SONG TAO

Minister of the International Department CPC Central Committee

KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE THEMATIC SESSION ON PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CONNECTIVITY, BELT AND ROAD FORUM FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

SONG TAO

Minister of the International Department CPC Central Committee

MAKE CONCERTED EFFORTS TO BRING OUR HEARTS CLOSER FOR JOINTLY BUILDING BELT AND ROAD

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

Good afternoon! Let me begin by extending my warmest welcome to all of you to this thematic session on peopleto-people connectivity on behalf of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the organizer of this event.

Thanks to the concerted efforts and amidst the earnest anticipation of all sides, the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was solemnly opened this morning in Beijing. President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, summing up the progress and experiences in the implementation of the “Belt and Road” Initiative over the past three or more years, and, on the basis of pooling consensus from all parties, setting clear direction forward and areas for cooperation for the next stage. Heads of state and government from other countries as well as leaders of international organizations also spoke on their expectations and proposals on building Belt and Road. One thing we can infer from these speeches is that, for the “Belt and Road” Initiative to go steadily and farther, people-to-people connectivity can always serve as strong support and buttress. It is therefore vital to promote people-to-people connectivity as a fundamental task.

With this in mind, the past three years or more since the inception of the initiative have witnessed extensive, colorful and diversified people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields between China and partner countries. Through the implementation of projects and activities, people of partner countries of the“Belt and Road” Initiative have become more friendly with each other on the basis of better mutual understanding. As a result, they are more appreciative and supportive of this initiative. This thematic session offers us yet another important opportunity to push forward the major undertaking of people-to-people connectivity into a new stage. Today, with the gathering of participants coming from all parts of the world, we look forward to hearing your insight on this initiative, and we would appreciate all of your contribution to enhancing people-to-people bonds for implementing the “Belt and Road” Initiative.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

The world today is undergoing profound and complex changes, coupled with new challenges facing economic globalization and lack of driving force for global economic growth, which makes it necessary for us to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of people-to-people connectivity for the implementation of the “Belt and Road Initiative”.

Song Tao delivers a keynote speech at the thematic session on people-to-people connectivity , May 15,2017 .

First, stronger people-to-people connectivity will result in a solid social foundation for economic cooperation among countries. As an ancient Chinese saying goes, “Friendship based on interests does not last long, and only that based on heart-to-heart connection can endure”. The “Belt and Road” Initiative is not just about economic development. It also entails people-to-people connectivity. Our vision is to achieve synchronized connectivity of policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and people. The “Belt and Road” Initiative cannot succeed without the people’s support, and only with more exchanges and stronger bonds among peoples of all countries can our hearts beat together and hence the success of practical cooperation in various fields. Friendship among countries can be underpinned by a more solid foundation. It is fair to say that people-to-people connectivity, on one hand, bears the important responsibility of enhancing friendship and understanding, and on the other, plays its due role in promoting economic cooperation. In this sense, people-to-people connectivity is both the means and the ends. Therefore, we need to make concerted efforts to build stronger people-to-people bonds by taking more proactive measures in response to the wishes of the people and pooling wisdom from the people, and mobilizing the strength of the people. Furthermore, the mode of cooperation for mutual benefit must be further improved so that the achievements of the initiative can better benefit people of countries concerned, and a favorable social environment and strong public support for practical cooperation can materilize.

Second, stronger people-to-people connectivity will result in fresh impetus for the reform and improvement of the system for global governance. Today, the process of economic globalization faces challenges. Many countries are laden with a multitude of problems including, among others, lackluster growth, inequality, unbalanced development, and environment degradation. To address these challenges, each and every country needs to take actions. On top of that, it is also important that global governance be strengthened towards the direction of being more just and fair. At this juncture, global governance constitutes a major undertaking bearing on the interests of all countries and wellbeing of all peoples, requiring the joint participation of all social actors. The“Belt and Road” Initiative is not only a solution for economic development, but also an innovative exploration in promoting a new type of globalization and improving global governance. People’s aspiration for a better life points the direction of the reform of global governance. Stronger people-to-people connectivity would help us get a better sense of people’s aspirations for development and respond to people’s desire for change and reform in a more timely manner. Stronger people-to-people connectivity would also enable us to offer more dynamic guidance for social actors in cooperation, and, through safeguarding and harmonizing interests of all sides to build consensus and find solutions for reforming and improving the system of global governance.

Third, stronger people-to-people connectivity will result in effective platform for deepening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Civilization represents the material and spiritual achievements of the humankind. The diversity in civilization constitutes both a basic feature of the world today and the source of human progress. The colorful landscape of civilizations in partner countries is composed of different ethnic groups with differentreligions, histories, national conditions, cultures and customs. The “Belt and Road” is as material as it is cultural. It needs the buttress of “hardware”, i.e., economic cooperation and trade, and also has to be underpinned by the “soft”support from the interactions among civilizations. We need to advocate diversity of and equality among civilizations which respect, tolerate and narrow differences for more common grounds. We need to advocate mutual trust, respect and appreciation among civilizations in the spirit of “sharing the beauty and achieving harmony”. We need to advocate an approach to civilizations which cherishes traditions while being future-minded, inclusive and innovative. We need to advocate communication, dialogues and consultations, so as to have harmony instead of conflicts, and replace “clash of civilizations” with“harmony of civilizations”.

Fourth, stronger people-to-people connectivity will result in better conditions for building a community of common destiny for mankind. In today’s world, countries are inter-connected and interdependent. As President Xi Jinping has remarked, all countries should grow the awareness that we are one community of common destiny in which one country’s prosperity will bring prosperity to others and the damage to one country is a damage to all. While pursuing one’s national interests and development, a country should also give consideration to others’ interests and development. By putting people first, championing winwin cooperation and promoting interconnected development, the “Belt and Road” Initiative represents an important exploration and practice for the building of the community of common destiny of mankind. China hopes to work with all countries and international organizations concerned to build a community of common destiny for mankind by implementing this initiative. We should take raising the awareness of the community of common destiny the goal of enhancing people-to-people connectivity, and work hard to promote geographical, people-to-people and cultural connectivity, so that people from different countries can become good friends and partners in the course of common prosperity, and gradually build a community of common destiny for mankind with shared responsibility, common interest and genuine solidarity.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

“Pooled strength is invincible; collective wisdom will ensure the accomplishment of any feat”. To enhance peopleto-people bonds in the implementation of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, all actors should harbor a high sense of responsibility as “masters of the house”, work together to seize opportunities and translate the magnificent visions into concrete actions. For effective cooperation on people-to-people connectivity in the next stage, I wish to share with you four suggestions.

First, we must highlight the “common” factor in strengthening peopleto-people connectivity. All countries should observe the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits and make joint efforts to develop overarching plans, overall arrangements and to design bilateral and multilateral platforms for exchanges. We should step up coordination and act with united strength, enhance the sense of common responsibility, shoulder our due responsibilities, improve the efficiency in the implementation of projects on people-to-people connectivity and set up regular mechanisms for promoting these efforts.

Second, we must highlight the “sentiment” factor in strengthening peopleto-people connectivity. When we make efforts to improve people-to-people connectivity, we must be passionate in performing the work so that relevant projects will resonate with people of different countries. More activities that carry a human touch should be organized to deepen friendship and bolster popular acceptance and recognition of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. These efforts shall be made on a long-term and gradual basis with solid progress.

Third, we must highlight the “tangibility” factor in strengthening people-topeople connectivity. Efforts to improve people-to-people connectivity should be more closely incorporated with the practical cooperation of different sides and a batch of targeted projects on people-topeople connectivity with clear priorities and visible effects should be carried out so as to build a green, healthy, intelligent and peaceful Silk Road. Benefits of projects on people-to-people connectivity shall be delivered extensively so that various communities and peoples of various levels will be included and have a higher sense of gain.

Fourth, we must highlight the “inclusiveness” factor in strengthening people-to-people connectivity. Cooperation on people-to-people connectivity should follow the principle of inclusiveness and openness, and it is important to continuously improve the model of cooperation by multiple players and encourage more countries, international organizations and social players to join in the efforts. We should advocate cultural inclusiveness and nurture the concepts of win-win and all-win so that people of different countries will draw on each other’s strength, take a sensible view towards differences and properly balance cooperation and competition for common development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

“We can understand others best by reaching their hearts.” Winning the hearts of people is the top priority of any political agenda, thus the people-topeople connectivity represents the link most fundamental, solid and enduring. The “Belt and Road” Initiative is ultimately aimed at bringing benefits to every ordinary man and woman in partner countries. Therefore, it not only needs economic cooperation, but also calls for the bonds and resonance of people’s feelings. Let us join hands to follow the guidance of the Silk Road spirit, put people first, deepen mutual learning among civilizations, and promote understanding, recognition and friendship by building bridges on the Silk Road connecting people’s heart and soul. Let us make unremitting efforts to build a new type of international relations underpinned by win-win cooperation and work towards the community of common destiny for all humankind!

Thank you.

10.19422/j.cnki.cn10-1398/d.2017.03.001