Hosted by Beijing International Exchange Association Sustainable Development Committee (BJ-SDC) and Caribbean China People Foundation (CCPF), Development of “Belt and Road” between China and Latin America Symposium was held at Beijing Shenglu International Chateau on May 16th 2017. The symposium was launched right after the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF), and actively responded to what President Xi Jinping had put forwarded in the keynote speech of BRF that was to build Belt and Road into a road for peace, a road of prosperity, a road of opening up, a road of innovation, and a road connecting different civilizations.
Distinguished guests included William V. Marlin, the then Prime Minister of St. Maarten, the Netherlands Antilles island; Cengiz Kucuk, co-founder and executive chairman of Caribbean China People Foundation; Li Beihai, former deputy director of International Department, Central Committee of CPC; Zhang Wenfan, former deputy minister of Civil Affairs, Chairman of the Chinese Society for Futures Studies and honorary chairman of Beijing International Exchange Association; Gan Wu, Chinese expert on Energy; Cui Shuiqiang, co-founder and chairman of CCPF, and president of New LifeTown Investment and Development Co., Ltd; An Liange, secretary-general of Beijing International Exchange Association; Wang Chuanli, Professor of Economic Law; He Yongjun, journalist of People’s Daily; Mao Lili, editor of Xinhua News Agency; Wang Xianming, deputy executive chairman of Natural Therapy of National Association of Health Industry and Enterprise Management; Wang Weiwei, honorary vice chairman of BJ-SDC; Liu Wei, Chairman of BJ-SDC and other members of BJ-SDC.
His Honorable William V. Marlin, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten
The symposium was moderated by Alice Wang, general-secretary of BJ-SDC and Chairman Liu Wei delivered the welcome speech. In his speech, he introduced the Three Reconstructions (Environment, Economy and Ethics) and sustainable development topics that BJ-SDC had been committed to for many years. With the BJ-SDC’s promotion, CCPF was founded, which brought positive influence to local culture and economy. He also hoped that through the symposium, heated discussion on ways to promote Belt and Road Initiative in Latin America with the help of Caribbean region would be started and an international think tank could be jointly established with St. Maarten.
Mr. Li Beihai, former deputy director of International Department, Central Committee of CPC, retrospected his story of doing diplomatic work in Latin America fifty years ago, and expressed his deep feelings to Latin America and unforgettable memories in St. Maarten. During past 50 years, he witnessed the transition that China’s diplomacy had made from political diplomacy to diplomacy in broader areas, such as economy, education, finance, culture, scientific technology, sports and military, etc. He totally agreed with the strategy of extending Belt and Road to the Latin America and fully recognized the people to people diplomacy that BJ-SDC had promoted for so many years. Impressed by integration of multi-culture in Latin America, Mr. Li also encouraged Chinese people to go to Latin America, spread our thought of Oneness of Heaven and Earth there, and join hands with all global citizens to make our planet a better place.
Mr. Zhang Wenfan, former deputy minister of Civil Affairs, Chairman of the Chinese Society for Futures Studies and honorary chairman of Beijing International Exchange Association looked back to the BRF held two days ago. During the forum, about 29 heads of States, 3 heads of important international organizations and other distinguished guests from over 130 countries presented and jointly conducted discussion on the topics of building a common community of shared destiny.
Cengiz Kucuk, co-founder and executive chairman of CCPF, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Marlin and all the guests. He said that after hearing President Xi’s speech at BRF, he had a deeper understanding to the spirit of Silk Road and the foresight of Belt and Road and would like to devote the rest of his life to the promotion of Belt and Road and connection of People’s heart around the world.
William V. Marlin, Prime Minister of St. Maarten extended his appreciation of the invitation to BRF from Chinese government. As the only head of state in Caribbean region attending the forum, Prime Minister Marlin said he was inspired a lot by President Xi’s speech and was admired by President Xi’s wisdom and his right seize of the time. Prime Minister Marlin shared that St. Maarten was a small island with limitless potential as it had unique location and geopolitics. And it is the best area to promote Belt and Road Initiatives in Latin America. He believed that through cultural exchanges between China and St. Maarten, people of two countries would have a deeper understanding and connection with each other, and he also expressed the needs of St. Maarten in infrastructure, energy, and medicine, etc. He said that he had a good trip in China and looked forward to visiting China next time with his family.
