. Openness which is a together and improve the regional trade and distinct characteristic of the “Belt and Road” investment environment, promote the orderly initiative not only refers to the openness to flow of capital and proper allocation of different regions and countries, but also to resources, promote mutual exchange of needed different areas and programs of cooperation. products, complement various countries’ This is just an initiative taken by China, not a advantages, give new impetus to the Chinese patent or a Chinese “solo”. It is a sustainable development of the region, and give “symphony” to be performed by all the the wings to the revitalization of whole Asia.

15

16

China India Relations

participants. Friendly neighbors and countries along the ancient Silk Road, such as India, and also other countries and multilateral institutions that are interested in the initiative can participate in it in a variety of ways. We can jointly write a new chapter in the history of Silk Road in the era of globalization, and jointly safeguard regional development and stability. Second, it is a road to mutual benefit and cooperation. The “Belt and Road” initiative will create more opportunities for cooperation among the countries along the routes and help them realize more common interests. The countries along the routes are at different levels of economic development, and have their own variations in terms of resources and factors of production. But, they have complementary economies and share a common destiny. China will actively promote the construction of interconnection and intercommunication networks. We will achieve openness and integration in an even wider range, higher level

News From China April 2015

and more depth. We will deepen cooperation in trade and investment, expand the converging points of common interests, and infuse new vitality in the development of countries along the routes thus bringing benefits to a larger number of people from various countries. Third, it is a road of harmonious coexistence. It is impossible to build the “Belt and Road” without a peaceful and stable environment. The initiative is not an Asian version of the “Monroe Doctrine”, or the “Marshall Plan”, but an initiative aimed at cooperation. China neither has any special geopolitical strategic intention nor any intention to seek dominant right in regional affairs or operate a zone of influence. China will never interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. The “Chinese dream” is as soft and beautiful as silk. What we pursue is common development. We want to make a better life, not only for ourselves, but also for other people. We would like to connect ourselves with other developing countries

News From China April 2015

through “Belt and Road” to pursue and realize the common dream of development. It is a road of civilizational blending. A civilization is colourful and rich owing to various exchanges, interactions and blending of different traditions and values. The “Belt and Road” initiative is not only about important trade routes, but also about cultural corridors transcending national borders and temporal limits. By constructing the “Belt and Road”, China will inherit and carry forward the spirit of friendly cooperation of the ancient Silk Road, promote equal communication between diverse civilizations, and advance mutual under-standing, support and help between the peoples of various countries. This will help in further spreading and blending various cultures and civilizations, and increase friendship and trust. 3. How to build the “Belt and Road” The construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative will be based on the comparative advantages and development requirements of various countries along the route. It will rely on economic corridors, build transportation infrastructure, provide financing platforms and boost cultural exchange. We will prioritize the key areas and programs in all directions to fan out from point to line, and from line to area. On land, relying on the international passageways, taking the support of central cities along the route, and utilizing important industrial parks as cooperative platform, we will jointly build international economic cooperation corridors like the New Eurasian Continental Bridge, China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor and China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor. On sea, we will take important ports as maritime nodal points and jointly build a smooth, safe and efficient transportation corridor. The BCIM Corridor and China-Pakistan Corridor are also important constituents of the initiative; we will take them forward side by side. In less than a year and a half since its announcement, over fifty countries and

China India Relations

international organizations have responded positively to the initiative. China has signed the Belt and Road cooperation agreements with Kazakhstan and four other countries, which are bearing tangible results. We have initiated the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and contributed $40 billion to set up the Silk Road Fund. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRICS Bank are actively preparing to start their operations. One month ago, the first Central Asia International Freight Train from Lianyungang (Jiangsu Province), China to Almaty, Kazakhstan began operation on February 25th. The construction of Line D of the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline project has already begun. The eastern route of the China-Russia natural gas pipeline project will be constructed very soon and the agreement on the western route will be signed shortly. All the above projects mark the early harvest of the initiative. As the next step, China will strengthen bilateral cooperation with the countries along the route, sign MoUs and build joint working mechanisms. At the same time we will fully utilize the existing bilateral and multilateral mechanisms, will enrich the content and pattern of the cooperation, jointly draw up timetables and roadmaps, and connect the development strategy and regional cooperation plan with the countries along the route. China is willing to steadily take forward the construction of pilot projects, jointly specify projects which will take care of the common interests, and carry forward the construction of urgently needed projects which are accepted by all parties. We hope the initiative will come to fruition at an early date, and the peoples along the route will share the fruits. When looking back at the history of the exchanges between China and India, overland and maritime silk roads come to people’s minds naturally. Exchange of goods and commodities between our two countries through the ancient Silk Road gained momentum when envoy Zhang Qian from the West Han Dynasty went on the

17

18

China India Relations

journey to the western region beyond China. Through the ancient Silk Road, three wellknown and highly-respected Chinese monks, Faxian, Xuanzang and Yijing, made their way to India to seek Buddist sutras. The West Han Dynasty and India were also linked by a maritime route called the “South China Sea route” or what we often call as the Ancient Maritime Silk Road. The fleet of Zheng He docked along the coast of India six times. The Chinese fishing net he brought to Cochin, the south Indian town, is still used by the local fishermen a lot. Many Indian scholars and merchants also went all the way to China and left their names and stories in Chinese history books. Hinduism existed in Quanzhou City of China in the North Song Period more than 1000 years ago and flourished in the Yuan Dynasty. Stele with inscriptions in Tamil and Chinese languages from those periods are preserved till date. Through the ancient silk roads, merchants, religious figures and scholars promoted the exchanges between the Chinese and Indian civilizations. Had it not been for the ancient silk roads, the contemporary Chinese and Indian civilizations would not have been so rich and wholesome, and the history of human kind would have been different as well. Next five to ten years are immensely important for the development of our two countries. China and India have been endowed with a historic opportunity to make our nations strong and peoples prosperous. China has already entered a critical phase in the process of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society. The development of China will bring more opportunities to its neighbors, including India. At the same time, India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi is actively engaged in reforms and development. The common mission of national rejuvenation has strengthened the ties between India and China. Together we will carry forward the spirit of the Silk Road and complement each other with respective advantages in order to integrate our development strategies and build the closer partnership for development. India enjoyed important geographic

News From China April 2015

location along the ancient silk roads and spice route and is situated at the unique crossing point of the contemporary Belt and Road. India is China’s natural and significant cooperation partner in promoting the “Belt and Road” initiative. The BCIM Economic Corridor, as an important part of the “Belt and Road”, is steadily moving forward. The third meeting of the BCIM joint working group will be held in India later this year. Last year, India became one of the first prospective founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and hosted its second chief negotiators’ meeting in Mumbai in late January this year. All these are positive signals of India participating in and extending support to the “Belt and Road” initiative. China will continue strengthening communication and coordination with India to push the BCIM forward, promote projects of the “Belt and Road” initiative and bring tangible benefits to the peoples in our two countries and throughout the region. China attaches importance to India’s opinion and advice regarding the “Belt and Road” initiative. We are willing to conduct further policy communication and looking forward to linking the “Belt and Road” initiative with India’s “Spice Route” and “Mausam” projects in order to form “the greatest common factor” for our cooperation. The Chinese side welcomes more and more officials, scholars and entrepreneurs from the Indian side to engage in deliberations on the “Belt and Road”. We encourage think tanks from both sides to host more symposiums just like this one we are attending today. We support the academic and cultural institutions from both sides to conduct joint research on ancient silk roads and the history of China-India exchanges. We support the friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between the provinces and states from both sides. We would be pleased to see a grand scenario of comprehensive engagement for the common development at national, local and entrepreneurial levels. As the largest countries in Asia, China and India could also discuss win-win cooperation in third countries with the aim to enhance the wellbeing of

News From China April 2015

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

China India Relations

do believe that as long as China and India, the two largest developing countries in the world, strive together upholding the Silk Road spirit that embodies unity, trust, equality, openness, cooperation, mutual learning and benefit, we will definitely enjoy peace and development in harmony and jointly welcome the dawn of Asian Century. Spring season is the symbol of hope, life, and vitality. And our discussion together on the history of the Silk Road, the relations between “Belt and Road” and regional cooperation and integration bears much more meaning in this season. I hope that all the representatives here will actively interact, and improve mutual understanding and communication. I believe that your opinion and suggestions will be conducive to promote the “Belt and Road” cooperation, and contribute to the development of China-India relations. I wish this conference a great success. Thank you all.

19

News From China April 2015

20 External Affairs

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

China, Vietnam Pledge Closer Friendship, Partnership

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

Beijing, April 7 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong pledged to cement the traditional friendship and boost the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries during talks on Tuesday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the China-Vietnam traditional friendship is precious wealth shared by the two parties, the two nations and the people of the two countries,

worthy of being cherished and taken good care of. Recalling their mutual support between the two nations since their fight for national independence, Xi said reciprocal cooperation has brought substantial benefit for the people of the two countries, which also helps to promote peace, development and prosperity in the region. China and Vietnam share extensive common interests, and friendship and cooperation have remained the primary theme of the bilateral

News From China April 2015

External Affairs 21

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang （４ th　 R）　 meets　 with　 Nguyen　 Phu　 Trong　 （４ th　 L），　 general　 secretary　 of　 the　 Central　 Committee　 of　 the　 Communist　 Party　 of　 Vietnam，　 in　 Beijing，　 capital　 of　 China，　 April　 ８，　 ２０１５．　 （ Xinhua／ Pang　 Xinglei）

ties, said the Chinese leader. Xi proposed the two sides always bear in mind the overall situation of China-Vietnam friendship as well as their development, respect each other, consult with each other in a friendly way, seek common ground while shelving differences, and control their disputes to ensure that the bilateral relationship will develop in a right track. Xi said China and Vietnam are facing both new opportunities and challenges as the international situation is undergoing complex and profound changes. He suggested the two parties, as well as the two countries, boost highlevel interactions to find out new solutions to their problems and new ideas to advance the bilateral relationship in a sustained way. N g uye n a l s o s a i d f r i e n d s h i p a n d cooperation have been the primary themes of the Vietnam-China relationship over the 65 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

The brotherly and comradely traditional friendship was formed by late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh and Chinese leader Mao Zedong, which should be inherited, Nguyen said. Nguyen, who is paying an official visit to China from Tuesday to Friday at Xi’s invitation, said the Vietnamese side looks forward to more interaction between the leaders of the two countries to enhance the political trust in each other. As Vietnam and China are both committed to the great cause of socialism and carrying out allround reform, they need friendship, reciprocal cooperation and a peaceful environment for development more than ever, said the Vietnamese leader. Vietnam and China share immense common interests and it is the common obligation of the two sides as well as the common aspiration of the people of the two countries to advance the c o m p re h e n s ive s t ra t e g i c c o o p e ra t ive partnership, Nguyen said, adding that it is a

22 External Affairs

strategic choice of Vietnam to develop friendly ties with China in a sustained and stable way. On the 21st - Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, Xi said China welcomes Vietnam’s participation and Nguyen said Vietnam was studying on it. The two leaders agreed on making joint efforts to control maritime disputes and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. Xi voiced China’s support for Vietnam to host the Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2017 as well as the building of the ASEAN Community. He also proposed China and Vietnam should make efforts to protect each other’s organizations, enterprises and citizens on their territory. China stands ready to strengthen coordination with Vietnam in international

News From China April 2015

affairs to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the world, Xi said. The two leaders agreed on closer cooperation on defense, security, lawenforcement, infrastructure construction, culture, education and tourism among others. They witnessed the signing of a string of deals between the two sides, including a five-year plan for the cooperation between the two ruling parties, after their talks at the Great Hall of the People. After the talks, the two leaders met with a group of Chinese and Vietnamese youngsters and encouraged them to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two nations. Prior to their talks, Xi held a red-carpet ceremony to welcome the CPV leader. They also visited an exhibition on theoretical exchanges between the two parties.

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

News From China April 2015

The 54th Annual Session of the AsianAfrican Legal Consultative Organization opened in Beijing on April 13,2015. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a keynote speech, saying China will cooperate with the AALCO members to safeguard the post war international order and promote the rule of law at the international level. This is the second time Beijing has hosted the annual session of the AALCO. The first time was in 1990. Li said this year’s meeting is very important as it coincides with a political milestone, the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. “The international community and China will hold a series of events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders will attend the related activities. This session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization is part of the commemorative activities,” Li said. “The meeting itself is sending a clear signal to the international community that China is willing to work together with Asian and African countries and the rest of world to continue upholding the spirit of the Bandung Conference and safeguard the post-war international order.” The AALCO is an intergovernmental

External Affairs 23

organization established in 1956. It follows in the spirit of the 1955 Bandung Conference, which was to that date the largest gathering of Asian and African countries. It was there that the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence was built upon, and the Ten Principles on handling state-to-state relations were put forward, emphasizing peace, equality and sovereignty, among others. This year’s AALCO session focuses on topics as varied as international law in cyberspace, workings of investment treaties, law of the sea and legal aspects on violent extremism and terrorism. Li said it is important to safeguard the postwar international order, as this year also marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. Li said peace, development and winwin cooperation are the prevailing trends of our times. “China will support the cause and work of the AALCO as always. I’d like to announce that China will fund the establishment of the ChinaAALCO International Research and Exchange Program. That shows our respect for the contribution made by all the AALCO members, and it will also help strengthen Asian-African countries’ cooperation on the rule of law at the international level,” he said.

Russian　 President　 Vladimir　 Vladimirovich　 Putin　 Meets with Wang Yi In the afternoon of April 7, 2015, President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Kremlin in Moscow. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin noted that the Russia-China relations have reached an unprecedented high, and the quality for bilateral cooperation is completely in line with

the reality and long-term needs of the two nations. The Russia-China cooperation has also grown into the most important factor to safeguard the stability in the current world. Russia earnestly looks forward to President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia and his attendance of the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the victory of the anti-fascist war in the near

24 External Affairs

future. Russia firmly supports China in its efforts to safeguard its core interests and backs the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt put forward by President Xi Jinping. Russia stands ready to, together with China, intensify the comprehensive cooperation in practical fields and boost coordination and cooperation in international affairs, so as to address the challenges emerged in the development of the two countries and faced by the global peace and security. Wang Yi said that over the past two-odd years, President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin made a top-level design and strategic guidance for the bilateral relations by taking the big picture of the development and revitalization of both China and Russia into consideration and bearing in mind the general situation of peace and development in the world, so as to keep the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination running at a high level and push it towards a new development stage. China and Russia have always respected

News From China April 2015

and supported each other, and devoted to mutually beneficial cooperation and common development, providing the exchanges between major countries with useful experience and becoming a model of practice for building a new type of international relations. In order to address the new changes in the global and regional arena, China and Russia should connect the initiative of Silk Road Economic Belt, the construction of Railway across Eurasia, as well as the economic integration process in Eurasia together, expand new cooperation fields, build new cooperation platforms, and continue boosting people-to-people and cultural exchanges to consolidate the public opinion and social foundation for the bilateral friendship. Both sides should also take the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the WWII as an opportunity to intensify cooperation and coordination in international affairs and to firmly safeguard the common interests of both sides. On the same day, Wang Yi laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Red Square.

News From China April 2015

External Affairs 25

Wang　 Yi　 Talks　 about　 the　 Negotiation　 on　 the　 Iranian　 Nuclear　 Issue

Diplomats meet on Iran's nuclear deal in Lausanne, Switzerland, on March 30, 2015. Foreign ministers from major world powers on Sunday night kicked off a plenary session here to further bridge　 gaps　 on　 Iran＇ s　 potential　 nuclear　 framework　 deal．　 （ Xinhua／ Zhang　 Miao）

In the afternoon of March 30, 2015, Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave an interview to Chinese media on the sidelines of the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Six Countries and Iran on the Iranian Nuclear Issue in Lausanne, Switzerland and introduced the progress of the negotiation. Wang Yi expressed that the marathon-like negotiation on the Iranian nuclear issue has entered the final phase. This time foreign ministers of seven countries gathered in Lausanne to clarify the significant headways achieved in the negotiation on a higher level, sort out remaining core issues, and discuss how to form the thinking and path to tackle these issues. After I arrived in Lausanne yesterday, I had met respectively with foreign ministers of

other six countries and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU, and attended three foreign ministers’ meetings. Through intensive multilateral and bilateral contacts, the focus of the issues has been defined at present, the thinking of settlement is taking shape, and the differences among all parties are narrowing. Wang Yi said that the negotiation involves many aspects and is very complicated. At the same time, internal and external factors influencing the negotiation are gathering and escalating. It is at such moment that we need to maintain composure, consolidate confidence and meet each other half way, and only by doing so can we prevent from falling short of success

News From China April 2015

26 External Affairs

at the last stage. Wang Yi said that through the course of many years, the negotiation has witnessed progress in multiple aspects, and a sound foundation for reaching a comprehensive agreement has been laid. It is hoped that with the efforts of all parties at the foreign ministers’ meeting this time, a road will finally be paved to solve the Iranian nuclear issue as scheduled. Wang Yi noted that the Chinese side always

actively participates in the negotiation as an important party, plays a constructive role, pays attention to looking for positive factors in positions of all parties and puts them together to form the thinking to solve the issue. The opinions and advices of the Chinese side were highly valued by various parties. We will continue to do so at the final stage of the negotiation.

AIIB Founders Finalized at 57 Beijing, April 15 (Xinhua) — The prospective founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) finalized at 57 on Wednesday after seven more countries were approved, China’s Ministry of Finance said. Sweden, Israel, South Africa, Azerbaijan, Iceland, Portugal and Po l a n d we re n e wly included as founding members on Wednesday. Vice Finance Minister of China accepts interview　 on　 AIIB　 in Beijing , China on Though the deadline Mr. Shi Yaobin（R），　 April 15, 2015.　 （ Xinhua／ Chen Jianli） for founding membership application has right to help define the bank’s rules, while past, the bank will continue to accept new countries that applied to join after March 31 will members, as the AIIB is an open and inclusive be considered ordinary members with voting multilateral development bank, China’s Vice rights but less say in the rule-making process. Finance Minister Shi Yaobin said. The AIIB will provide financing for roads, The 57 prospective founding members railways, airports and other infrastructure cover five continents, including Asia, Oceania, projects in Asia. It is expected to be established Europe, Latin America and Africa, Shi said. by the end of this year. Founding members of the AIIB have the

News From China April 2015

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

2015 BOAO FORUM FOR ASIA

Towards a Community of Common Destiny and A New Future for Asia Keynote Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China At the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2015 Boao, 28 March 2015

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

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

27

28 2015 Boao Forum for Asia

News From China April 2015

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

At the outset, let me extend, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in my own name, heartfelt welcome to all the distinguished guests attending the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2015, and my warm congratulations on the opening of the conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Asia’s New Future: Towards a Community of Common Destiny”. The timing could not be better in that the theme has not only great immediate relevance but also long-term historical significance. And I am looking to all of you to express yourselves fully and contribute your insightful views to the cause of peace and development of Asia and beyond. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, There are certain historic occasions that are likely to remind people of what happened in the past and set people reflecting on them. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the World Anti-Fascist War, the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the founding of the United Nations. This year is also the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference and

will witness the completion of the ASEAN Community. As such, it is an important year to be commemorated as well as a historic juncture to reflect on the past and look to the future. Over the past 70 years, the world has experienced profound changes as never before, making a difference to the destiny of mankind. With the days of global colonialism and the Cold War long gone, countries are now increasingly interconnected and interdependent. Peace, development and win-win cooperation have become the prevailing trend of our times. The international forces are shifting in a way that is more favorable to maintaining world peace. Countries are now in a better position to uphold general stability in the world and seek common development. Over the past 70 years, Asia has also gone through unprecedented changes. After gaining national independence, Asian countries took their destiny in their own hands and strengthened the force for regional and world peace. Asian countries were the first to advocate the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and, together with African countries, put forward the Ten Principles on handling state-to-state relations at the Bandung Conference. Since the

News From China April 2015

end of the Cold War, Asian countries have gradually come up with an Asian way of cooperation in the course of advancing regional cooperation, which features mutual respect, consensus-building and accommodation of each other’s comfort levels. All this has contributed to a proper approach to state-tostate relations and to progress in building a new type of international relations. Over the past 70 years, more and more Asian countries have found development paths that suit their own national conditions and embarked on a fast-track of economic growth. Having emerged from poverty and backwardness, they are on course to achieve development and prosperity. Regional and inter-regional cooperation is flourishing. Connectivity is pursued at a faster pace. As a result, there is a strong momentum in Asia with countries striving to outperform each other. Accounting for one third of the world economy, Asia is one of the most dynamic regions with the most potential and its global strategic

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

importance has been rising. Over the past 70 years, Asian countries have gradually transcended their differences in ideology and social system. No longer cut off from each other, they are now open and inclusive, with suspicion and estrangement giving way to growing trust and appreciation. The interests of Asian countries have become intertwined, and a community of common destiny has increasingly taken shape. Be it the arduous struggle for national independence, or the difficult periods of the Asian financial crisis and the international financial crisis, or the hard time in the wake of devastating disasters including the Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake in Wenchuan, China, the people of Asian countries have always come to those in need with a helping hand and worked together to overcome one challenge after another, demonstrating the power of unity in face of difficulties and the spirit of sharing weal and woe. This said, Asia still faces numerous challenges. Some are the old issues left over

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

29

News From China April 2015

30 2015 Boao Forum for Asia

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

from history and others are new ones associated with current disputes. Asia is also confronted with various traditional and nontraditional security threats. Hence it remains an uphill battle for Asian countries to grow the economy, improve people’s livelihood and eliminate poverty. A review of the path traversed over the past 70 years shows that what has been accomplished in Asia today is attributable to the persistent efforts of several generations of people in Asian countries and to the hard work of many statesmen and people of great vision. Tomorrow, Singapore will hold a state funeral for Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Mr. Lee was a strategist and statesman respected across the world for his outstanding contribution to the peace and development of Asia and the exchanges and cooperation between Asia and the world. I want to take this opportunity to pay high tribute to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and all those who made contribution to Asia’s peace and development.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, Asia belongs to the world. For Asia to move towards a community of common destiny and embrace a new future, it has to follow the world trend and seek progress and development in tandem with that of the world. The international situation continues to experience profound and complex changes, with significant development in multipolarization and economic globalization. Cultural diversity and IT application are making constant progress while readjustment is accelerating in international landscape and order. Countries around the world are losing no time in adjusting their development strategies, pursuing transformation and innovation, changing their economic development models, improving economic structures and opening up new horizons for further development. At the same time, however, the world economy is still

News From China April 2015

in a period of profound adjustment, with risks of low growth, low inflation and low demand interwoven with risks of high unemployment, high debt and high level of bubbles. The performance and policies of major economies continue to diverge, and uncertainties in the economic climate remain prominent . Geopolitical factors are more at play and local turmoils keep cropping up. Non-traditional security threats and global challenges including terrorism, cyber security, energy security, food security, climate change and major infectious diseases are on the rise, and the North-South gap is still wide. The noble cause of peace and development remains a long and arduous journey for mankind. We have only one planet, and countries share one world. To do well, Asia and the world could not do without each other. Facing the fast c h a n g i n g i n te r n a t i o n a l a n d re g i o n a l landscapes, we must see the whole picture, follow the trend of our times and jointly build a regional order that is more favorable to Asia and the world. We should, through efforts towards such a community for Asia, promote a community of common interest for all mankind. I wish to take this opportunity to share with you my thoughts on this vision. — To build a community of common destiny, we need to make sure that all countries respect one another and treat each other as equals. Countries may differ in size, strength or level of development, but they are all equal members of the international community with equal rights to participate in regional and international affairs. On matters that involve us all, we should discuss and look for a solution together. Being a big country means shouldering greater responsibilities for regional and world peace and development, as opposed to seeking greater monopoly over regional and world affairs. To respect one another and treat each other as equals, countries need to, first and foremost, respect other countries’ social systems and development paths of their own choice, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns and have objective and rational perception of

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

other countries’ growing strength, policies and visions. Efforts should be made to seek common ground while shelving differences, and better still to increase common interests and dissolve differences. The hard-won peace and stability in Asia and the sound momentum for development should be upheld by all. All of us must oppose interference in other countries’ internal affairs and reject attempts to destablize the region out of selfish motives. — To build a community of common destiny, we need to seek win-win cooperation and common development. Our friends in Southeast Asia say that the lotus flowers grow taller as the water rises. Our friends in Africa say that if you want to go fast, walk alone; and if you want to go far, walk together. Our friends in Europe say that a single tree cannot block the chilly wind. And Chinese people say that when big rivers have water, the small ones are filled; and when small rivers have water, the big ones are filled. All these sayings speak to one same truth, that is, only through win-win cooperation can we make big and sustainable achievements that are beneficial to all. The old mindset of zero-sum game should give way to a new approach of winwin and all-win cooperation. The interests of others must be accommodated while pursuing one’s own interests, and common development must be promoted while seeking one’s own d eve l o p m e n t . T h e v i s i o n o f w i n - w i n cooperation not only applies to the economic field, but also to the political, security, cultural and many other fields. It not only applies to countries within the region, but also to cooperation with countries from outside the region. We should enhance coordination of macroeconomic policies to prevent negative spill-over effects that may arise from economic policy changes in individual economies. We should actively promote reform of global economic governance, uphold an open world economy, and jointly respond to risks and challenges in the world economy. China and ASEAN countries will join hands in building an even closer China-ASEAN community of common destiny. The building of an East Asia economic community for ASEAN,

31

32 2015 Boao Forum for Asia

News From China April 2015

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

China, Japan and ROK will be completed in 2020. We should actively build a free trade cooperation network in Asia and strive to conclude negotiations on an upgraded ChinaASEAN FTA and on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2015. In advancing economic integration in Asia, we need to stay committed to open regionalism and move forward trans-regional cooperation, including APEC, in a coordinated manner. We will vigorously promote a system of regional financial cooperation, explore a platform for exchanges and cooperation among Asian financial institutions, and advance complementary and coordinated development between the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and such multilateral financial institutions as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. We will strengthen practical cooperation in currency stability, investment and financing, and credit rating, make progress in institution building for the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization and build a regional financial security network. We will work towards an energy and resources cooperation mechanism in Asia to ensure energy and resources security.

China proposes that plans be formulated regarding connectivity building in East Asia and Asia at large to advance full integration in infrastructure, policies and institutions and personnel flow. We may increase maritime connectivity, speed up institution building for marine cooperation in Asia, and step up cooperation in marine economy, environmental protection, disaster management and fishery. This way, we could turn the seas of Asia into seas of peace, friendship and cooperation for Asian countries. — To build a community of common destiny, we need to pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. In today’s world, security means much more than before and its implications go well beyond a single region or time frame. All sorts of factors could have a bearing on a country’s security. As people of all countries share common destiny and become increasingly interdependent, no country could have its own security ensured without the security of other countries or of the wider world. The Cold War mentality should truly be discarded and new security concepts be nurtured as we explore a path for Asia that ensures security for all, by all and of all.

News From China April 2015

We believe that countries are all entitled to take an equal part in regional security affairs and all are obliged to work to ensure security for the region. The legitimate security concerns of each country need to be respected and addressed. At the same time, in handling security issues in Asia, it is important to bear in mind both the history and reality of Asia, take a multi-pronged and holistic approach, improve coordinated regional security governance, and safeguard security in both the traditional and non-traditional realms. It is important to conduct dialogue and cooperation to enhance security at national and regional levels, and to increase cooperation as the way to safeguard peace and security. It is important to resolve disputes through peaceful means, and oppose the willful use or threat of force. Security should be given equal emphasis as development, and sustainable development surely provides a way to sustainable security. Countries in Asia need to step up cooperation with countries and organizations outside the region and all parties are welcome to play a positive and constructive role in upholding development and security in Asia. — To build a community of common destiny, we need to ensure inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations. History, over the past millennia, has witnessed ancient civilizations appear and thrive along the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, the Indus, the Ganges, the Euphrates, and the Tigris River as well as in Southeast Asia, each adding its own splendour to the progress of human civilization. Today, Asia has proudly maintained its distinct diversity and still nurtures all the civilizations, ethnic groups and religions in this big Asian family. Mencius, the great philosopher in ancient China, said, “Things are born to be different.” Civilizations are only unique, and no one is superior to the other. There need to be more exchange and dialogue among civilizations and development models, so that each could draw on the strength of the other and all could thrive and prosper by way of mutual learning and common development. Let us promote intercivilization exchanges to build bridges of

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

friendship for our people, drive human development and safeguard peace of the world. China proposes that a conference of dialogue among Asian civilizations be held to provide a platform upon which to enhance interactions among the youth, people’s groups, local communities and the media and to form a network of think-tank cooperation, so as to add to Asian people’s rich cultural life and contribute to more vibrant regional cooperation and development. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, Right now, the Chinese people are working in unison under the strategic plans to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and to comprehensively deepen reform, advance law-based governance, and enforce strict Party conduct. Our objective is to realize the “two centenary” goals for China’s development and for realizing the Chinese dream of great national rejuvenation. I wish to use this opportunity to reaffirm China’s commitment to the path of peaceful development, and to promoting cooperation and common development in the Asia-Pacific. China will be firm in its determination and resolve and all its policies will be designed to achieve such a purpose. Now, the Chinese economy has entered a state of new normal. It is shifting gear from high speed to medium-to-high speed growth, from an extensive model that emphasized scale and speed to a more intensive one emphasizing quality and efficiency, and from being driven by investment in production factors to being driven by innovation. China’s economy grew by 7.4% in 2014, with 7% increase in labor productivity and 4.8% decrease in energy intensity. The share of domestic consumption in GDP rose, the services sector expanded at a faster pace, and the economy’s efficiency and quality continued to improve. When looking at China’s economy, one should not focus on growth rate only. As the economy continues to grow in size, around 7% growth would be quite impressive, and the momentum it generates

33

34 2015 Boao Forum for Asia

would be larger than growth at double digits in previous years. It is fair to say that the Chinese economy is highly resilient and has much potential, which gives us enough room to leverage a host of policy tools. Having said that, China will continue to be responsive to the new trend and take initiatives to shape the new normal in our favor. We will focus on improving quality and efficiency, and give even greater priority to shifting the growth model and adjusting the structure of development. We will make more solid efforts to boost economic development and deepen reform and openingup. We will take more initiatives to unleash the creativity and ingenuity of the people, be more effective in safeguarding equity and social justice, raise people’s living standards and make sure that China’s economic and social development are both sound and stable. This new normal of the Chinese economy will continue to bring more opportunities of trade, growth, investment and cooperation for other countries in Asia and beyond. In the coming five years, China will import more than US$10 trillion of goods, Chinese investment abroad will exceed US$500 billion, and more than 500 million outbound visits will be made by Chinese tourists. China will stick to its basic state policy of opening up, improve its investment climate, and protect the lawful rights and interests of investors. I believe that together, the people of Asian countries could drive this train of Asia’s development to take Asia to an even brighter future. What China needs most is a harmonious and stable domestic environment and a peaceful and tranquil international environment. Turbulence or war runs against the fundamental interests of the Chinese people. The Chinese nation loves peace and has, since ancient times, held high such philosophies that “harmony is the most valuable”, “peace and harmony should prevail” and “all men under heaven are brothers”. China has suffered from turbulence and war for more than a century since modern times, and the Chinese people would never want to inflict the same tragedy on other countries or peoples. History has taught us that no country who tried

News From China April 2015

to achieve its goal with force ever succeeded. China will be steadfast in pursuing the independent foreign policy of peace, the path of peaceful development, the win-win strategy of opening-up, and the approach of upholding justice while pursuing shared interests. China will work to promote a new type of international relations of win-win cooperation and will always remain a staunch force for world peace and common development. Close neighbors are better than distant relatives. This is a simple truth that the Chinese people got to know in ancient times. That explains China’s firm commitment to building friendship and partnership with its neighbors to foster an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood. Under the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, China is working actively to deepen win-win cooperation and connectivity with its neighbors to bring them even more benefit with its own development. China has signed treaties of goodneighborliness, friendship and cooperation with eight of its neighbors and is holding discussion to sign a same treaty with ASEAN. China stands ready to sigh such a treaty with all its neighbors to provide strong support for the development of bilateral relations as well as prosperity and stability in the region. In 2013, during my visit to Kazakhstan and Indonesia, I put forward the initiatives of building a Silk Road economic belt and a 21st century maritime Silk Road. The “Belt and Road” initiative, meeting the development needs of China, countries along the routes and the region at large, will serve the common interests of relevant parties and answer the call of our time for regional and global cooperation. In promoting this initiative, China will follow the principle of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. The programs of development will be open and inclusive, not exclusive. They will be a real chorus comprising all countries along the routes, not a solo for China itself. To develop the Belt and Road is not to replace existing mechanisms or initiatives for regional cooperation. Much to the contrary, we will build on the existing basis to help countries

News From China April 2015

align their development strategies and form complementarity. Currently, more than 60 countries along the routes and international organizations have shown interest in taking part in the development of the Belt and the Road. The “Belt and Road” and the AIIB are both open initiatives. We welcome all countries along the routes and in Asia, as well as our friends and partners around the world, to take an active part in these endeavors. The “Belt and Road” initiative is not meant as rhetoric. It represents real work that could be seen and felt to bring real benefits to countries in the region. Thanks to the concerted efforts of relevant parties, the vision and action paper of the initiative has been developed. Substantive progress has been made in the establishment of the AIIB. The Silk Road Fund has been launched, and constructions of a number of infrastructure connectivity projects are moving forward.

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

These early harvests have truly pointed to the broad prospects the “Belt and Road” initiative will bring. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, The cause of peace and development of mankind is as lofty as its is challenging. The journey ahead will not be smooth sailing, and success may not come easily. No matter how long and difficult the journey may be, those who work together and never give up will eventually prevail. I believe that as long as we keep to our goals and make hard efforts, we will together bring about a community of common destiny and usher in a new future for Asia. I wish the Annual Conference a complete success. Thank you very much.

Chinese President Meets with Foreign Leaders During Boao　 Forum China welcomes Nepal to join Belt and Road Initiative Boao, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav during the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in South China’s Hainan Province on Saturday, welcoming Nepal to participate in the Belt and Road cooperation. Welcoming Yadav to the annual conference, Xi said China-Nepal relationship is a model of peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between big and small countries. We cherish the traditional friendship with Nepal, said Xi, adding that China is willing to be Nepal’s good friend of mutual respect and mutual support, good partner of common development and common prosperity and good neighbor of mutual assistance in security. As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Nepal diplomatic

ties, Xi called on the two sides to be well prepared for a series of commemorative activities. He suggested the two countries should strengthen cooperation in traffic interconnectivity, infrastructure, hydropower development, modernization of agriculture, science and technology. China is willing to initiate the negotiations on Free Trade Agreement with Nepal at an early date, he said, also calling on the two sides to enhance law-enforcement and security cooperation. China appreciates Nepal’s firm support on issues concerning China’s core interests, including issues related to Tibet and Taiwan, said the president. China will continue to support Nepal’s effort

35

36 2015 Boao Forum for Asia

News From China April 2015

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

in safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, he added. Xi voiced the hope that Nepal would not allow any forces to use Nepal’s territory to engage in anti-China separatist activities. He also called on the two sides to beef up cooperation in the areas of youth exchanges and tourism and enhance coordination on multilateral occasions to safeguard their common interests. Yadav said Nepal would never allow its territory to be used by any anti-China activities. Nepal supports China’s initiatives of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21stCentury Maritime Silk Road as well as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), said Yadav. Nepal calls for strengthened cooperation between the South Asian Association of

Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and China, in a bid to promote regional interconnectivity and economic development, he said. Nepal appreciates China’s important and positive role in international affairs and hopes to enhance cooperation with China, he added.

President Xi Emphasizes Mutual Respect in Ties with Sweden Boao, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Sweden should strengthen political guidance and input on bilateral links by respecting each other’s core interests and major concern. Xi made the remark as he met here Saturday with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who is in Boao to attend the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia . Xi said that Lofven’s China visit is his first

News From China April 2015

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

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

trip to Asia since assuming office as Swedish Prime Minister. This reflects the importance that Lofven and Sweden attach to relations with China. Xi said Sweden is the first Western country that established official relations with the new China. Since the two countries set up diplomatic links 65 years ago, bilateral relations have grow from tiny to big and from weak to strong and achieved remarkable results. Xi emphasized that in the next step, the two sides should strengthen political guidance, respect each other’s core interests and major concern. He said the two sides should increase toplevel plan of and political input into bilateral relations by maintaining the momentum of high-level contact and expanding common ground.

Xi said the two countries should strengthen cooperative partnership in the areas of sustainable growth, industrial upgrading, innovation and green economy on the basis of existing cooperation on information and telecommunication technology, upper-end manufacturing, energy efficiency, environment protection and new energy. Xi said the two countries should strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges and set up platforms for exchanges between the youth. He expressed the hope that the Swedish side will provide convenience on visa issuing for Chinese citizens who visit Sweden for business or vacation. He called on the two countries to step up communication and coordination on the post2015 UN development agenda, climate changes and global health security.

37

38 2015 Boao Forum for Asia

Lofven thanked Xi for inviting him to attend the Boao Forum for Asia, saying Xi’s speech at the opening ceremony pointed out the future route of Asian cooperation and is of great significance for Sweden and Europe. Lofven said the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB) initiative that Xi put forward is very important. He said Sweden is highly interested in the AIIB initiative and wishes to carry out cooperation with China on it. He said bilateral trade and economic ties are growing smoothly as China’s investment in Sweden increases. He expressed the wish to carry out cooperation with China on clean and efficient transport, research, innovation and green growth. Lofven said Sweden actively engages in international affairs and places importance on China’s role. He expressed the readiness to

News From China April 2015

strengthen communication and coordination with China within the framework of the United Nations.

President Xi Calls for Greater Growth of China-Netherlands Ties Boao, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Saturday China is ready to work with the Netherlands for even greater growth of bilateral links. Xi made the remark as he met with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is here to attend the Boao Forum for Asia in south China’s Hainan province. During his visit to the Netherlands last year, Xi and Rutte decided to set up the ChinaNetherlands comprehensive cooperative partnership that is open and practical. Xi emphasized that both countries should insist on mutual respect and equality by

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

News From China April 2015

respecting each other’s core interests and major concern so as to secure sustainable, healthy and stable growth of their links. Xi said the two countries should innovate the way of cooperation by expanding and deepening cooperation in the areas of farm produces, dairy industry, pollution control and clean energy. He expressed the wish that the Netherlands will expand exports of hi-tech products and technology to China. Xi said the two sides should exchange visit by high-caliber art groups, continue exchanges between their museums and art galleries and increase cultural exchanges. Rutte said President Xi’s visit to the Netherlands last year was a big success and greatly promoted bilateral political and economic exchanges. He said King WillemAlexander and Queen Maxima are expecting to pay a state visit to China. Rutte said the Netherlands has decided to apply for an initial membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and will immediately communicate with China on this issue. Prior to his trip to Boao, Rutte led a delegation of Netherlands business figures to Shanghai in east China and Shenzhen in the south. He said they achieved highly satisfactory results during the visit and expect to launch businesses in China. Rutte expressed the hope that there would be a greater amount of Dutch farm produce entering the China market. He appreciated China’s effort to govern the country by law and lift quality of economic growth. He expressed the belief that China’s effort will provide a better environment for bilateral cooperation. Rutte said the Netherlands will strengthen cultural exchanges with China, including Chinese language teaching. He welcomes more Chinese tourists to his country.

China, Malaysia Pledge to Enhance Ties Boao, Hainan, March 27 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak during the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in South China’s Hainan Province on Friday, pledging to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership. Welcoming Najib to the annual conference, Xi said China-Malaysia relations are at their best, with highlights including the promotion of practical cooperation in various areas, including emergency response. “I hope to enhance communication and coordination with you to advance our comprehensive strategic partnership,” Xi told Najib. Xi said leaders of both countries should maintain smooth exchanges and communicate on issues of mutual interest in a timely manner. China and Malaysia should respect, trust and accommodate each other, Xi said, calling on the two sides to expand cooperation in industrial parks, railway, finance, law enforcement and defense and security. Xi encouraged more exchanges between students, the youth, local regions, and strengthened coordination in international affairs. China will continue to support building of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community and support the ASEAN to play a leading role in East Asian cooperation, Xi said. This year, China and ASEAN will formulate the third action plan for strategic partnership and launch the China-ASEAN maritime cooperation year as well as building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Xi said. “China hopes Malaysia will play its due role as rotating chair of ASEAN and push for headway in China-ASEAN relations,” he said. Najib said Malaysia regards China as a diplomatic priority, voicing confidence that existing robust ties will continue to grow. He thanked China for it’s help within international and bilateral frameworks, and said the country is willing to work with China to d e e p e n t h e c o m p re h e n s ive s t ra t e g i c

39

40 2015 Boao Forum for Asia

News From China April 2015

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

partnership. Najib hoped both countries could expand trade relations, provincial exchanges and defense and law-enforcement cooperation. He said Malaysia welcomes the Bank of China to set up yuan clearing bank in Malaysia and supports China’s Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives. Najib said his country would deal with any bilateral problems with a diplomatic and practical approach. Malaysia is willing to enhance ASEAN-China cooperation during its rotating presidency and promote ASEAN members to actively participate in the building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, he said.

Chinese President Meets with Lankan President Beijing, March 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese

President Xi Jinping Thursday called on Sri Lanka to protect the legitimate interests of Chinese companies, expressing willingness to deepen cooperation in trade and infrastructure. Xi made the remarks during talks with Sri Lanka’s new President Maithripala Sirisena, who is paying a state visit to China and to attend the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia. “China’s cooperation with Sri Lanka is based on mutual benefit and a win-win situation, without any political preconditions,” Xi said, adding that China wishes to help Sri Lanka sustain its development. Sirisena said the current situation with a China-funded port in Colombo is temporary and the problems do not lie with China. He said his country welcomes more investment from China, promising a healthy investment climate. The 1.4 billion-U.S. dollar port city was part of a deal reached between China and Sri Lanka under the former Sri Lankan government. The

News From China April 2015

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

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

new government, which took office in January, decided to re-examine it. Xi and Sirisena pledged to continue the longstanding friendship between the two countries. Xi stressed the friendship should be “carefully inherited, protected and developed” while Sirisena said the new government will take more robust measures to continue friendly cooperation with China. Calling on both sides to conclude negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement at an early date, Xi said China is willing to encourage Chinese businesses to invest in Sri Lanka and help develop its manufacturing industry. Xi said both sides should work to expand cooperation in health, agriculture, science, tourism and human resources as well as exchanges in military and regional and international affairs. He hoped Sri Lanka

support China’s efforts to enhance cooperation with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Sri Lanka eyes more cooperation with China in trade, education, science and defense, Sirisena said, thanking China’s support for Hambantota port and promising his country will work with China to implement all the big projects agreements reached. The 21st Century maritime silk road also emerge during their talks. Xi called on both sides to make full use of the 40 billion U.S. dollar Silk Road fund and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to steadily push forward big projects and industrial cooperation. Calling the ancient Silk Road a shared historical legacy, Sirisena said Sri Lanka is willing to work with China within the framework of the 21st Century maritime silk

41

42 2015 Boao Forum for Asia

road. Xi said China and Sri lanka should continue bilateral friendly cooperation and be trustworthy and reliable friends. He said China respects Sri Lankan people’s choice of development path in accordance with their national conditions and their efforts to safeguard independence, sovereignty, stability and development. Both countries should understand and support each other on territory and sovereignty related issues, Xi said, adding that China is willing to enhance exchanges with Sri Lanka in state governance and hopes Sri Lanka can achieve more in national development. Sirisena thanked China’s firm backing for his country in the United Nations Human Rights

News From China April 2015

Council and other international bodies. The U.N. Human Rights Council postponed the release of a report on alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka from March until September after the new government requested more time to do its own probe into the violations. After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of documents on infrastructure, health and other sectors. Prior to the talks, Xi held a red-carpet ceremony for Sirisena at the Great Hall of the People.

China, Indonesia Pledge Closer Strategic Partnership Beijing, March 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his

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

News From China April 2015

Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo Thursday a n d t h ey p le d g e d to s t re n g t h e n t h e comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. “China and Indonesia are strategically interdependent on, and economically complementary to, each other and there is immense potential for reciprocal cooperation between the two countries,” Xi said as he talked with the Indonesian president at the Great Hall of the People. At Xi’s invitation, Joko is paying his first state visit to China this week and will attend the the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference, which will be held from Thursday to Sunday in south China’s Hainan Province. During the talks, the two presidents agreed to sign a five-year plan of action for the partnership. This is the 65th year of China-Indonesia diplomatic relations. Xi said Joko’s visit would greatly boost practical cooperation between the two countries in various areas. Hailing development of ties, the two presidents agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, boost economic cooperation and increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges. “The two sides hold the view that the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by President Xi Jinping, and the Strategy of the Global Maritime Fulcrum initiated by President Joko Widodo are complementary,” said a joint statement issued after their talks. According to the statement, China and Indonesia agreed to strengthen strategy and policy communication, advance maritime i n f r a s t r u c t u r e c o n n e c t i v i t y, d e e p e n cooperation in industrial investment and major project construction, and enhance practical c o o p e ra t i o n to d eve l o p a “ m a r i t i m e partnership” together. China will support Indonesia’s efforts to

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

accelerate maritime infrastructure development with the help of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Silk Road Fund, Xi said, highlighting the construction of ports, high speed railways, airports and coastal economic special zones as well as the ship-building sector. Xi said China would also encourage more Chinese enterprises to join Indonesia’s development drive and was ready to expand two-way investment. China will support Indonesia in its c o m m e m o ra t ive eve n t s fo r t h e 6 0 t h anniversary of the Bandung Conference, which Xi will attend, and will work closely with the Indonesian side to promote mutual understanding among Asian and African countries, deepen South-South cooperation and achieve common development, according to the Chinese president. For his part, Joko said China was a close friend of Indonesia and that they, along with all other major developing countries, should play a bigger role in international affairs. Joko called on all countries to take advantage of the 70th anniversary of the victory of World War II to put an end to violence and resolve problems through dialogue. During the talks, Joko said Indonesia welcomed Chinese participation in infrastructure construction. The visiting president also hoped bilateral trade will reach 150 billion U.S. dollars by 2020. The two sides agreed to further promote tourism cooperation to reach the annual target of over 2 million exchange visits. Xi and Joko witnessed the signing of a string of deals on trade, infrastructure construction, aviation, taxation, and search and rescue at sea. Prior to their talks, Xi held a red carpet ceremony to welcome the Indonesian president.

43

44 2015 Boao Forum for Asia

News From China April 2015

Boao Forum Opens to Push Asian Development, Integration Boao, Hainan, March 26 (Xinhua) — The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) began on Thursday in the southern island province of Hainan. The four-day event attracts nearly 1,800 delegates from governments and businesses worldwide, i n c l u d i n g a re c o rd number of leaders from 15 foreign countries, in addition to more than 1,000 media staff. Business　 Roundtable　 with　 the　 theme　 of　 ＂ Innovate　 and　 President Xi Jinping A Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Cross-Straits　 Benefit　 All：　 A　 New　 Future　 of　 Cross－ Straits　 Economic　 Cooperation＂　 is　 held　 during　 the　 ２０１５　 BFA　 in　 is scheduled to give a Boao，　 south　 China＇ s　 Hainan　 Province，　 March　 ２９，　 ２０１５．　 （ Xinhua／ Guo　 Cheng） keynote speech at the development via cooperation. opening ceremony. The BFA will highlight the opportunities the Under the theme of “Asia’s New Future: initiatives will offer to multinationals, the coTowards a Community of Common Destiny”, construction of the routes and the topics will span issues such as the Chinaestablishment of the Asian Infrastructure proposed “Belt and Road” initiatives to Asia’s Investment Bank (AIIB), which will be formally economic integration. established by the year end. “BELT AND ROAD” PLAN Britain, Germany and many Asian The “Belt and Road” initiatives will be a hot economies have expressed the willingness to be topic at the gathering. involved in the AIIB. The bank currently has 27 Xi proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt founding members and expects more. and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road during The AIIB aims to facilitate infrastructure his visits to Central and Southeastern Asia in investment in Asia and will be complementary 2013. to established multilateral banks. The initiatives have attracted the attention “As the initiatives are gradually realized, of the international community and have they will have knock-on effects, which will received a warm response from the countries narrow regional gaps and accelerate involved. integration,” Zhou said. Zhou Wenzhong, secretary-general of the Asia remains the most dynamic region in the BFA, said the initiatives would promote world, contributing over half of global economic regional and global economic exchange and growth. However, many Asian economies,

News From China April 2015

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

including China, must undertake structural various risks such as territorial disputes reform amid downward pressure. between nations and terrorism. If not properly The Asian Development Bank forecast that handled, the region’s development will be developing economies in the region will stifled. maintain 6.3 percent year on year growth in 2015, but will have to cope with uncertainties from the United States’ rising rates, easing policies of Japan and the European Union and volatile crude oil prices. The largest economy in the region, China, is attempting to develop its growth pattern transformation amid the “new normal” economic A sub-forum with the theme of "Transcending the Cold-War Mentality: A Fresh Outlook on Security Architecture in the Asia Pacific" is held during the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in period, which features Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 29, 2015. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) medium-high level growth, and will forge The forum voices China’s stance on Asian a h e a d w i t h re fo r m , o p e n i n g u p a n d and global issues and expresses significant technological innovation. messages on China’s development, director of COMMUNITY OF COMMON DESTINY C h i n a h a s a d h e re d to a p e a c e f u l development path. “We hope to promote the consensus and voice of Asia. No matter how complicated our disputes are, our common interests and future cannot be divided,” said Yang Xiyu, vice president of BFA Research Institute. The “Belt and Road” initiatives have secured the support of nearly 60 countries linked by the routes. China created a 40 billion U.S. dollar Silk Road Fund designed to finance the initiatives last year. “The multilateral non-governmental exchange platform will make more people understand the essence of the Belt and Road plan,” said Yang. Despite its growth prospects, Asia has

the China (Hainan) Institute for Reform and Development, Chi Fulin said on Thursday. “Bracing for a new world economic structure, new topics will push forward Asian integration as a community of common destiny,” Chi said. Asia will remain one of the world’s most important regions in 10 to 20 years and should combine its development with the global trend, Chi said. China’s proposals suggest that it is shouldering more responsibility as a great power, Chi said. Chi expects the BFA will be more open to the world and sees a future where western countries will participate in the forum. “Asia cannot develop without other parts of the world, which closely watch Asia’s progress,” Chi said.

45

46 2015 Boao Forum for Asia

News From China April 2015

A-Z of 2015 Boao Forum for Asia in Spotlight Boao, Hainan, March 26 (Xinhua) — The annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) kicked off on Thursday in China’s Boao town, southern Hainan Province. The following are big talking points arranged in alphabetical order compiled by Xinhua. A|AIIB The China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) braces for a pivot point on March 31, the application deadline for prospective founding members. Already, western countries including Britain, Germany, France and Italy expressed willingness to be a part of it. The bank currently has 27 founding members and expects more to join. The AIIB aims to facilitate infrastructure investment in Asia and will be complementary to established multilateral banks. B|Boao Boao, a semi-fishing and semi-farming town, is the permanent venue for BFA conference and has become an Asian version of “Davos”. Meetings and dialogues on Asia’s development are held there every spring. The BFA, formally inaugurated on February 27, 2001, is the first Asia-led forum to promote and deepen the economic exchange and cooperation within the region and between Asia and other parts of the world. C|Community of Common Destiny The theme of the annual conference in 2015 is “Asia’s New Future: Towards a Community of Common Destiny” , voicing a shared desire of Asian economies embrace common prosperity by putting aside disputes and making joint efforts amid economic hardships. The forum will discuss how to intensify cooperation in multiple fields to face challenges and tap opportunities, prompting Asia to thrive in the new future. D|Diplomacy The BFA’s 2015 annual conference will be a grand stage for diplomacy. So far, 15 foreign

government leaders have confirmed attendance to the conference including non-Asian countries Armenia, Austria, Netherlands, Russia, Tanzania and Zambia. During the period, China’ s bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activities deserve close attention. E|Entrepreneurs The forum has attracted more than two fifths of the Fortune 500 companies, with executives attending to talk about entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. A series of CEO dialogues will be held between Chinese enterprises and their counterparts from Australia, the United States, the European Union and Japan respectively. F|Financial policy Topics on finance and policies including “the next financial crisis”, shadow banking and new forces in multilateral financial organizations will be highlights. Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s Bank of China, Joachim Nagel, member of the Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank, and Carlos Gutierrez, former Secretary of Commerce, will discuss monetary policy and world economic outlook. G|Global governance Global governance will be a hot topic at the forum. China’s Finance Minister, Lou Jiwei will discuss with heads of the International Monetary Funds, World Bank and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development to make G20 better play its role in global economic governance. H|Housing market The property sector drove China’s economic growth in the past decade but faces increasing risk as investment chills. With property taxes in the pipeline and a national registration system soon in place, speculative capital is leaving the scene. Where is the sector heading? Officials, experts and developers will tell you.

News From China April 2015

I|Innovation Innovation and technology will be another hot topic this time. Bill Gates, Co-chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors and Robin Li, CEO of Baidu will discuss the significance of innovation for a sustainable future. Dialogues on big data, wearable devices, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and new energy vehicles are also expected. J|Judiciary It is the first time that judiciary becomes a part of the forum. China’s Chief Justice Zhou Qiang will attend the BRICS’s Chief Justices Dialogue on pollution control. K|Knowledge The conference this year contains more than 70 dialogues on nearly all major topics. The BFA has published Progress of Asian Economic Integration Annual Report, Asian C o m p e t i t ive n e s s A n n u a l Re p o r t a n d Development of Emerging Economies Annual Report. The BFA will release the 2015 Asian Economy Forward-looking Indicator on Friday, with two other reports on rural finance and Internet finance expected. L|Leaders Record number of government leaders will attend the BFA annual conference this year. But magnates of other fields will share their spotlight. Among them are Bill Gates, Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons Ltd., Li Yang, vice president of China Academy of Social Sciences, Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, Ming-Chu Fung, president of Taipei Palace Museum, and Thomas Friedman, author of The World is Flat. M|Miracle Asia never lacks miracles. From the East Asian Miracle to China’s stunning growth, the regions awed the world in recent 30 years. Whether the miracles can last is closely watched by the world. Justin Yifu Lin, witness of the development and renowned economist, will address on the topic at the conference.

2015 Boao Forum for Asia

N|New normal Buzz word “new normal” has become a widely-recognized description for China’s policy making and economic outlook amid slowing global recovery. As the world’s second largest economy, largest exporter and the third largest global investor, China’s move in this new period will bring significant changes to the world. The forum will serve as a window to show the new term to the world. O|Outlook “Outlook” will be a major perspective to interpret economic and social development. The outlook of multilateral investment agreements, “the next financial crisis” and unconventional monetary policy will be highlighted in dialogues. The BFA Board of Directors will discuss global economic outlook of 2015 and Asia’s prospects under the background of the slowing recovery. P|Pollution Po l l u t i o n c o n t ro l h a s b e c o m e a n increasingly urgent matter for rapidly-growing Asian economies after modernization progressed at the cost of the environment. The forum will try to tackle pollution by the power of judiciary with help of BRICS’s Chief Justices. Other topics include smog and health, underground water, soil pollution and rehabilitation and sustainable development. Q|Question What is the role Asia will play in the global recovery? Will it maintain a robust economic engine despite external uncertainties? Can China continue to lead emerging economies? These questions will be asked with leaders and thinkers attempting to answer. R|Regional cooperation Regional cooperation has remained a focus of the forum in recent years. This year it will highlight the “Belt and Road” initiatives, collaboration with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Community of a Common Destiny. The Year of China-ASEAN

47

News From China April 2015

48 Reviving the Silk Road

Maritime Cooperation will also be launched during the period. S|Silk Road A l o n g - ex p e c te d n a t i o n a l p l a n to materialize the China-led “Belt and Road” initiatives will likely be unveiled during the forum. The AIIB and Silk Road Fund will facilitate the initiatives which have been supported by more than 50 countries and regions along the routes. The planned Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road was p ro p o s e d i n 2 0 1 3 a n d w i l l i m p rove infrastructure and facilitate connectivity to lay the foundation of a prosperous Asia. T|Transformation Transformation is a key word at the conference. This year, it will focus on transformation of the “new normal” for the Chinese economy, exporters’ transformation and Hong Kong’s trade and logistics upgrade. From enterprises to economies, “transformation” has been pivot to adjust to a changing external circumstance. U|Urbanization Like China, which is in the middle of urbanization, most of Asian countries are groping for their own paths and facing respective challenges. Attendees will discuss urbanization of rural laborers in cities and agriculture against the backdrop. V|Virus From the Black Death to HIV, SARS to Ebola, viruses have influenced human civilization on

unexpected scales and in ways medical technology, whether advanced or lagging, could not influence. Scholars, businessmen and officials will discuss the possibility of setting up a global early-warning system to detect new diseases and the unexpected spread of the old ones. W|World economy The global economy may have got through the worst, but downward pressures and risks still loom at large. The BFA will discuss Asia’s role in driving world economic growth. X|Xi Jinping It will be the second appearance for President Xi at BFA’s annual conference after he became the country’s top leader. His keynote speech is expected to have profound influence on regional cooperation. Y|Yasuo Fukuda Chairman of the BFA, the former Prime Minister of Japan will give welcoming remarks at the opening plenary on March 28 and talk about East Asian Economic Community at a dinner party the same day. Z|Zones Four free trade zones (FTZ) in Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangdong and Fujian have unveiled China exploration of a feasible path to push reform, open up and seek the right balance between government and market. The progress is significant to trade and cooperation with neighboring regions including the ASEAN economies.

REVIVING THE SILK ROAD

　　　 “Belt and　 Road”：　 Not　 China＇ s　 Solo But Inspiring Chorus Boao, China, March 28 (Xinhua) — The “Belt and Road” initiatives will not be a solo for China but a real chorus comprising all countries along the routes, Chinese President Xi Jinping said

Saturday. Xi made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the opening plenary of the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia in

News From China April 2015

Reviving the Silk Road

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

this small town in south China’s Hainan Province. The “Belt and Road” initiatives, aimed at meeting the development needs of China, countries along the routes and the region at large, will serve the common interests of relevant parties and answer the call of the times for regional and global cooperation, Xi said. Noting that the initiatives will be carried out following principles of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, Xi said the “Belt and Road” will be built on existing basis to help countries align their development strategies and form complementarity, with no intention of replacing existing mechanisms or initiatives for regional cooperation. Stressing that the “Belt and Road” initiatives and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are both open initiatives, Xi said all countries along the routes in Asia, as well as China’s friends and partners around the world,

are welcomed to take an active part in these endeavors. The “Belt and Road” initiatives, namely, the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, were put forward by Xi during his visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia in 2013. The Silk Road Economic Belt is to be established along the ancient Silk Road trade route, stretching northwest from China’s coastal area through Central Asia on to Europe, while the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will run from China’s south to Southeast Asia and even Africa. The vision, once realized, will directly benefit 4.4 billion people, or 63 percent of the global population. So far, more than 60 countries along the routes and international organizations have shown interest in taking part in the two initiatives.

49

News From China April 2015

50 Reviving the Silk Road

Jointly Build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road By Deepening Mutual Trust and Enhancing Connectivity 　 Speech by State Councilor Yang Jiechi At the Session of "Jointly Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road" And Launching of the Year of China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation 28 March 2015

It is my pleasure to join you at this session. This auditorium reminds me of last year’s session on the silk road, which sparked lively discussions among so many attendants. This year, the session on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road has touched off more extensive discussions by even more participants, which fully testifies to the appeal and influence of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. I believe the fact that we are having the discussion in the beautiful province of Hainan, a place surrounded by the sea, gives our meeting

exceptional significance. On behalf of the Chinese government, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations on the opening of this session and the launching of the Year of ChinaASEAN Maritime Cooperation and my heartfelt welcome to all the distinguished guests from other countries and friends of various sectors. The Silk Road has long been known for its overland and maritime routes since the ancient times. The two routes complemented each other with flying colors, adding a brilliant chapter to the annals of human civilization.

News From China April 2015

The ancient maritime Silk Road was opened and operated by the people of Asia, Europe and Africa. For hundreds of years, a large number of ports thrived along the coastlines on the West Pacific, the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Calling on these ports were not only ships carrying silk, but also those loaded with porcelain, ironware, spices, precious stones and books. Crew and passengers included Chinese, Europeans, people from Southeast and South Asia, Arabs and Africans, who came to each other’s aid readily as travellers in the same boat. In the early 15th century, the great Chinese navigator Zheng He who led the world’s biggest fleet at the time on a total of seven expeditions, reaching as far as East Africa, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. They did not invade, colonize or swindle, but went for trade along with spreading amity and cracking down on piracy. Zheng He’s fleet received welcome and assistance from the countries along the route and touching stories about Zheng He are still being told to this day. In 2013, President Xi Jinping put forward the major “Belt and Road” initiative. Countries and people along the route have applauded it. We all agree to make the building of a community of common destiny for win-win cooperation the goal of our endeavor. And we all agree to move forward the building of overland and maritime silk roads in tandem. Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is the continuation and development of the ancient maritime Silk Road. What we want to continue pushing forward is the Silk Road spirit featuring peace, friendship, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. What we want is to properly design cooperation pivots and economic corridors on the sea for all-round maritime cooperation in this age of economic globalization and multipolarity. While upholding its own maritime rights and interests, China stands ready to work together with other countries to build maritime partnerships of win-win cooperation. Thanks to the joint efforts of China and

Reviving the Silk Road

some other countries in the past year and more, the building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road has made steady headway and entered a new stage of practical cooperation. China held a successful APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting. Good progress has been made in the development of China-Laos and China-Vietnam cross-border economic cooperation zones, the China-Laos railway project, the railway project in Thailand, and the stage II dredging of international waterways of the LancangMekong River. China and Kazakhstan have jointly launched the logistics terminal at Lianyungang. China has worked with Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Greece respectively in deepening cooperation on port construction and operation. China has engaged in active discussions with ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council and Sri Lanka on establishing or upgrading FTA, and signed agreements with Indonesia and others on industrial park cooperation. The Qinzhou Industrial Park and the Kuantan Industrial Park jointly created by China and Malaysia are good examples for such cooperation. China has also carried out a variety of ocean-related cooperation with Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka while steadily pushing multiple projects supported by the ChinaASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund and the China-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation Fund. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road foresees an extensive and open-ended coverage. Linking European and Asia-Pacific economic rims across four oceans, the Road focuses on the Southeast Asian countries, connects South Asia, West Asia and some African and European countries and naturally extends to the South Pacific. All countries around the world, international organizations, multinational corporations, NGOs and all ocean-loving people from various sectors can join and play a constructive part in its development. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will present a rich and colorful program of cooperation. In addition to maritime transport and resource development, it will involve

51

52

Reviving the Silk Road

research, environmental protection, tourism, disaster reduction and prevention, law enforcement cooperation and people-to-people exchanges on the sea. Not only will it look at the development of the blue economy and building of oceanic economic demonstration zones offshore, it will also build onshore industrial parks, marine science and technology parks and training bases for ocean-related personnel. Not only will we go utilizing the oceanic resources, we will also protect well our oceanic environment. Not only should we deliver a good life to our people along the coast, we should also bring about an interconnected development of the hinterland and coastal regions to achieve common prosperity. As for how to advance the development of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, China is ready to listen to suggestions and proposals from other countries, ASEAN countries included. As I see it, a good job in this regard requires that we bear in our mind three key words. The first word is mutual trust. Asia on the whole enjoys stability with relations between countries growing steadily. Of course, there is the need for some neighbors to further enhance trust and dispel misgivings. Asian countries enjoy bright propects for win-win cooperation. Let us take forward our maritime cooperation with confidence and sicerity. And through building the Maritime Silk Road, we can deepen our mutual trust and work together to maintain peace and development in the region. Let me reiterate here that as the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road focuses mainly on economic and people-to-people cooperation,it will not, in principle, involve issues of controversy. The “Belt and Road” initiative is consistent with the principles of China’s neighborhood diplomacy, namely, affinity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is by no means a tool for any country to seek geopolitical advantages. Rather, it is a public good for all countries. It will tolerate no monopoly or coercion of whatever form. Rather, everyone is

News From China April 2015

equally treated while business is conducted through consultation. The second word is connectivity. Countries along the Belt and Road differ in national conditions and vary greatly in level of maritime development and protection. It is neither realistic nor advisable to measure them against the same set of ideas, plans and model of cooperation. One of the original features of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is its much stressed connectivity. It is not about one party accepting the plan made by another or one party following the rules set by another. It is instead an exercise of looking for common ground and areas of cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, leading to the formulation of a joint plan. Connectivity is needed in many areas. Take connectivity of development strategies for example. President Joko Widodo of Indonesia has talked about building a maritime power with a maritime highway. This is very much in line with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative. Maritime cooperation, therefore, is becoming a new engine for the bilateral cooperation between China and Indonesia. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road can also be aligned with the blueprints for the ASEAN Community. Next, with respect to project and enterprise matching. Quite a few Asian and European c o u n t r i e s a re s t e p p i n g u p p o r t a n d infrastructure development, expanding shipping, fishing and fish processing industries and planning industrial parks, special zones, bonded areas and free trade zones near their ports. There are many such projects in the pipeline and with good market prospects. Chinese companies have both experience and capability in these fields. We suggest that our governments facilitate business partnerships by helping our enterprises to match up their projects so that they can complement each other while sharing risks and gains. There is also a need for institutional connectivity. The region already abounds with bilateral and multilateral mechanisms and

News From China April 2015

Reviving the Silk Road

platforms on maritime cooperation. In addition to Boao Forum for Asia, we have ASEAN Plus China, APEC, ESCAP and so on. It is necessary to enhance communication and coordination among these mechanisms so as to improve integration of resources and collaboration on the basis of proper division of labor. The third word is early harvest. Only when countries along the route reap the benefit from the development of the Maritime Silk Road at an early date will they become more enthusiastically involved. China hopes to work with countries along the route in identifying some demonstration projects, getting them started once conditions are ripe so that results can be gained at an early date. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to conclude without delay an inter-governmental cooperation document on jointly building the Maritime Silk Road, and start to draw up cooperation plans and identify key cooperation projects. This year is the Year of China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation. China and ASEAN countries will carry out practical cooperation on marine economy, maritime connectivity, marine science research and environmental protection, safety and security, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges on the sea. We will open a China-ASEAN maritime cooperation

center, set up a China-ASEAN maritime emergency helpline, and launch the ChinaASEAN Ocean College. Today, we are gathered here to launch the Year of Maritime Cooperation and kick off the year’s events. We hope that maritime cooperation will become yet another new highlight and a new engine for the growing China-ASEAN relations and the all-dimensional maritime cooperation between China and ASEAN will become a model for the development of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. This morning, President Xi pointed out in his speech at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual conference 2015 that the “Belt and Road” initiative follows the principles of wide consultations, joint contribution and shared benefits. It will be a real chorus comprising all countries along the routes and represents real work that can be seen and felt. It is bringing and will continue to bring tangible benefits to countries in the region. We look forward to seeing more friends join in the building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in various ways. I sincerely hope and truly believe that all of us will seize this opportunity and work in concert towards the promising prospects of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Thank you.

Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, with State Council Authorization March 2015 First Edition 2015

Preface More than two millennia ago the diligent and courageous people of Eurasia explored and

opened up several routes of trade and cultural exchanges that linked the major civilizations of Asia, Europe and Africa, collectively called the

53

54

Reviving the Silk Road

News From China April 2015

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

Silk Road by later generations. For thousands of years, the Silk Road Spirit – “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit” – has been passed from generation to generation, promoted the progress of human civilization, and contributed greatly to the prosperity and development of the countries along the Silk Road. Symbolizing communication and cooperation between the East and the West, the Silk Road Spirit is a historic and cultural heritage shared by all countries around the world. In the 21st century, a new era marked by the theme of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, it is all the more important for us to carry on the Silk Road Spirit in face of the weak recovery of the global economy, and complex international and regional situations. When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Central Asia and Southeast Asia in September

and October of 2013, he raised the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (hereinafter referred to as the Belt and Road), which have attracted close attention from all over the world. At the China-ASEAN Expo in 2013, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasized the need to build the Maritime Silk Road oriented towards ASEAN, and to create strategic propellers for hinterland development. Accelerating the building of the Belt and Road can help promote the economic prosperity of the countries along the Belt and Road and regional economic cooperation, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations, and promote world peace and development. It is a great undertaking that will benefit people around the world. The Belt and Road Initiative is a systematic project, which should be jointly built through consultation to meet the interests of all, and

News From China April 2015

efforts should be made to integrate the development strategies of the countries along the Belt and Road. The Chinese government has drafted and published the Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road to promote the implementation of the Initiative, instill vigor and vitality into the ancient Silk Road, connect Asian, European and African countries more closely and promote mutually beneficial cooperation to a new high and in new forms. I. Background Complex and profound changes are taking place in the world. The underlying impact of the international financial crisis keeps emerging; the world economy is recovering slowly, and global development is uneven; the international trade and investment landscape and rules for multilateral trade and investment are undergoing major adjustments; and countries still face big challenges to their development. The initiative to jointly build the Belt and

Reviving the Silk Road

Road, embracing the trend towards a multipolar world, economic globalization, cultural diversity and greater IT application, is designed to uphold the global free trade regime and the open world economy in the spirit of open regional cooperation. It is aimed at promoting orderly and free flow of economic factors, highly efficient allocation of resources and deep integration of markets; encouraging the countries along the Belt and Road to achieve economic policy coordination and carry out b ro a d e r a n d m o re i n - d e p t h re g i o n a l cooperation of higher standards; and jointly creating an open, inclusive and balanced regional economic cooperation architecture that benefits all. Jointly building the Belt and Road is in the interests of the world community. Reflecting the common ideals and pursuit of human societies, it is a positive endeavor to seek new models of international cooperation and global governance, and will inject new positive energy into world peace and development. The Belt and Road Initiative aims to promote

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

55

56

News From China April 2015

Reviving the Silk Road

the connectivity of Asian, European and African continents and their adjacent seas, establish and strengthen partnerships among the countries along the Belt and Road, set up alldimensional, multi-tiered and composite connectivity networks, and realize diversified, independent, balanced and sustainable development in these countries. The connectivity projects of the Initiative will help

pattern of all-round opening-up, and integrate itself deeper into the world economic system. The Initiative will enable China to further expand and deepen its opening-up, and to strengthen its mutually beneficial cooperation with countries in Asia, Europe and Africa and the rest of the world. China is committed to shouldering more responsibilities and obligations within its capabilities, and making

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

align and coordinate the development strategies of the countries along the Belt and Road, tap market potential in this region, promote investment and consumption, create demands and job opportunities, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and mutual learning among the peoples of the relevant countries, and enable them to understand, trust and respect each other and live in harmony, peace and prosperity. China’s economy is closely connected with the world economy. China will stay committed to the basic policy of opening-up, build a new

greater contributions to the peace and development of mankind. II. Principles The Belt and Road Initiative is in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It upholds the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. The Initiative is open for cooperation. It covers, but is not limited to, the area of the

News From China April 2015

Reviving the Silk Road

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

ancient Silk Road. It is open to all countries, and international and regional organizations for engagement, so that the results of the concerted efforts will benefit wider areas. The Initiative is harmonious and inclusive. It advocates tolerance among civilizations, respects the paths and modes of development chosen by different countries, and supports dialogues among different civilizations on the principles of seeking common ground while shelving differences and drawing on each other’s strengths, so that all countries can coexist in peace for common prosperity. The Initiative follows market operation. It will abide by market rules and international norms, give play to the decisive role of the market in resource allocation and the primary role of enterprises, and let the governments perform their due functions. The Initiative seeks mutual benefit. It accommodates the interests and concerns of all parties involved, and seeks a conjunction of

interests and the “biggest common denominator” for cooperation so as to give full play to the wisdom and creativity, strengths and potentials of all parties. III. Framework The Belt and Road Initiative is a way for winwin cooperation that promotes common development and prosperity and a road towards peace and friendship by enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and strengthening allround exchanges. The Chinese government advocates peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. It promotes practical cooperation in all fields, and works to build a community of shared interests, destiny and responsibility featuring mutual political trust, economic integration and cultural inclusiveness. The Belt and Road run through the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, connecting the vibrant East Asia economic

57

58

Reviving the Silk Road

circle at one end and developed European economic circle at the other, and encompassing countries with huge potential for economic development. The Silk Road Economic Belt focuses on bringing together China, Central Asia, Russia and Europe (the Baltic); linking China with the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea through Central Asia and West Asia; and connecting China with Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Indian Ocean. The 21stCentury Maritime Silk Road is designed to go from China’s coast to Europe through the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean in one route, and from China’s coast through the South China Sea to the South Pacific in the other. On land, the Initiative will focus on jointly building a new Eurasian Land Bridge and developing China-Mongolia-Russia, ChinaCentral Asia-West Asia and China-Indochina Peninsula economic corridors by taking advantage of international transport routes, relying on core cities along the Belt and Road

News From China April 2015

and using key economic industrial parks as cooperation platforms. At sea, the Initiative will focus on jointly building smooth, secure and efficient transport routes connecting major sea ports along the Belt and Road. The ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor are closely related to the Belt and Road Initiative, and therefore require closer cooperation and greater progress. The Initiative is an ambitious economic vision of the opening-up of and cooperation among the countries along the Belt and Road. Countries should work in concert and move towards the objectives of mutual benefit and common security. To be specific, they need to improve the region’s infrastructure, and put in place a secure and efficient network of land, sea and air passages, lifting their connectivity to a higher level; further enhance trade and investment facilitation, establish a network of free trade areas that meet high standards,

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

News From China April 2015

Reviving the Silk Road

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

maintain closer economic ties, and deepen political trust; enhance cultural exchanges; encourage different civilizations to learn from each other and flourish together; and promote mutual understanding, peace and friendship among people of all countries. IV. Cooperation Priorities Countries along the Belt and Road have their own resource advantages and their economies are mutually complementary. Therefore, there is a great potential and space for cooperation. They should promote policy c o o rd i n a t i o n , f a c i l i t i e s c o n n e c t iv i t y, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds as their five major goals, and strengthen cooperation in the following key areas: Policy coordination Enhancing policy coordination is an important guarantee for implementing the Initiative. We should promote inter-

governmental cooperation, build a multi-level intergovernmental macro policy exchange and communication mechanism, expand shared interests, enhance mutual political trust, and reach new cooperation consensus. Countries along the Belt and Road may fully coordinate their economic development strategies and policies, work out plans and measures for regional cooperation, negotiate to solve cooperation-related issues, and jointly provide policy support for the implementation of practical cooperation and large-scale projects. Facilities connectivity Facilities connectivity is a priority area for implementing the Initiative. On the basis of respecting each other’s sovereignty and security concerns, countries along the Belt and Road should improve the connectivity of their infrastructure construction plans and technical standard systems, jointly push forward the construction of international trunk passageways, and form an infrastructure

59

60

Reviving the Silk Road

News From China April 2015

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

network connecting all sub-regions in Asia, and between Asia, Europe and Africa step by step. At the same time, efforts should be made to promote green and low-carbon infrastructure construction and operation management, taking into full account the impact of climate change on the construction. With regard to transport infrastructure construction, we should focus on the key passageways, junctions and projects, and give priority to linking up unconnected road sections, removing transport bottlenecks, advancing road safety facilities and traffic management facilities and equipment, and improving road network connectivity. We should build a unified coordination mechanism for whole-course transportation, increase connectivity of customs clearance, reloading and multimodal transport between countries, and gradually formulate compatible and standard transport rules, so as to realize international transport facilitation. We should

push forward port infrastructure construction, build smooth land-water transportation channels, and advance port cooperation; increase sea routes and the number of voyages, a n d e n h a n c e i n fo r m a t i o n te c h n o l o g y cooperation in maritime logistics. We should expand and build platforms and mechanisms for comprehensive civil aviation cooperation, and quicken our pace in improving aviation infrastructure. We should promote cooperation in the connectivity of energy infrastructure, work in concert to ensure the security of oil and gas pipelines and other transport routes, build cross-border power supply networks and power-transmission routes, and cooperate in regional power grid upgrading and transformation. We should jointly advance the construction of cross-border optical cables and other communications trunk line networks, improve international communications connectivity,

News From China April 2015

and create an Information Silk Road. We should build bilateral cross-border optical cable networks at a quicker pace, plan transcontinental submarine optical cable projects, and improve spatial (satellite) i n f o r m a t i o n p a s s a g e way s t o e x p a n d information exchanges and cooperation. Unimpeded trade Investment and trade cooperation is a major task in building the Belt and Road. We should strive to improve investment and trade facilitation, and remove investment and trade barriers for the creation of a sound business environment within the region and in all related countries. We will discuss with countries and regions along the Belt and Road on opening free trade areas so as to unleash the potential for expanded cooperation. Countries along the Belt and Road should enhance customs cooperation such as information exchange, mutual recognition of regulations, and mutual assistance in law e n f o r c e m e n t ; i m p r o ve b i l a t e ra l a n d multilateral cooperation in the fields of inspection and quarantine, certification and accreditation, standard measurement, and statistical information; and work to ensure that the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement takes effect and is implemented. We should improve the customs clearance facilities of border ports, establish a “single-window” in border ports, reduce customs clearance costs, and improve customs clearance capability. We should increase cooperation in supply chain safety and convenience, improve the coordination of cross-border supervision procedures, promote online checking of inspection and quarantine certificates, and facilitate mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators. We should lower non-tariff barriers, jointly improve the transparency of technical trade measures, and enhance trade liberalization and facilitation. We should expand trading areas, improve trade structure, explore new growth areas of

Reviving the Silk Road

trade, and promote trade balance. We should make innovations in our forms of trade, and develop cross-border e-commerce and other modern business models. A service trade support system should be set up to consolidate and expand conventional trade, and efforts to develop modern service trade should be strengthened. We should integrate investment and trade, and promote trade through investment. We should speed up investment facilitation, eliminate investment barriers, and push forward negotiations on bilateral investment protection agreements and double taxation avoidance agreements to protect the lawful rights and interests of investors. We should expand mutual investment areas, deepen cooperation in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries, agricultural machinery manufacturing and farm produce processing, and promote cooperation in marine-product farming, deep-sea fishing, aquatic product processing, seawater desalination, marine biopharmacy, ocean engineering technology, environmental protection industries, marine tourism and other fields. We should increase cooperation in the exploration and development of coal, oil, gas, metal minerals and other conventional energy sources; advance cooperation in hydropower, nuclear power, wind power, solar power and other clean, renewable energy sources; and promote cooperation in the processing and conversion of energy and resources at or near places where they are exploited, so as to create an integrated industrial chain of energy and resource cooperation. We should enhance cooperation in deep-processing technology, equipment and engineering services in the fields of energy and resources. We should push forward cooperation in emerging industries. In accordance with the principles of mutual complementarity and mutual benefit, we should promote in-depth cooperation with other countries along the Belt

61

News From China April 2015

62 Reviving the Silk Road

and Road in new-generation information technology, biotechnology, new energy technology, new materials and other emerging industries, and establish entrepreneurial and investment cooperation mechanisms. We should improve the division of labor and distribution of industrial chains by encouraging the entire industrial chain and related industries to develop in concert; establish R&D, production and marketing systems; and improve industrial supporting capacity and the overall competitiveness of regional industries. We should increase the openness of our service industry to each other to accelerate the development of regional service industries. We should explore a new mode of investment cooperation, working together to build all forms of industrial parks such as overseas economic and trade cooperation zones and cross-border economic cooperation zones, and promote industrial cluster development. We should promote ecological progress in conducting investment and trade, increase cooperation in conserving eco-environment,

protecting biodiversity, and tackling climate change, and join hands to make the Silk Road an environment-friendly one. We welcome companies from all countries to invest in China, and encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in infrastructure construction in other countries along the Belt and Road, and make industrial investments there. We support localized operation and management of Chinese companies to boost the local economy, increase local employment, improve local livelihood, and take social responsibilities in protecting local biodiversity and eco-environment. Financial integration Financial integration is an important underpinning for implementing the Belt and Road Initiative. We should deepen financial cooperation, and make more efforts in building a currency stability system, investment and financing system and credit information system in Asia. We should expand the scope and scale of bilateral currency swap and settlement with

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

News From China April 2015

other countries along the Belt and Road, open and develop the bond market in Asia, make joint efforts to establish the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and BRICS New Development Bank, conduct negotiation among related parties on establishing Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) financing institution, and set up and put into operation the Silk Road Fund as early as possible. We should strengthen practical cooperation of China-ASEAN Interbank Association and SCO Interbank Association, and carry out multilateral financial cooperation in the form of syndicated loans and bank credit. We will support the efforts of governments of the countries along the Belt and Road and their companies and financial institutions with good credit-rating to issue Renminbi bonds in China. Qualified Chinese financial institutions and companies are encouraged to issue bonds in both Renminbi and foreign currencies outside China, and use the funds thus collected in countries along the Belt and Road. We should strengthen financial regulation cooperation, encourage the signing of MOUs on cooperation in bilateral financial regulation, and establish an efficient regulation coordination mechanism in the region. We should improve the system of risk response and crisis management, build a regional financial risk early-warning system, and create an exchange and cooperation mechanism of addressing cross-border risks and crisis. We should increase cross-border exchange and cooperation between credit investigation regulators, credit investigation institutions and credit rating institutions. We should give full play to the role of the Silk Road Fund and that of sovereign wealth funds of countries along the Belt and Road, and encourage commercial equity investment funds and private funds to participate in the construction of key projects of the Initiative. People-to-people bond People-to-people bond provides the public

Reviving the Silk Road

support for implementing the Initiative. We should carry forward the spirit of friendly cooperation of the Silk Road by promoting extensive cultural and academic exchanges, personnel exchanges and cooperation, media cooperation, youth and women exchanges and volunteer services, so as to win public support for deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation. We should send more students to each other’s countries, and promote cooperation in jointly running schools. China provides 10,000 government scholarships to the countries along the Belt and Road every year. We should hold culture years, arts festivals, film festivals, TV weeks and book fairs in each other’s countries; cooperate on the production and translation of fine films, radio and TV programs; and jointly apply for and protect World Cultural Heritage sites. We should also increase personnel exchange and cooperation between countries along the Belt and Road. We should enhance cooperation in and expand the scale of tourism; hold tourism promotion weeks and publicity months in each other’s countries; jointly create competitive international tourist routes and products with Silk Road features; and make it more convenient to apply for tourist visa in countries along the Belt and Road. We should push forward cooperation on the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road cruise tourism program. We should carry out sports exchanges and support countries along the Belt and Road in their bid for hosting major international sports events. We should strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries on epidemic information sharing, the exchange of prevention and treatment technologies and the training of medical professionals, and improve our capability to jointly address public health emergencies. We will provide medical assistance and emergency medical aid to relevant countries, and carry out practical cooperation in maternal and child health,

63

64 Reviving the Silk Road

News From China April 2015

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

disability rehabilitation, and major infectious diseases including AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. We will also expand cooperation on traditional medicine. We should increase our cooperation in science and technology, establish joint labs (or research centers), international technology transfer centers and maritime cooperation centers, promote sci-tech personnel exchanges, cooperate in tackling key sci-tech problems, and work together to improve sci-tech innovation capability. We should integrate existing resources to expand and advance practical cooperation between countries along the Belt and Road on youth employment, entrepreneurship training, vocational skill development, social security management, public administration and management and in other areas of common interest. We should give full play to the bridging role of communication between political parties and parliaments, and promote friendly exchanges between legislative bodies, major political

parties and political organizations of countries along the Belt and Road. We should carry out exchanges and cooperation among cities, encourage major cities in these countries to become sister cities, focus on promoting practical cooperation, particularly cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and create more lively examples of cooperation. We welcome the think tanks in the countries along the Belt and Road to jointly conduct research and hold forums. We should increase exchanges and cooperation between non-governmental organizations of countries along the Belt and Road, organize public interest activities concerning education, health care, poverty reduction, biodiversity and ecological protection for the benefit of the general public, and improve the production and living conditions of poverty-stricken areas along the Belt and Road. We should enhance international exchanges and cooperation on culture and media, and leverage the positive role of the Internet and new media tools to foster

News From China April 2015

harmonious and friendly cultural environment and public opinion. V. Cooperation Mechanisms The world economic integration is accelerating and regional cooperation is on the upswing. China will take full advantage of the existing bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms to push forward the building of the Belt and Road and to promote the development of regional cooperation. We should strengthen bilateral cooperation, and promote comprehensive development of bilateral relations through multi-level and multi-channel communication and consultation. We should encourage the signing of cooperation MOUs or plans, and develop a number of bilateral cooperation pilot projects. We should establish and improve bilateral joint working mechanisms, and draw up implementation plans and roadmaps for advancing the Belt and Road Initiative. In addition, we should give full play to the existing bilateral mechanisms such as joint committee, mixed committee, coordinating committee, steering committee and management committee to coordinate and promote the implementation of cooperation projects. We should enhance the role of multilateral cooperation mechanisms, make full use of existing mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), ASEAN Plus C h i n a ( 1 0 + 1 ) , A s i a - Pa c i f i c Ec o n o m i c Cooperation (APEC), Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Conference on Interaction and ConfidenceBuilding Measures in Asia (CICA), China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF), China-Gulf Cooperation Council Strategic Dialogue, Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Economic Cooperation, and Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) to strengthen communication with relevant countries, and attract more countries and regions to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Reviving the Silk Road

We should continue to encourage the constructive role of the international forums and exhibitions at regional and sub-regional levels hosted by countries along the Belt and Road, as well as such platforms as Boao Forum for Asia, China-ASEAN Expo, China-Eurasia Expo, Euro-Asia Economic Forum, China International Fair for Investment and Trade, China-South Asia Expo, China-Arab States Expo, Western China International Fair, China-Russia Expo, and Qianhai Cooperation Forum. We should support the local authorities and general public of countries along the Belt and Road to explore the historical and cultural heritage of the Belt and Road, jointly hold investment, trade and cultural exchange activities, and ensure the success of the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Culture Expo, Silk Road International Film Festival and Silk Road International Book Fair. We propose to set up an international summit forum on the Belt and Road Initiative. VI. China’s Regions in Pursuing Opening-Up In advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, China will fully leverage the comparative advantages of its various regions, adopt a proactive strategy of further opening-up, strengthen interaction and cooperation among the eastern, western and central regions, and comprehensively improve the openness of the Chinese economy. Northwestern and northeastern regions. We should make good use of Xinjiang’s geographic advantages and its role as a window of westward opening-up to deepen communication and cooperation with Central, South and West Asian countries, make it a key transportation, trade, logistics, culture, science and education center, and a core area on the Silk Road Economic Belt. We should give full scope to the economic and cultural strengths of Shaanxi and Gansu provinces and the ethnic and cultural advantages of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province, build Xi’an into a

65

News From China April 2015

66 Reviving the Silk Road

new focus of reform and opening-up in China’s interior, speed up the development and opening-up of cities such as Lanzhou and Xining, and advance the building of the Ningxia Inland Opening-up Pilot Economic Zone with the goal of creating strategic channels, trade and logistics hubs and key bases for industrial and cultural exchanges opening to Central, South and West Asian countries. We should give full play to Inner Mongolia’s proximity to Mongolia and Russia, improve the railway links connecting Heilongjiang Province with Russia and the regional railway network, strengthen cooperation between China’s Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces and Russia’s Far East region on sea-land multi-modal transport, and advance the construction of an Eurasian highspeed transport corridor linking Beijing and Moscow with the goal of building key windows opening to the north. Southwestern region. We should give full play to the unique advantage of Guangxi Zhuang

Autonomous Region as a neighbor of ASEAN countries, speed up the opening-up and development of the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone and the Pearl River-Xijiang Economic Zone, build an international corridor opening to the ASEAN region, create new strategic anchors for the opening-up and development of the southwest and mid-south regions of China, and form an important gateway connecting the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We should make good use of the geographic advantage of Yunnan Province, advance the construction of an international transport corridor connecting China with neighboring countries, develop a new highlight of economic cooperation in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, and make the region a pivot of China’s opening-up to South and Southeast Asia. We should promote the border trade and tourism and culture cooperation between Tibet Autonomous Region and neighboring countries such as Nepal.

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

News From China April 2015

Coastal regions, and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. We should leverage the strengths of the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, west coast of the Taiwan Straits, Bohai Rim, and other areas with economic zones boasting a high level of openness, robust economic strengths and strong catalytic role, speed up the development of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and support Fujian Province in becoming a core area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We should give full scope to the role of Qianhai (Shenzhen), Nansha (Guangzhou), Hengqin (Zhuhai) and Pingtan (Fujian) in opening-up and cooperation, deepen their cooperation with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and help to build the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Big Bay Area. We should promote the development of the Zhejiang Marine Economy Development Demonstration Zone, Fujian Marine Economic Pilot Zone and Zhoushan Archipelago New Area, and further open Hainan Province as an international tourism island. We should strengthen the port construction of coastal cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, NingboZhoushan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhanjiang, Shantou, Qingdao, Yantai, Dalian, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Haikou and Sanya, and strengthen the functions of international hub airports such as Shanghai and Guangzhou. We should use opening-up to motivate these areas to carry out deeper reform, create new systems and mechanisms of open economy, step up scientific and technological innovation, develop new advantages for participating in and leading international cooperation and competition, and become the pace-setter and main force in the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly the building of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We should leverage the unique role of overseas Chinese and the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, and encourage them to participate in and contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative. We should also make proper arrangements for the Taiwan region to be part of this effort.

Reviving the Silk Road

Inland regions. We should make use of the advantages of inland regions, including a vast landmass, rich human resources and a strong industrial foundation, focus on such key regions as the city clusters along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, around Chengdu and Chongqing, in central Henan Province, around Hohhot, Baotou, Erdos and Yulin, and around Harbin and Changchun to propel regional interaction and cooperation and industrial concentration. We should build Chongqing into an important pivot for developing and opening up the western region, and make Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Nanchang and Hefei leading areas of opening-up in the inland regions. We should accelerate cooperation between regions on the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River and their counterparts along Russia’s Volga River. We should set up coordination mechanisms in terms of railway transport and port customs clearance for the China-Europe corridor, cultivate the brand of “China-Europe freight trains,” and construct a cross-border transport corridor connecting the eastern, central and western regions. We should support inland cities such as Zhengzhou and Xi’an in building airports and international land ports, strengthen customs clearance cooperation between inland ports and ports in the coastal and border regions, and launch pilot ecommerce services for cross-border trade. We should optimize the layout of special customs oversight areas, develop new models of processing trade, and deepen industrial cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road. VII. China in Action For more than a year, the Chinese government has been actively promoting the building of the Belt and Road, enhancing communication and consultation and advancing practical cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road, and introduced a series

67

68 Reviving the Silk Road

of policies and measures for early outcomes. High-level guidance and facilitation. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have visited over 20 countries, attended the Dialogue on Strengthening Connectivity Partnership and the sixth ministerial c o n fe re n c e o f t h e Ch i n a - A ra b S t a te s Cooperation Forum, and met with leaders of relevant countries to discuss bilateral relations and regional development issues. They have used these opportunities to explain the rich contents and positive implications of the Belt and Road Initiative, and their efforts have helped bring about a broad consensus on the Belt and Road Initiative. Signing cooperation framework. China has signed MOUs of cooperation on the joint development of the Belt and Road with some countries, and on regional cooperation and border cooperation and mid- and long-term development plans for economic and trade cooperation with some neighboring countries. It has proposed outlines of regional cooperation plans with some adjacent countries. Promoting project cooperation. China has enhanced communication and consultation with countries along the Belt and Road, and promoted a number of key cooperation projects in the fields of infrastructure connectivity, industrial investment, resource development, economic and trade cooperation, financial cooperation, cultural exchanges, ecological protection and maritime cooperation where the conditions are right. Improving policies and measures. The Chinese government will integrate its domestic resources to provide stronger policy support for the Initiative. It will facilitate the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. China has proposed the Silk Road Fund, and the investment function of the China-Eurasia Economic Cooperation Fund will be reinforced. We will encourage bank card clearing institutions to conduct cross-border clearing operations, and payment institutions

News From China April 2015

to conduct cross-border payment business. We will actively promote investment and trade facilitation, and accelerate the reform of integrated regional customs clearance. Boosting the role of cooperation platforms. A number of international summits, forums, seminars and expos on the theme of the Belt and Road Initiative have been held, which have played an important role in increasing mutual understanding, reaching consensus and deepening cooperation. VIII. Embracing a Brighter Future Together Though proposed by China, the Belt and Road Initiative is a common aspiration of all countries along their routes. China is ready to conduct equal-footed consultation with all countries along the Belt and Road to seize the opportunity provided by the Initiative, promote opening-up, communication and integration among countries in a larger scope, with higher standards and at deeper levels, while giving consideration to the interests and aspirations of all parties. The development of the Belt and Road is open and inclusive, and we welcome the active participation of all countries and international and regional organizations in this Initiative. The development of the Belt and Road should mainly be conducted through policy communication and objectives coordination. It is a pluralistic and open process of cooperation which can be highly flexible, and does not seek conformity. China will join other countries along the Belt and Road to substantiate and improve the content and mode of the Belt and Road cooperation, work out relevant timetables and roadmaps, and align national development programs and regional cooperation plans. China will work with countries along the Belt and Road to carry out joint research, forums and fairs, personnel training, exchanges and visits under the framework of existing bilateral, multilateral, regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, so that they will gain a better understanding and recognition of the

News From China April 2015

Economic Affairs

contents, objectives and tasks of the Belt and Road Initiative. China will work with countries along the Belt and Road to steadily advance demonstration projects, jointly identify programs that accommodate bilateral and multilateral interests, and accelerate the launching of programs that are agreed upon by parties and ready for implementation, so as to ensure early harvest.

The Belt and Road cooperation features mutual respect and trust, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and mutual learning between civilizations. As long as all countries along the Belt and Road make concerted efforts to pursue our common goal, there will be bright prospects for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, and the people of countries along the Belt and Road can all benefit from this Initiative.

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Building the Beautiful Homeland Together with Indian People KSK Mahanadi Power Company Ltd. equipment erection, commissioning, trial run, (KMPCL) project 6×600MW sub-critical coal operation, guarantee work. Started on 26 Feb power plant, as a BOO model, is prepared by 2009, the first Unit (Unit 3) was successfully Indian KSK power Investment Group handed over to the owner for commercial Corporation through public financing. KMPCL operation on 11 Nov 2013. The second Unit project is located in Nariyara Village in Janjgir(Unit 4) finished 72 hours running with full load Champa district of Chhattisgarh, India. This to satisfy Indian government requirements on power plant is based on sub-critical boiler and 26 August 2014 and is ready for RRT. turbine and its designed life service will be minimum 30 years. KMPCL project is featured by building 6×600MW simultaneously. Therefore, so far it is the biggest EPC project which has been built by SEPCO1 at home and abroad. It ranges from design, purchasing of equipment & material for all main & auxiliary construction to handover of units as well as all the site activities like c i v i l c o n s t r u c t i o n , Interaction with　students of the local　school． th

th

th

69

70

News From China April 2015

Economic Affairs

While making arduous efforts in plant construction and thus making a contribution to development of Indian society economy, KMPCL project takes a series of measures to harmonize w i t h l o c a l s o c i e t y. KMPCL employs a large quantity of Indian staff to shoulder the responsibility of promoting local employment. This project is dedicated to charity and making a contribution to Indian Participating　in　sports　and　entertainment　events． people’s well-being; this project takes every staff to make donation for the earth-stricken opportunity to promote cultural exchange area in Ya An, a city in Sichuan Province of China between China and India. and the flood disaster area in Uttarakhand, a KMPCL project advocates localization state in north of India. We extend our helping management by employing a large number of hands to the world and refine our soul & heart Indian staff in every department. There are through these activities. Additionally, all more than 380 Indian employees during the Chinese and Indian staff of KMPCL project peak period of construction, accounting for voluntarily made donation for the project more than 50% of total project employees. To drivers (Mr. Deepak and Mr. Laxmi) who make Indian staff adapt to the project working suffered from traffic accident or heart disease, environment, appreciate and enjoy company’s which helped the grassroots labors to ease culture, KMPCL project establishes the actual financial burden. exclusive canteen in living quarter for Indians When major traditional Chinese and Indian and builds a coffee room in office area to festivals like Chinese mid-autumn festival, provide biscuits and drinks during the morning Chinese New Year, Indian Shri Krishna or afternoon break; To improve Indian staff’s Janmashtami Festival and DIWALI approach, skills and capability, KMPCL project, based on KMPCL project always tries to create their characterization and property, organizes opportunities for both Chinese and Indian staff all departments to develop all kinds of to celebrate such festivals together, establishing professional training courses. By doing this, it a harmonious & happy relationship with shares responsibility for local employment. Indians and making the Chinese and Indian To the best of his ability, our project is people appreciate the cultural essence of their devoted to charities. On 17 June 2013, KMPCL own country. project donated 300 thousand Indian Rupees As an oversea project£¬KMPCL project has worth of 44 sets of sports goods to 22 local always been taking spread of Chinese Culture in schools. Moreover, against the international India as one of his responsibilities. This project background at that moment, KMPCL project introduces Chinese culture to Indian staff and respectively organized all Chinese and Indian organizes Indian staff to watch video of th

News From China April 2015

Beautiful China. Through these activities£¬Indian staff has a better understanding of Chinese culture. On the request of owner’s children school (Brilliant Public School), KMPCL project sent his “Chinese culture exchange communication team” to this school to introduce traditional Chinese culture on Dec 19 2014. The group carefully prepared all kinds of reference documents and made wonderful PPT to introduce the Chinese culture covering Chinese food, traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese dance, Chinese fly kite and etc. During these activities, the team members patiently answered the questions raised by school teachers & students who took a keen interest in the Chinese culture. Finally the team members visited school’s botanical garden which was taken care of by students on their warm invit a t ion. This cult ura l excha nge & introduction activity forms one of the public service activities during “the Chinese and Indian Friendly Exchange & Communication Year in 2014”. As a Chinese company in India, KMPCL project has been always making endeavors to promote social welfare, people’s well-being and employment. More importantly, this project will make continued efforts to build the

Economic Affairs

News　about　the Chinese company published in the local newspaper．

beautiful homeland together with Indian people.

China Eyes Innovation in Face of Economic "New Normal” Beijing, March 23 (Xinhua) — A document, co-published by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, China’s cabinet, on Monday underscored the role of innovation-driven development amid the economic “new normal” of slower growth. A government work report, delivered by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on March 5, highlighted the “twin engines” that would drive development, namely popular entrepreneurship and mass innovation paired with increased supplies of public goods and

services. The growth target for 2015 was set at “approximately 7 percent,” down from 7.5 percent in 2014, when the economy grew 7.4 percent, the lowest pace since 1990. M o n d ay ’ s d o c u m e n t s a i d t h a t a l l psychological and institutional obstacles must be broken to accelerate innovation-driven development to ensure mass innovation is brought into full play. An institutional and legal framework, conducive to innovation-driven development,

71

72

Economic Affairs

News From China April 2015

should be established by 2020, the document continued. Such a framework would allow free movement of talent, capital, technology and knowledge, thus, encouraging coordinated innovation and enhancing efficiency. I n p a r t i c u l a r, t h e document promised to step up intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and to further open up industries to market competition. China＇ s Tianhe-2 has become the world's fastest supercomputer． Anti-monopoly enforcement will also be adding that innovative enterprises could enjoy enhanced to allow small- and medium-sized favorable tax policies and privileges. enterprises to bloom, it read, weeks after The document also pledged to facilitate the Chinese authorities imposed a record fine of progression of inventions by research institutes 6.09 billion yuan (994 million U.S. dollars) on and universities to commercial realization. mobile chip maker Qualcomm following an Rather than profits being channeled to the anti-trust probe. central treasury, research establishments could Meanwhile, enterprises should play a retain all income to award scientists and fund leading role in technological innovation and future research projects. application, the document read. Meanwhile, researchers should be awarded National innovation programs should no less than 50 percent of the transfer or license consult enterprises more, although “strategic income, or with company stocks and dividends needs” must also be taken into account, it said, to provide further innovation incentives.

ENHANCED S&T INNOVATION The document called for further relaxation on foreigners with technological talent applying for permanent residence permits and research into a new system for them to get Chinese citizenship. It was noted that the age limit could be lifted for foreigners who have high-level science and technology (S&T) innovation capacities, and highcaliber foreigners with permanent residence permits

News From China April 2015

Culture & Life

could enjoy the same treatment as Chinese nationals when founding S&T enterprises. Meanwhile, human resources service providers in China were encouraged to partner with foreign counterparts and even establish branches overseas. “Research institutes are encouraged to arrange programs independently, and the academic autonomy of higher education and research institutes as well as the rights to choose research directions individually will be expanded,” it said. The document noted that both basic and advanced technological research will be subjected to peer evaluations, and key factors will include “research quality, originality and practical values.”

Trumpeting “a culture that encourages innovation and tolerates failure,” the document urged universities to involve enterprises in jointly enrolling students and honing their skills while widening international cooperation and learning from leading overseas counterparts. “Regulations will be drafted on the openingup of state-level science and technology projects to encourage foreign research institutes to take part in national science and technology projects,” it said. While urging Chinese institutes to actively participate in major international S&T projects, the document vowed that projects concerning basic and global topics would be initiated to pool the wisdom of leading scientists across the world.

CULTURE & LIFE

A Literary Comeback by Ji Jing A cursory glance at Dangdang.com’s recently published list of the top 10 bestselling children’s books in China in 2014 reveals one salient and perhaps sobering fact: Of the 10 titles on the list compiled by China’s premium bookselling website, only two were originally written in Chinese. The Magic School Bus by American authors Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen and The Adventures of Tintin by Belgian cartoonist Hergé (real name Georges Remi, 1907-83) came in at first and second

places respectively. The two original Chineselanguage entries were authored by Taiwanbased scholar Wei-Ping Chen and Chinese

73

74

Culture & Life

American writer Liu Yong. So why the dearth of authors from the Chinese mainland on the list? What is it about the work of domestic children’s writers that has so failed to capture the imagination of the country’s youth? It has been argued by some that the underrepresentation of Chineselanguage originals on the list can be attributed to the contention that foreign children’s books are possessed of a richer imagination and are generally regarded as more interesting and appealing than their Chinese counterparts. “Many Western publishing houses engaged in the publishing of children’s titles have histories stretching back more than 100 years, which has enabled them to accumulate a wealth of experience in the area,” said Yu Xiaoqun, President of Dolphin Books, a Beijing-based publishing house specializing in children’s books. “In China, conversely, it’s hard to f i n d a c h i l d re n’ s publisher of an equivalent vintage as the development of many such companies has been interrupted by wars and political movements,” Yu said. China’s modern history is fraught with turbulence, ranging from wars against invading powers from 1840 onward to political turmoil in the 1960s and 1970s, instability that has undoubtedly taken a toll on its publishing industry. Although foreign children’s books are popular in China, Yu said the country boasts its own excellent children’s authors. Yu is particularly interested in children’s books written during the period of the Republic of China (1912-49), which he regards as being of an exceptionally high quality. Ever since joining Dolphin Books as president in 2009, Yu

News From China April 2015

has been devoted to ensuring these books can enjoy a renaissance in their country of origin. “I was struck by the sheer quality of the textbooks compiled back then,” said Yu.

What Children Want After studying several books on the history of Chinese children’s literature, Yu found that this sector of the publishing industry experienced a boom in the almost 40 years following 1912. A large number of reputedly excellent works were published by the Commercial Press, the Zhonghua Book Co., and several other publishing houses no longer in existence. All these presses were based in Shanghai, which in those days acted as China’s cultural hub. Yu started by looking for the version of the Children’s Library book series published by the Commercial Press in 1934, regarded as the earliest picture books for children in China. This collection originally contained 200 titles; however, locating all of them proved in no way to be child’s play. Yu’s team first discovered several titles in this collection at online secondhand bookstores and purchased them. However, the pages of some of these books turned out to be damaged or torn. “In the past, it was not permitted to stock children’s books in public libraries, which was one of the reasons why many of these books were lost or failed to survive intact to the present day,” said Yu. Finally, with the help of the Shanghai Library and the Commercial Press Ltd. in Taiwan—one of the successors to the Shanghai-based publishing house—that republished the

News From China April 2015

collection in the 1960s, Yu was able to secure 184 of the original collection’s 200 works and to publish them in four volumes. The Children’s Library series uses pictures and simple language to tell stories or convey knowledge about nature and society. For example, it includes one chapter which discusses the issue of how to be a good student. Once the first volume, consisting of 10 books, was put on sale on the e-commerce platform JD.com in 2011, the initial run of 10,000 copies were sold out within less than a month. Another 10,000 copies were printed afterward. “The commercial success bolstered our confidence. We continued to search for children’s books of that period and have since found more and more good stuff,” said Yu. After the Children’s Library series, Yu went on to republish the Primary School Students’ Library line, which was also originally published by the Commercial Press in 1934. This collection originally comprised a total of 500 titles in 45 subject areas encompassing social science, politics, economics, fairy tales, mythology, poetry and drama. Yu selected 394 works from 42 areas and compressed them into 164 books. “I read the collection in my primary school library in the 1930s. I was enamored with the fairy tales, while the books titled Water, Light, and Sound instructed me about basic scientific knowledge. These books have benefited me a lot,” said Jiang Feng, an 89-year-old former professor with Zhejiang Normal University and editor of the newly published Primary School Students’ Library series.

Culture & Life

“Many books written during the period has been republished since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. However, until relatively recently, books tailored to children from the same period have received inadequate attention,” said Yu. Children’s books during that period taught kids how to get along with people using principles espoused by Confucianism and how to attain a balanced relationship between humankind and nature. “Many parents today want their children to read these books in order to learn how to be a good person,” said Yu. “Books written for children during the Republic of China period taught kids morals and ethics and helped them establish a positive value system,” said Pu Huaqing, a writer of children’s literature. “From this perspective, these books will never be out of date.” Yu pointed out that those who wrote children’s books during that period were predominantly renowned writers or scholars, a situation which would be unimaginable today. He cited the example of Feng Zikai (1898-1975), a renowned cartoonist, essayist and translator who drew illustrations for many picture books and textbooks of that period.

75

76

News From China April 2015

Culture & Life

“Feng applied the way children think to his paintings and writings. No matter whether he was painting or writing essays, he would ask himself whether he was thinking like a child,” Yu told Beijing Review.

Works of Value Yu believes it is vitally important to ensure children’s books carry the right messages, as his intended audience is as yet too immature to tell right from wrong. A nihilistic view of life and the questionable conceptions inherent in some works may exert a negative influence upon children, one which could potentially last for the remainder of their lives. In addition to republishing old books, Dolphin Books has embraced contemporary works such as Taiwan-based illustrator and writer Jimmy Liao’s picture books. “Liao’s picture book My Little Perfect World tells children that it’s impossible for one to be perfect and normal for a kid to be imperfect. It teaches kids how to face difficulties and defeat in life and be optimistic,” said Yu. Now the author’s picture book series has become one of the imprint’s flagship lines. “The key to boosting the development of children’s books in China is to cultivate reliable brand identities with regard to both publishing

lines and publishing houses and to spread a positive message,” said Yu.

Profile Yu Xiaoqun was born in Dandong of northeast China’s Liaoning Province in September 1956. After graduating from Jilin University with a master’s degree in 1982, he joined Liaoning Education Press and later acted as its president and editor in chief. He became president of Dolphin Books in 2009. In his three-decade-long publishing career, Yu has been responsible for the publication of several book series comprising works by both Chinese and foreign authors of a high intellectual and academic caliber. He has also written over a dozen books himself, most of which have taken the form of essay collections that relate his personal experience and understanding of life and literature.

Popular Chinese TV Dramas Overseas China is a country that produces some 30,000 episodes of TV drama every year – undoubtedly the largest number in the world. In recent years, an increasing number of Chinese TV dramas has been exported overseas and gained substantial popularity among foreign audiences. Although a number of them were broadcast in China dozens of years ago, they remain firm fan favorites until this day. After all, watching a good old-fashioned TV drama might even

revoke the fondest of memories.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1994) “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” is a Chinese television series based on the classical novel of the same title. First aired in 1994, the drama spanned a total of 84 episodes. As one of the most expensive television series produced at that time, it was completed over the course of four years, involved 400,000 in cast and crew and allegedly cost a pretty penny. The end result

News From China April 2015

Culture & Life

was one of great quality and gained a big number of fans in foreign countries, especially Japan. The drama was later rebroadcast on Japan’s NHK repeatedly, and again on SUN in 2009 as well.

New Legend of Madame White Snake (1992) “The New Legend of Madame White Snake” is a musical TV series telling the fairytale love story between a good-hearted man and a snake demon who in fact transformed into a pretty girl after thousands of years of training. It was first broadcast in 1992 and achieved outstanding audience ratings. It was later exported to Japan, Vietnam and several other Asian countries, creating rating “miracles.” The drama involves traditional Chinese culture and folk customs such as traditional Chinese music, Traditional Chinese Medicine, religion and poetry, proving the country’s rich and long-lasting artistic vitality.

Journey to the West (1986) “The Journey to the West” is a Chinese television series based on the classic novel of the same title, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. First broadcast in 1986, the drama tells of the legend of the Tang Dynasty Buddhist monk Xuanzang, who traveled to the place later known as India to obtain sacred texts. Protected by his three disciples, he faced many trials and tribulations on his way there and back.

77

78

News From China April 2015

Culture & Life

Once the series was broadcast, it received much approval from both Chinese and foreign audiences. It was on show in summer vacation in Vietnam and became a perfect way to keep the children at home. The Legend of Zhen Huan (2011) “The Legend of Zhen Huan,” also known as “Hou Gong Zhen Huan Zhuan,” is a Chinese television series based on an Internet novel of the same name. It first aired in China in 2011, and features a total of 76 episodes. The drama tells the story of Zhen Huan, who was chosen to be Emperor Yongzheng’s concubine in ancient China’s Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). She learned how to survive in a palace full of cunning plots and deceit, and in the end managed to defeat her enemies. The drama was broadcast on South Korea’s CHINGTV and BS Japan. It is expected to be reedited into six TV movies and broadcast on American mainstream TV channels under the title “Empresses in the Palace.”

The　 Museum　 City　 in　 Northwest　 China – Xi＇ an Xi’an has been a bright pearl along the Silk Road for 2000 years. Emperors of thirteen dynasties chose here as their political, cultural and economic center. Nowadays, travelers are

welcomed by eleven tall earthen mounds, built around the 1st century—the tomb of emperors in Western Han dynasty. This is a place of history. From 841.B.C on, the ruler of the Western Zhou began to keep annals. Henceforth, China had historical records of each year. Thus the year of 841 B.C marked the beginning of conscious and systematic record keeping. The Western Zhou Dynasty set up their capital here in 1066.B.C, followed by the Qin, Han, Tang and

News From China April 2015

another 9 dynasties who all made here the location for their royal palace. As dynasty after dynasty added their own mark to Xi’an, the relics of old palaces, temples and tombs abounded throughout the city and surrounding countryside. All the territory under the heaven belonged to the emperor himself. So, he had the power to build a grandiose mausoleum with the expense of the treasury reserves. The first Qin emperor of the Qin Dynasty started to build his resting place when he was only 13. The Terra Cotta Warriors are just a part of tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang. The emperors in Han dynasty were more practical, preferring the small figurines to the full sized ones to be buried with them. The valiant and mighty soldiers were replaced with the graceful, peaceful and kind smaller ones. The influence of those emperors is everywhere, though no emperors lived here after the Tang dynasty. The strategic position and its potential threat of the so-called imperial descendants forced the Ming emperors to build

Culture & Life

the Bell Tower, Drum Tower and City Wall to suppress those dragon spirits.

Ancient City Wall The Ancient City Wall of Xi’an was constructed in the 14th century of Ming Dynasty u n d e r E m p e ro r Z h u Yu a n z h a n g . T h e construction was triggered by a hermit named Zhu Sheng who advised the Emperor to build high walls to protect the city from invaders and to store food supplies for future use. Seeing this as an opportunity to make his monarchy live longer, the emperor ruled the construction of the ancient wall. He began to enlarge the wall built initially during the Tang Dynasty. The city wall was originally built of rammed earth, lime and glutinous rice extract. Years passed, bricks were added to create a stronger wall and moats were in placed surrounding the gate to give protection from the outside forces. The Ancient City Wall stretched round the old city at 12 meters in height, 14 meters wide at the top, 18 meters thick at the base with a circumference of 13.79 kilometers. There were four city gates in each direction. Each gate consisted of a main

79

80

News From China April 2015

Culture & Life

tower, a watchtower, a lock tower, and a compound. During the Ming Dynasty, the city of Xi’an was best described as a fortress city with a good military defense system. The structure would make it impossible somehow for outside forces to penetrate the city without passing thru the main gate. Today, the Ancient City Wall has become a landmark for foreign travelers who visit the City of Xi’an.

Bell Tower The Bell Tower is one of the oldest well-preserved towers standing in the center of the city of Xi’an. It initially had a huge bronze Jingyun Bell hanging at the corner of the tower. It was built in 1384 by Zhu Yuanzhang of Ming Dynasty with the height of 36 meters and covering an area of 1,377 square meters. Originally, it was constructed near the Drum Tower as both had similar function. It was originally built to inform people that a new day has come and daytime is about to start by ringing the bell at dawn. As the years progressed, the city also grew and the central axis has changed. In 1582, the Bell Tower was moved to its new location, the new center of the city which was 1,000 meters east. The relocation was a massive effort of the people and was done quickly and inexpensively. It was a remarkable achievement in the architectural history in China. The tower parts were all original materials except for the base. Constructed was a two story wooden tower with three layers of dark green glaze tiled eaves and stood on a square shaped brick platform. At the corner, a small 5 ton bell was hung in replacement of the original Jingyun Bell. The latter can be seen in the Forest of Stone Steles Museum. The engravings on the doors and windows perfectly showed the fashionable

designs of the Ming Dynasty touching the stories and anecdotes of ancient China. Ancient musical instruments were being displayed on the first floor. A spiral staircase would lead you up to the second floor where records of relocation were pinned on the west side of the wall. Exhibited also were porcelain and Chinese calligraphy and arts.

Drum Tower The Drum Tower was constructed in the year 1380, four years ahead of the Bell Tower in the early era of Ming Dynasty. It was renovated twice in 1699 and 1740. The tower is a twostoried rectangular structure with triple-eave glazed bricks and covering an area of 1,924 square meters. Contrary to the Bell Tower, its

News From China April 2015

early function was to strike the drum at dusk to announce the end of the day. During the ancient China, both Bell and Drum Towers portrayed a significant role in the Chinese people’s daily lives as time devices. At present, the second floor of the Drum Tower is used as an antique shop and sometimes holds an art exhibition.

Terracotta Warriors On March 29, 1974, a group of farmers were digging the ground for water well and discovered fragments of terracotta or baked earth figures. This prompted the Chinese archaeologists to investigate and unlocked the mystery of the largest pottery figurine of the emperor’s warriors, chariots and horses buried east of Xi’an in Shaanxi province. The figures of infantry soldiers were life-sized and vary in hairstyle, uniform and height with the tallest being the high ranking officials. There were

Culture & Life

three pits containing the terracotta figures and it was estimated that there were over 7,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses near Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum. Up till now, the archeologists are still digging for more discoveries. Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. During his time, the dominant religious beliefs in China were on the “shen” and “yin” translated as “spirits” and “shadows”. Death for them was just simply moving from one world to another. To solidify his kingdom and to protect him in his afterlife, terracotta figures of soldiers, chariots and horses were buried near the emperor’s necropolis at Mount Li. The Terracotta Warriors is one of the biggest historical sites in Xi’an that draw millions of tourist all over the world. UNESCO listed it as the World Heritage Site on December 1987.

81

82

News From China April 2015

Culture & Life

A Glance　 in　 the　 Season　 of Flowers

Photo taken on April 4, 2015 shows blooming tulips at Renmin Park in Zhengzhou, capital city of north China's Henan Province. April is the　 best　 season　 of　 flowers　 in　 China．　 （ Xinhua／ Zhu　 Xiang）　

Keep　 memories of flowers by taking ＂selfies＂．

Taking　 photo　 of　 blooming　 tulips．

News From China April 2015

Culture & Life

83

Taking　 photos　 of　 flowers by cell phone．

Performers reenact an　 ancient scene　 of　 watching　 peonies．

People enjoying　 cherry　 blossoms　 in　 a　 park．

A little girl looks at blooming tulips．

People among the flowers　 in Southwest China＇ s Chongqing．　

84

News From China April 2015

Tibet Today

TIBET TODAY

China Issues White Paper on Tibet　 Beijing April 15 (Xinhua) — The Chinese government on Wednesday issued a white paper on southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, applauding its development path and denouncing the “middle way” advocated by the Dalai Lama. The white paper, under the title “Tibet’s Path of Development Is Driven by an Irresistible Historical Tide”, holds that Tibet’s current development path is correct. Tibet’s continual progress on its present path of development is an objective requirement of modern civilization. It accords with the progressive trend of human society, the prevailing conditions and the current reality in China, and the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups in Tibet, says the white paper, released by the Information Office of the State Council. However, the report points out that there is a party who cluster around the 14th Dalai Lama, representatives of the remnants of the feudal serf owners who have long lived in exile, driven by a political goal of “Tibetan independence” and a sentimental attachment to the old theocratic feudal serfdom. Having failed to instigate violence in support of their cause, they turned to the

“middle way”, which negates Tibet’s sound development path and attempts to create a “state within a state” on Chinese territory as an interim step towards the ultimate goal of full independence. “The only sensible alternative is for the Dalai Lama and his supporters to accept that Tibet has been part of China since antiquity, to abandon their goals of dividing China and seeking independence for Tibet, and to begin to act in the interests of Tibet and the country at large,” it says. The central government has followed a clear and consistent policy towards the 14th Dalai Lama, the report stresses. “Only when he makes a public statement acknowledging that Tibet has been an integral part of China since antiquity, and abandons his stance on independence and his attempts to divide China, can he improve his relationship with the central government in any real sense,” it says. The central government hopes that the Dalai Lama will put aside his illusions in his remaining years and face up to reality, adapt his position, choose the objective and rational path, and do something of benefit to overseas Tibetan compatriots in exile, it says.

Long-term Prosperity, Stability Stressed for China's Tibetan Regions (2015-03-28, From Xinhua) Top Chinese political advisor Yu Zhengsheng has called for efforts to coordinate development and

improvement of people’s livelihood, promote religious and ethnic harmony to maintain longterm prosperity and stability in Tibetan regions.

News From China April 2015

Tibet Today

Yu made the remarks during an inspection in the T i b e t a n - Q i a n g Autonomous Prefecture of Aba in southwest China’s Sichuan Province between Wednesday and Friday. “The ultimate goal for accelerating the development of Tibetan regions is to improve people’s livelihoods, and improving people’s livelihoods should be a key criterion for evaluating the Yu Zhengsheng (C), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political quality of development,” Consultative Conference, visits religious figures at a monastery in Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 25, 2015. (Xinhua/Li Tao) Yu said, urging more funds and projects that favor the grassroots, rural and pastoral regions. that the teaching of science and engineering During the inspection, Yu visited schools, should be strengthened to boost the ability of hospitals, monasteries and held symposiums students of ethnic minorities. with local officials. “Great efforts should be made to develop Stressing education in both Mandarin local medical services and cultivate high-level Chinese and local ethnic languages, Yu noted health workers in the Tibetan regions,” Yu said.

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

Yu stressed that local religious work should be conducted in line with the principle of rule of law, and religious figures should actively guide Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to a socialist society, while resolutely resisting the influence from foreign forces. While meeting with local officials, Yu praised social and economic achievements of Aba and urged the region to map out an employment-oriented development plan that combined infrastructure and environmental protection.

85

86

News From China April 2015

Tibet Today

Lighting Up the Highest Place in the World Text by Zhang Jingpin

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

Gyapol, 50 years old,is the Director of the Management Committee of the Rongpo Monastery, the highest temple in the world. These days, whenever he’s free, he turns on TV and watches Tibetan programs.”In the past, we lit the room by solar power or candles. The solar power could usually be used for 3 to 4 hours in one evening, and then would run out. Now, we can watch 52 channels on TV as long as we want and are not worried about electricity any more.” Gyapol’s excitement benefits from a newly completed electric power project. In the middle of April 2014, the Mt. Qomolangma 10kv Electricity Project, which has lasted for two years, was officially finished and put into use. The completion of the construction signifi es that China formally sends power to the Mt.

Qomolangma Base Camp at the altitude of 5200 meters. Gonpo, an 80-year-old alpinist,was very happy when he heard the news that power was on in the Mt.Qomolangma Base Camp. In 1960, he and his two teammates, Wang Fuzhou and Qu Yinhua, made history as the fi rst human beings to climb Mt. Qomolangma from the northern side, and the first to leave the Five-Starred Red Flag waving on the summit of the Earth.”My last time in the base camp of Mt. Qomolangma was more than 20 years ago. Then, power was generated by dynamo. We had to save it and used it only when we wanted to send messages. That electricity has been sent onto the Mt.Qomolangma Base Camp is as great as those human beings reaching the peak of the

News From China April 2015

Tibet Today

thousand.The wire line going through the foot of mountain,” the old Gonpo stated inspiredly. Mt. Qomolangma is only one section of the Wang Yunjia, reporter from the Xinhua program. By such a way to extend the major News Agency, who arrived at the Mt. power net, the State Grid Corporation of China Qomolangma Base Camp with the Tibetan not only realizes that there is electricity Mountaineering Team in 2013, wrote in an available in the Mt.Qomolangma Base Camp, but interview:”Then, though there was a dynamo in it also supplies safe and reliable power for the the camp, fuel was very precious.So every 1,011 families in the 21 villages along the line evening, we could only have it operating for and for the historic Monastery of Rongpo. three hours, and our cell phones would not be The news that power is on in the Mt. charged until that time. For climbers and Qomolangma Base Camp soon aroused hot tourists, it is a good thing to have power on in discussions among the vast outdoor fans. Some the base camp.” netizen said:”Now I am not worried about Looking at Pole No. 8844, the highest 10kv having a bath in the Mt. Qomolangma Base wire pole in the world,Palbar Dondrup, director of the project, said: “The construction region is as high as 5000 meters,where the oxygen content is less than half of that on the plain. About 200 construction workers have overcome the influence of gale and laid wire line for 85 km. Finally,we sent power into the camps of Mt. Qomolangma Base, allowing it to say goodbye to the intermittent solar energy generation and dynamo.” In May 2012, the Tibet Shigatse Power Supply Company of the State Grid C o r p o ra t i o n o f C h i n a launched the project to upgrade the rural power grid. The project got a total investment of 570 million Yuan, covering 4 counties, Sakya,Ngangring, Dinggye and Tingri,all with a total area of about 66.5thousand square kilometers and a The 4980-meter-high Rongpo Monastery is the best site to view the Mt. Qomolangma. population of over 160

87

88

News From China April 2015

Tibet Today

camp.” Also, the news delights the tourists and alpinists, and fills researchers with expectation. Ten times every year, Wang Zhongyan,Assistant Master of the Mt.Qomolangma Station, the Institute of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,Chinese Academy of Sciences, goes to the Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp to do scientific research. He said that before the poles were set up, the Mt. Qomolangma Station relied on the solar photovoltaic generation as the main power source. However,the solar generation had its disadvantages with an insufficient work rate, easy weather impact,and less capacity to run larger instruments. Especially in the monsoon period, the shortage of power greatly influenced the o p e ra t i o n s o f s c i e n t i f i c research equipment as well as the daily power usage for usual living. In the past,it was unimaginable to construct the state grid in the region, which now supplies stable and sufficient electricity for the Mt. Qomolangma Station, offers much convenience,and guarantees the station’s ability to plan and develop future scientific research observations, particularly assuring the operation of higherpower instruments. Then, fellow researchers could apply different monitoring methods to collect more information. If the work and data accumulation can persist for several years, they could give more detailed and p re c i s e ex p l a n a t i o n s to enhance understanding of how the environment in the

region of Mt.Qomolangma has changed due to the impact of global warming. O n e re s p o n s i b l e p e r s o n f ro m t h e government of the Tingri County of Shigatse Prefecture believed that the project would not only offer convenience for the annual 70 thousand people visiting the Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp,but it would also greatly improve the power-usage life of the local common people. “In a few days, I am going to go to the county and buy a laundry machine. Then, I don’thave to suffer cold and do laundry in winter,” said Rigzin, a woman from the Township Village of Zhaxizom,Tingri County.

Electricity is available in the Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp.

News From China April 2015

CCTV News 89

90

CRI CIBN

News From China April 2015

Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-16/4034/15-17 R.N.I. No. 47440/88 April 2015

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

Published, Printed and Edited by Mme. Xie Liyan on behalf of the Press Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021. Tel: 26881249, Fax: 26882024 Printed at A.K. Printers, S-217, Bank Street, Munirka, New Delhi-110067, Ph: 9818114996 Date of Publishing: 24th of every month Posted at Chanakyapuri P.O. on 27th & 28th of every month

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

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

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