VOL. XXVII No. 4 April 2015 Rs. 20.00

Chinese State Councilor (L), who is also Chinese Special Representative on - Boundary Question, shakes hands with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in on March 23, 2015. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) The Delhi Office of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le Yucheng visited the Indian (HKTDC) held its opening reception on April 9th 2015 in New Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents on April 1th 2015. Delhi. Chinese Ambassador Mr. Le Yucheng, Indian Railway He gave a lecture to participants on the 65th anniversary of Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu and 150 personages were China-India diplomatic relations. present.

Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le Yucheng visited the On March 30, Mr. Le Yucheng , the Chinese Ambassador to India headquarter of Indian English Newspaper The Hindu in Chennai met with Mr. O Panneerselvam , Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on March 30 and met with N. Ram and N. Ravi, the chairpersons during his visit to Chennai and discussed with him on bilateral of the newspaper. cooperation.

On March 26, Chinese Embassy held an Exhibition of Fine Arts of Mr. Le Yucheng, Chinese Ambassador to India met with Mr. Contemporary China in New Delhi to mark the 65th Anniversary Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of Confederation of Indian of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Industry (CII) on March 25 and exchanged views with him on India. Chinese Ambassador Mr. Le Yucheng addressed the promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation. meeting. CONTENTS

CHINA INDIA RELATIONS

1. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi Meets with Indian Prime Minister 4 2. The Eighteenth Special Representatives' Meeting on the China-India Boundary Question 5 Held in New Delhi 3. China to Boost Partnership with India 7 4. Ambassador Le Yucheng's Interview with The Hindu 8 5. “Belt and Road Initiative”: China and India Play the Symphony Together 14

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

1. China, Vietnam Pledge Closer Friendship, Partnership 20 2. 54th Annual Session of AALCO Opens, Chinese Premier Delivers Keynote Speech 22 3. Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin Meets with 23 4. Wang Yi Talks about the Negotiation on the Iranian Nuclear Issue 25 5. AIIB Founders Finalized at 57 26

2015 BOAO FORUM FOR ASIA

1. Towards a Community of Common Destiny and A New Future for Asia 27 2. Chinese President Meets with Foreign Leaders During Boao Forum 35 3. Boao Forum Opens to Push Asian Development, Integration 44 4. A-Z of 2015 Boao Forum for Asia in Spotlight 46

REVIVING THE SILK ROAD

1. "Belt and Road": Not China's Solo But Inspiring Chorus 48 2. Jointly Build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road By Deepening Mutual Trust and Enhancing Connectivity 50 3. Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road 53

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

1. Building the Beautiful Homeland Together with Indian People 69 2. China Eyes Innovation in Face of Economic "New Normal" 71

CULTURE & LIFE

1. A Literary Comeback 73 2. Popular Chinese TV Dramas Overseas 76 3. The Museum City in Northwest China----Xi'an 78 4. A Glance in the Season of Flowers 82

TIBET TODAY

1. China Issues White Paper on Tibet 84 2. Long-term Prosperity, Stability Stressed for China's Tibetan Regions 84 3. Lighting Up the Highest Place in the World 86

CCTV NEWS YOUR LINK TO CHINA AND THE WORLD 89 CRI A BRIDGE OF FRIENDSHIP 90 4 China India Relations News From China April 2015

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 that India and China are committed to Narendra Modi of India met in New Delhi with promoting friendly cooperation. Narendra Modi visiting State Councilor Yang Jiechi. stated that bilateral relations are rapidly Narendra Modi expressed that President Xi advancing along the right course set by the Jinping paid a successful visit to India last year, leaders of the two countries, which not only which remains fresh in the Indian people’s benefits the two countries and peoples but also memory. He asked Yang Jiechi to convey his will exert a positive influence on Asia and the sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping and world at large. Premier , and expressed his Yang Jiechi conveyed sincere greetings willingness to visit China and exchange in- from Chinese leaders to Narendra Modi. He depth views with Chinese leaders on further said that both countries are speeding up the developing India-China relations, sending a implementation of the results yielded by positive signal to the international community President Xi Jinping’s visit to India and will News From China April 2015 China India Relations 5 actively prepare for Prime Minister Narendra as well as peace, stability and development of Modi’s visit to China. As the two largest the region and the world at large. China will developing countries in the world, China and work with India to constantly deepen mutual India joining hands for cooperation and trust, actively expand cooperation and push building a closer development partnership bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to will conduce to their respective development 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 question and had strategic communication on Representatives’ Meeting on the China-India bilateral relations and international and boundary question was held in New Delhi. Yang regional issues of common concern. Jiechi, State Councilor and special Both sides believed that the successful visit representative on the Chinese side and Ajit to India paid by President Xi Jinping last Doval, the special representative on the Indian September charted the course and drew a side and Indian National Security Adviser, blueprint for China-India strategic cooperation exchanged in-depth views on the boundary in the next five to ten years. Both sides would 6 China India Relations News From China April 2015

join efforts to implement the important neighbors, China and India are the two largest consensus reached by the leaders of the two developing nations and emerging markets with countries, maintain the momentum of high- the most vitality in the current world. The level mutual visits, and constantly advance development of China-India relations bears on China-India strategic and cooperative the benefits of the two peoples and exerts partnership. influences on the peace and development of the The two sides reviewed the positive region and the world at large. Both sides should progress achieved at the previous special join efforts to promote practical cooperation in representatives’ meetings over the past years various fields, further enhance coordination and stressed to continue advancing the and cooperation in international and regional progress of framework negotiation along a affairs, build a closer development partnership, right track on the basis of the realized results and make more contributions to the peace and and consensus while taking the big picture of development in the world. bilateral relations and the long-term China, India Aim to Maintain i n t e r e s t s o f t h e t w o p e o p l e s i n t o Border Peace consideration. Both sides reaffirmed to properly manage and control conflicts and Beijing, March 24 (Xinhuanet) — Chinese join efforts to maintain the peace and State Councilor Yang Jiechi is on a state visit to tranquility in the boundary area before the India. After the first day of talks, China’s foreign boundary issue is finally settled. ministry said both countries have agreed to Both sides noted that as important 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 China India Relations 7 resolving boundary issues. China in May. Yang met Indian National Security Advisor The last round of special representative Ajit Doval Monday to discuss bilateral ties. talks took place during President Xi Jinping’s The aims of the talks are to fix disputes over visit to New Delhi last September. the border that divides Asia’s largest nations These came after Modi had raised concerns and to form part of efforts to make progress on about incidents of transgressions along the bilateral ties in the lead up to Modi’s visit to border.

China to Boost Partnership with India

Chinese Vice Premier (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 Party-to-party communications and Premier Wang Yang said China will boost exchanges at the local level are important contacts and cooperation with India to enhance components of the relationship between the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership. two countries, said Wang. Wang made the remarks during a recent The vice premier stressed that China will meeting with Nara Chandrababu Naidu, further implement its neighborhood diplomacy President of Telugu Desam Party and chief featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and minister of Andhra Pradesh, in Beijing, inclusiveness so as to push forward China-India according to an official press release on ties in the year marking the 65 anniversary of Tuesday. their establishment of diplomatic relations. 8 China India Relations News From China April 2015 Ambassador Le Yucheng's Interview with The Hindu

Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Le relations in the next five-ten years and opened Yucheng visited the headquarter of Indian up a new chapter for our relationship. English Newspaper The Hindu on March 30, As we know, during President Xi’s visit to 2015. The Newspaper published the interview India, China and India signed twelve to the Ambassador on March 1. The full text is as agreements on trade and economic follows: cooperation, covering fields like industrial 1. Last September, Chinese President Xi parks, railways, credit and leasing, with Jinping paid a state visit to India. How’s the cumulative amount of investment and financing implementation of the decisions taken of 13 billion US dollars. during President Xi’s visit coming along? Right now we are stepping up efforts to A: Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state implement the outcomes of President Xi’s visit. I visit to India last September. This was the receive various Chinese delegations visiting second state visit by a Chinese President to India almost every day, and I have met with India in the span of eight years. President Xi was many ministers and other important members also the first head of state of a major country to of government, visited some Indian cities, visit India after the formation of the new including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and government. The leaders of our two countries Amritsar. Through these meetings and visits, I reached consensus on building China-India deeply feel that bilateral cooperation is in full closer development partnership, charted out a swing, especially in the fields of trade and blueprint for development of our bilateral investment. Railways is undoubtedly the focus News From China April 2015 China India Relations 9 of our cooperation. Experts from both sides number of Chinese visitors will grow much have met several times and positive progress faster. has been made. The feasibility studies of speed It is particularly worth mentioning that both raising project on Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysore sides have agreed upon a package plan on the section and railway station renovation projects Kailash Manasarovar Yatra to the Tibet will be finished soon. Dozens of Indian experts Autonomous Region of China through Nathula have gone to China to receive training in heavy Pass. We hope that this summer the first group haul transportation. The feasibility study for of Indian pilgrims will go to Kailash 1754 km long Delhi-Chennai high-speed rail Manasarovar through the new route. The new corridor by the China Railway Siyuan Survey pilgrimage route is accessible by cars, fast, and Design Group is in full swing. Chinese convenient and secure. The two sides have also companies are also involved in the bidding for actively engaged in cultural exchanges recently. feasibility studies of the other sections of high- During the traditional Chinese Spring Festival, speed rail. China-India railways cooperation China Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe visited New has bright prospects. Delhi and Gujarat and gave performances, The work on the Chinese industrial parks in which were immensely liked by the audience. Pune and Vadodara is going on in full swing. On March 26, the Exhibition of Fine Artworks of Construction in the Pune automobile industrial Contemporary China opened to a warm park, where the plan is to invest $ 5 billion in reception in Delhi. Pragmatic bilateral three phases until 2030, will start soon. The cooperation in the economic, cultural and other industrial park will create around one lakh jobs fields between the two countries has laid down and an annual output of 20 billion US dollars on a solid foundation for building a closer its completion. A well-known Chinese private development partnership. company Sany has also set up factories in Pune 2. Prime Minister Modi will visit China in and created hundreds of jobs locally. I recently May. As the Chinese Ambassador to India, attended the inauguration ceremony of what’s your expectation to this visit? Huawei’s R&D center in Bengaluru and found A: Last September, President Xi Jinping paid that the center employs more than 2,000 local a historic visit to India. The picture of the two employees. China Huaneng Group will also leaders operating the spinning wheel in Gujarat, invest 3 billion US dollars in Gujarat to build the home state of the Prime Minister Modi, has 4000MW coal-fired power plants. Alibaba, spread far and wide in China. The Chinese Xiaomi and other Chinese companies are also people believe in reciprocating the courtesy of eager to invest in India. others. So I’m sure when Prime Minister Modi The year 2015 is being observed as the visits China later this year, he will be warmly “Visit India Year” in China. The Indian External welcomed by the Chinese government and Minister Sushma Swaraj attended its launch people. ceremony held in Beijing in February this year. PM Modi’s first visit to China since becoming Now the number of Chinese citizens visiting prime minister is the highlight of China-India India is growing rapidly. It is often difficult to get relations in this year. China attaches great an airline ticket for the flight between China and importance to this visit. The two sides are in India. The number of Chinese tourists visiting close communication on this visit. Indian India in the last two months grew by 10 percent External Minister’s visit to China in February over the same period last year. If India and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi’s visit to streamlines and facilitates the issuing of tourist India recently attests to the fact that visa to the Chinese tourists, I believe the preparations for PM Modi’s visit are in full 10 China India Relations News From China April 2015

swing. During the visit, President Xi Jinping and development and prosperity for the various Premier Li Keqiang will hold comprehensive, countries along the “Silk Road Economic Belt” wide-ranging and in-depth discussions with and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” by Prime Minister Modi on areas of bilateral, linking the past with the present, landmass with strategic and pragmatic cooperation, cultural the seas and the development strategies of the and local exchange, and major international various countries. The Vision and Actions of the issues. Prime Minister Modi will have an initiative have just been issued by the Chinese opportunity to communicate with China’s government. The initiative will forge the four business people, young students and ordinary billion people from more than sixty countries in people. The companies from both sides are also Asia, Europe and Africa into a community of preparing a series of cooperative projects. If common destiny and common interest. If I may they arrive at consensus then the agreements use a musical metaphor, it is not China’s solo, but could be worth no less than $ 10 billion dollars. a symphony performed by all the relevant In short, this visit will be an important and countries. The “Belt and Road” initiatives will fruitful visit, which will effectively enrich the observe the principles of discussing together, connotation of closer development partnership building together and sharing together, through between the two countries, and promote China- policy coordination, road connectivity, India relations to a new level. unimpeded trade, monetary circulation and 3. China has put forward the “Belt and mutual understanding between the peoples. Road” initiatives. How does this initiative These initiatives have been put forward to contribute to India-China Relations? promote economic cooperation, and are not A: The “Belt and Road” initiatives put driven by geopolitics, or an attempt to seek forward by China aims at achieving the common sphere of influence. News From China April 2015 China India Relations 11

Since the launch of these initiatives, coordination with India, to link the “Belt and significant headway has been made in building Road” initiatives with India’s “Spice Route” and new mechanisms and laying down new policy “Mausam” projects, and bring tangible benefits framework. More than fifty countries along the to the peoples in our two countries and Belt and the Road have expressed support for throughout the region. the initiatives; China has either already signed 4. What’s your comment on the 18th or is in the process of signing the “One Belt, One Special Representatives’ Meeting on the Road” cooperation agreements with several China-India boundary question? countries. A set of programmes involving A: On March 23, 2015, the 18th Special building infrastructure, setting up of industries Representatives’ Meeting on the China-India and boosting people-to-people contacts have boundary question was held in New Delhi. Yang already been started. The first Central Asia J i e c h i , S t a te C o u n c i l o r a n d s p e c i a l International Freight Train from Lianyungang representative on the Chinese side and Ajit ( Province), China to Almaty, Doval, the special representative on the Indian Kazakhstan began operation on February 25th. side and Indian National Security Adviser, The construction of Line D of the China-Central exchanged in-depth views on the boundary Asia natural gas pipeline project has already question and had strategic communication on begun. The eastern route of the China-Russia bilateral relations and international and natural gas pipeline project will be constructed regional issues of common concern. This is the very soon and the agreement on the western first boundary question talk since the Indian route will be signed shortly. All the above new government took office, as well as the projects mark the early harvest of the appointment the Indian new Special initiatives. The founding of Asian Infrastructure Representative. The meeting was in a friendly Investment Bank has not only been welcomed and candid atmosphere. by the Asian countries, but developed The two sides reviewed the positive countries, including France, Germany, Britain, progress achieved at the previous special Canada have also clearly expressed willingness representatives’ meetings over the past years to join it. The bank currently has 41 prospective and stressed to continue advancing the progress founding member countries. of framework negotiation along a right track on India enjoys unique geographical location, the basis of the realized results and consensus was a significant country along the ancient silk while taking the big picture of bilateral relations roads and spice route, and is situated at the and the long-term interests of the two peoples unique crossing point of the contemporary Belt into consideration. Both sides reaffirmed to and Road. India is China’s natural and properly manage and control conflicts and join significant cooperation partner in promoting efforts to maintain the peace and tranquility in the “Belt and Road” initiatives. Last year, India the boundary area before the boundary became one of the first prospective founding question is finally settled. members of the Asian Infrastructure As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Investment Bank and hosted its second chief the press conference held by the Third Session negotiators’ meeting in Mumbai in late January of the Twelfth National People’s Congress, the this year. In the second half of this year, India China-India boundary question is a legacy of will also host the third meeting of BCIM history. At the moment, the boundary Economic Corridor Joint Working Group. All negotiation is in the process of building up small these reflect positive and cooperative attitude positive developments. It is like climbing a of India to the “Belt and Road” initiatives. China mountain. The going is tough and that is only is willing to strengthen the communication and because we are on the way up. This is all the 12 China India Relations News From China April 2015

more reason that we should do more to countries is part of a policy of encirclement. strengthen China-India cooperation, so that we What’s your comment on it? can enable and facilitate the settlement of the A: China adheres to peaceful development. boundary question. China does not have any tradition of expansion, 5. There is a trade imbalance between or any intention to expand. India suffered India and China, with India’s trade deficit of invasion and occupation by other major powers $37.8 billion. Bilateral trade in 2014 topped in history, while China as the largest neighbor, $ 70.6 billion. How can we correct this always kept friendly relations with India, kept imbalance? up civilization communication and exchange, A: The Chinese side does not like trade and has never conspired against India or other surplus and prefers balanced trade. China takes neighboring countries. the Indian concern of trade imbalance very Cooperation between China with South seriously. Although the main reason for our Asian countries is based on the foundation of trade imbalance lies in the objective factors like common development. South Asian countries difference in industrial structures of our two are willing to cooperate with China, and ride the countries, we are willing to provide Chinese express train of rapid development. opportunities to increase India’s exports to China is also willing to share development China. opportunities with South Asian countries. Since 2008, the Ministry of Commerce of Cooperation between China and South Asian China has sent six trade promotion delegations countries is open, transparent, and beneficial to to boost imports from India. China warmly all the concerned countries. There are no welcomes the Indian side to expand trade with ulterior motives and no need for India to worry. China through various trading platforms, such China is also willing to work with India to as China-South Asia Expo and China Import and conduct trilateral cooperation and multilateral Export Fair (Canton Fair), and also the Import cooperation in the region, to achieve win-win Promotion Centres recently built in , cooperation and common development. Tianjin and other cities. In order to increase the 7. What’s your view on India and US popularity of the Indian products, China also promoting cooperation? welcomes various Indian chambers of A: China and India are the two largest commerce to hold product promotion events in developing countries in the world and the U.S. is China. Besides, China hopes that India would the biggest developed country in the world. The ease restrictions on exporting its competitive combined GDP and population of these three products such as iron ore etc. to China, reduce countries account for almost 40% of the world. tariffs and encourage Indian companies to As President Xi Jinping has said on relations export more agricultural products. between Beijing and Washington, “the vast To encourage the Chinese enterprises to Pacific Ocean has ample space to accommodate invest in India and participate in the “Make in our two great nations” and on relations India” campaign, the key is to reduce between Beijing and New Delhi, “If we speak restrictions on the business visa for Chinese with one voice, the whole world will listen.” As business people and streamline the procedures. long as we collectively show enough foresight, More Chinese businessmen will bring more courage and open-mindedness, China, India investment, which will help in improving and the U.S. can express similar understanding bilateral trade balance. in three different languages of Chinese, Hindi 6. There is a sense in some media that and English, thus we can realize the trans- China’s cooperation with South Asian Pacific Ocean and trans-Indian Ocean News From China April 2015 China India Relations 13

cooperation in the 21st century. recognize that common interests are far greater At the end of last year, Jack Ma, founder than differences, and must continue to enhance of Alibaba, mentioned during his India understanding, broaden common ground and visit that Alibaba has had a 15-year deepen mutual trust through dialogue and business-to-business relationship with consultation. Only then we would able to seek Indian vendors. 400,000 Chinese are common ground and further expand it while buying tea and spices etc. from India narrowing down differences, and would able to through Alibaba and around 1.3 million take the road of peaceful cooperation never I n d i a n ve n d o r s a re d o i n g b o o m i n g taken before. China, India and the U.S. have business on Alibaba platforms. Alibaba’s widespread need and immense potential for successful listing at the New York Stock cooperation in the bilateral and multilateral Exchange is a glowing testimony of the domains. From interconnecting the world to intertwined interests of and win-win facilitating trade, from global warming to cooperation between China-India-US. energy security, from fighting ebola epidemic to Social systems in China, the U.S. and India defeating terrorism, every single area requires are different, the historical and cultural joint participation, cooperation and backgrounds are also different, however the contribution from these three countries. These interests of the three countries are mutually are the expectations of the international intertwined, and hence “mutual respect” is community from our three countries and also especially important in our relationships. the very essence of the development of the Every side should respect each other’s core trilateral relations between China, India and interests and concerns, must respect each the U.S. other’s choice of the path of development, must 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 15 largest economy in the world. But China’s The construction of “Belt and Road” is development remains unbalanced, especially needed for the common development of the when seen in the context of the eastern and countries along the routes. The initiative involve central or western parts of China. China’s more than 60 countries with 4.4 billion central and western regions accounts for 80% populations and combined GDP of more than 21 of land area and 60% of population, but trillion US dollars, the later two accounting for contributes less than one third to the GDP. The 63% and 29% of the world respectively. It is the mobilization and transfer of the development world’s biggest emerging economies belt. It elements like resources and capital towards the conforms to the need of peace and development central and western regions through the of our times. It meets the desire of people from implementation of the “Belt and Road” initiative various countries to reinvigorate the Silk Road is beneficial for the regions’ transformation. It and achieve common development. It also helps will take the region from the periphery to the in establishing a new model of international forefront of opening-up, will also help in the cooperation and global governance, promoting transformation and upgrading of open harmonious coexistence between different economy in the eastern coastal region, and form races, religions and cultures, and achieving a new pattern of opening-up, which will be diverse, independent, balanced and sustainable marked by coordinated development plans for development of the countries along the routes. land and sea, mutual support between the 2. What does the “Belt and Road” eastern and western parts and its global initiative mean to the world? orientation. Simply speaking, the “Belt and Road” aims to The construction of “Belt and c o n n e c t t h e A s i a - Pa c i f i c Road” is needed for pushing The construction of e c o n o m i c c i rc l e a n d t h e f o r w a r d A s i a’ s r e g i o n a l “Belt and Road” is European economic circle. It aims cooperation. Asia is one of the to forge a community of common most vibrant and promising needed for pushing interest, a community of common regions in the world. Asian forward Asia’s regional responsibility and a community regional cooperation and cooperation. Asia is one of common destiny through development have achieved of the most vibrant and policy coordination, road considerable progress in recent promising regions in the connection, unimpeded trade, years but it is also facing many monetary circulation and mutual constraints, such as diversity of world. understanding between the Asian countries, unbalanced peoples, and realize mutually development between countries, poor beneficial win-win cooperation and create infrastructure, great financial gap, and lack of benefits for the peoples along the belt and the regional integration which is way behind when road. It can be summed up in four “roads”. compared with Europe and America . The “Belt First, it is an open and inclusive road. Mutual and Road” initiative will link Asia’s sub-regions respect and trust are the premise and basis of together and improve the regional trade and friendly cooperation. Openness which is a investment environment, promote the orderly distinct characteristic of the “Belt and Road” flow of capital and proper allocation of initiative not only refers to the openness to resources, promote mutual exchange of needed different regions and countries, but also to products, complement various countries’ different areas and programs of cooperation. advantages, give new impetus to the This is just an initiative taken by China, not a sustainable development of the region, and give Chinese patent or a Chinese “solo”. It is a the wings to the revitalization of whole Asia. “symphony” to be performed by all the 16 China India Relations News From China April 2015

participants. Friendly neighbors and countries and more depth. We will deepen cooperation in along the ancient Silk Road, such as India, and trade and investment, expand the converging also other countries and multilateral points of common interests, and infuse new institutions that are interested in the initiative vitality in the development of countries along can participate in it in a variety of ways. We can the routes thus bringing benefits to a larger jointly write a new chapter in the history of Silk number of people from various countries. Road in the era of globalization, and jointly Third, it is a road of harmonious coexistence. safeguard regional development and stability. It is impossible to build the “Belt and Road” Second, it is a road to mutual benefit and without a peaceful and stable environment. The cooperation. The “Belt and Road” initiative will initiative is not an Asian version of the “Monroe create more opportunities for cooperation Doctrine”, or the “Marshall Plan”, but an among the countries along the routes and help initiative aimed at cooperation. China neither them realize more common interests. The has any special geopolitical strategic intention countries along the routes are at different levels nor any intention to seek dominant right in of economic development, and have their own regional affairs or operate a zone of influence. variations in terms of resources and factors of China will never interfere in the internal affairs production. But, they have complementary of other countries. The “Chinese dream” is as economies and share a common destiny. China soft and beautiful as silk. What we pursue is will actively promote the construction of common development. We want to make a interconnection and intercommunication better life, not only for ourselves, but also for networks. We will achieve openness and other people. We would like to connect integration in an even wider range, higher level ourselves with other developing countries News From China April 2015 China India Relations 17 through “Belt and Road” to pursue and realize international organizations have responded the common dream of development. positively to the initiative. China has signed the It is a road of civilizational blending. A Belt and Road cooperation agreements with civilization is colourful and rich owing to Kazakhstan and four other countries, which are various exchanges, interactions and blending of bearing tangible results. We have initiated the different traditions and values. The “Belt and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Road” initiative is not only about important contributed $40 billion to set up the Silk Road trade routes, but also about cultural corridors Fund. The Asian Infrastructure Investment transcending national borders and temporal Bank and the BRICS Bank are actively preparing limits. By constructing the “Belt and Road”, to start their operations. One month ago, the China will inherit and carry forward the spirit of first Central Asia International Freight Train friendly cooperation of the ancient Silk Road, from Lianyungang (Jiangsu Province), China to promote equal communication between Almaty, Kazakhstan began operation on diverse civilizations, and advance mutual February 25th. The construction of Line D of the under-standing, support and help between the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline project peoples of various countries. This will help in has already begun. The eastern route of the further spreading and blending various China-Russia natural gas pipeline project will be cultures and civilizations, and increase constructed very soon and the agreement on the friendship and trust. western route will be signed shortly. All the 3. How to build the “Belt and Road” above projects mark the early harvest of the The construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative. initiative will be based on the comparative As the next step, China will strengthen advantages and development requirements of bilateral cooperation with the countries along various countries along the route. It will rely on the route, sign MoUs and build joint working economic corridors, build transportation mechanisms. At the same time we will fully infrastructure, provide financing platforms and utilize the existing bilateral and multilateral boost cultural exchange. We will prioritize the mechanisms, will enrich the content and key areas and programs in all directions to fan pattern of the cooperation, jointly draw up out from point to line, and from line to area. On timetables and roadmaps, and connect the land, relying on the international passageways, development strategy and regional cooperation taking the support of central cities along the plan with the countries along the route. China is route, and utilizing important industrial parks willing to steadily take forward the construction as cooperative platform, we will jointly build of pilot projects, jointly specify projects which international economic cooperation corridors will take care of the common interests, and like the New Eurasian Continental Bridge, carry forward the construction of urgently China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic needed projects which are accepted by all Corridor and China-Indochina Peninsula parties. We hope the initiative will come to Economic Corridor. On sea, we will take fruition at an early date, and the peoples along important ports as maritime nodal points and the route will share the fruits. jointly build a smooth, safe and efficient When looking back at the history of the transportation corridor. The BCIM Corridor and exchanges between China and India, overland China-Pakistan Corridor are also important and maritime silk roads come to people’s minds constituents of the initiative; we will take them naturally. Exchange of goods and commodities forward side by side. between our two countries through the ancient In less than a year and a half since its Silk Road gained momentum when envoy Zhang announcement, over fifty countries and Qian from the West Han Dynasty went on the 18 China India Relations News From China April 2015

journey to the western region beyond China. location along the ancient silk roads and spice Through the ancient Silk Road, three well- route and is situated at the unique crossing known and highly-respected Chinese monks, point of the contemporary Belt and Road. India Faxian, Xuanzang and Yijing, made their way to is China’s natural and significant cooperation India to seek Buddist sutras. The West Han partner in promoting the “Belt and Road” Dynasty and India were also linked by a initiative. The BCIM Economic Corridor, as an maritime route called the “South China Sea important part of the “Belt and Road”, is steadily route” or what we often call as the Ancient moving forward. The third meeting of the BCIM Maritime Silk Road. The fleet of Zheng He joint working group will be held in India later docked along the coast of India six times. The this year. Last year, India became one of the first Chinese fishing net he brought to Cochin, the prospective founding members of the Asian south Indian town, is still used by the local Infrastructure Investment Bank and hosted its fishermen a lot. Many Indian scholars and second chief negotiators’ meeting in Mumbai in merchants also went all the way to China and late January this year. All these are positive left their names and stories in Chinese history signals of India participating in and extending books. Hinduism existed in Quanzhou City of support to the “Belt and Road” initiative. China China in the North Song Period more than 1000 will continue strengthening communication years ago and flourished in the Yuan Dynasty. and coordination with India to push the BCIM Stele with inscriptions in Tamil and Chinese forward, promote projects of the “Belt and languages from those periods are preserved till Road” initiative and bring tangible benefits to date. Through the ancient silk roads, the peoples in our two countries and merchants, religious figures and scholars throughout the region. promoted the exchanges between the Chinese China attaches importance to India’s and Indian civilizations. Had it not been for the opinion and advice regarding the “Belt and ancient silk roads, the contemporary Chinese Road” initiative. We are willing to conduct and Indian civilizations would not have been so further policy communication and looking rich and wholesome, and the history of human forward to linking the “Belt and Road” initiative kind would have been different as well. with India’s “Spice Route” and “Mausam” Next five to ten years are immensely projects in order to form “the greatest common important for the development of our two factor” for our cooperation. The Chinese side countries. China and India have been endowed welcomes more and more officials, scholars and with a historic opportunity to make our nations entrepreneurs from the Indian side to engage in strong and peoples prosperous. China has deliberations on the “Belt and Road”. We already entered a critical phase in the process of encourage think tanks from both sides to host comprehensively building a moderately more symposiums just like this one we are prosperous society. The development of China attending today. We support the academic and will bring more opportunities to its neighbors, cultural institutions from both sides to conduct including India. At the same time, India under joint research on ancient silk roads and the the leadership of Prime Minister Modi is history of China-India exchanges. We support actively engaged in reforms and development. the friendly exchanges and practical The common mission of national rejuvenation cooperation between the provinces and states has strengthened the ties between India and from both sides. We would be pleased to see a China. Together we will carry forward the spirit grand scenario of comprehensive engagement of the Silk Road and complement each other for the common development at national, local with respective advantages in order to integrate and entrepreneurial levels. As the largest our development strategies and build the closer countries in Asia, China and India could also partnership for development. discuss win-win cooperation in third countries India enjoyed important geographic with the aim to enhance the wellbeing of News From China April 2015 China India Relations 19

peoples throughout the region. do believe that as long as China and India, the two largest developing countries in the world, Dear friends strive together upholding the Silk Road spirit Since my assuming office half a year ago, I’ve that embodies unity, trust, equality, openness, witnessed rapid development in India under cooperation, mutual learning and benefit, we the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Not long will definitely enjoy peace and development in ago, I visited Pune, Maharastra and made a field harmony and jointly welcome the dawn of Asian trip to the Chinese industrial park there. I must Century. say that the pace of construction and activity Spring season is the symbol of hope, life, and taking place there really impressed me. The vitality. And our discussion together on the industrial park not only provides a platform for history of the Silk Road, the relations between the Chinese companies to invest in India, which “Belt and Road” and regional cooperation and helps to build industrial chains and economic integration bears much more meaning in this corridors of cooperation and common interest, season. I hope that all the representatives here but it is also an important point in the joint will actively interact, and improve mutual efforts of our two countries in promoting the understanding and communication. I believe building of the “Belt one Road”, which will that your opinion and suggestions will be definitely bring a lot of developmental conducive to promote the “Belt and Road” opportunities for India. As Chinese Ambassador cooperation, and contribute to the development to India, I deeply sense the honor and burden. of China-India relations. And my mission is to make every effort to I wish this conference a great success. promote China-India relations to a new height. I Thank you all. 20 External Affairs News From China April 2015

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 worthy of being cherished and taken good care President Xi Jinping and General Secretary of of. the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Recalling their mutual support between the Phu Trong pledged to cement the traditional two nations since their fight for national friendship and boost the comprehensive independence, Xi said reciprocal cooperation strategic cooperative partnership between the has brought substantial benefit for the people of two countries during talks on Tuesday. the two countries, which also helps to promote Xi, also general secretary of the Communist peace, development and prosperity in the Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said region. the China-Vietnam traditional friendship is China and Vietnam share extensive common precious wealth shared by the two parties, the interests, and friendship and cooperation have two nations and the people of the two countries, remained the primary theme of the bilateral News From China April 2015 External Affairs 21

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (4th R) meets with Nguyen Phu Trong (4th 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. The brotherly and comradely traditional Xi proposed the two sides always bear in friendship was formed by late Vietnamese mind the overall situation of China-Vietnam leader Ho Chi Minh and Chinese leader Mao friendship as well as their development, respect Zedong, which should be inherited, Nguyen said. each other, consult with each other in a friendly Nguyen, who is paying an official visit to way, seek common ground while shelving China from Tuesday to Friday at Xi’s invitation, differences, and control their disputes to ensure said the Vietnamese side looks forward to more that the bilateral relationship will develop in a interaction between the leaders of the two right track. countries to enhance the political trust in each Xi said China and Vietnam are facing both other. new opportunities and challenges as the As Vietnam and China are both committed to international situation is undergoing complex the great cause of socialism and carrying out all- and profound changes. He suggested the two round reform, they need friendship, reciprocal parties, as well as the two countries, boost high- cooperation and a peaceful environment for level interactions to find out new solutions to development more than ever, said the their problems and new ideas to advance the Vietnamese leader. bilateral relationship in a sustained way. Vietnam and China share immense common Nguyen also said friendship and interests and it is the common obligation of the cooperation have been the primary themes of two sides as well as the common aspiration of the Vietnam-China relationship over the 65 the people of the two countries to advance the years since the two countries established comprehensive strategic cooperative diplomatic relations. partnership, Nguyen said, adding that it is a 22 External Affairs News From China April 2015

strategic choice of Vietnam to develop friendly affairs to promote peace, stability and ties with China in a sustained and stable way. prosperity in the world, Xi said. On the 21st - Century Maritime Silk Road The two leaders agreed on closer Initiative, Xi said China welcomes Vietnam’s cooperation on defense, security, law- participation and Nguyen said Vietnam was enforcement, infrastructure construction, studying on it. culture, education and tourism among others. The two leaders agreed on making joint They witnessed the signing of a string of deals efforts to control maritime disputes and between the two sides, including a five-year safeguard peace and stability in the South China plan for the cooperation between the two ruling Sea. parties, after their talks at the Great Hall of the Xi voiced China’s support for Vietnam to People. host the Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific After the talks, the two leaders met with a Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2017 as well group of Chinese and Vietnamese youngsters as the building of the ASEAN Community. He and encouraged them to carry forward the also proposed China and Vietnam should make traditional friendship between the two nations. efforts to protect each other’s organizations, Prior to their talks, Xi held a red-carpet enterprises and citizens on their territory. ceremony to welcome the CPV leader. They also China stands ready to strengthen visited an exhibition on theoretical exchanges coordination with Vietnam in international between the two parties.

54th Annual Session of AALCO Opens, Chinese Premier Delivers Keynote Speech News From China April 2015 External Affairs 23

The 54th Annual Session of the Asian- organization established in 1956. It follows in African Legal Consultative Organization the spirit of the 1955 Bandung Conference, opened in Beijing on April 13,2015. Chinese which was to that date the largest gathering of Premier Li Keqiang delivered a keynote speech, Asian and African countries. It was there that saying China will cooperate with the AALCO the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence was members to safeguard the post war built upon, and the Ten Principles on handling international order and promote the rule of law state-to-state relations were put forward, at the international level. emphasizing peace, equality and sovereignty, This is the second time Beijing has hosted among others. the annual session of the AALCO. The first time This year’s AALCO session focuses on topics was in 1990. as varied as international law in cyberspace, Li said this year’s meeting is very important workings of investment treaties, law of the sea as it coincides with a political milestone, the and legal aspects on violent extremism and 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. terrorism. “The international community and China Li said it is important to safeguard the post- will hold a series of events to commemorate the war international order, as this year also marks 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United will attend the related activities. This session of Nations. Li said peace, development and win- the Asian-African Legal Consultative win cooperation are the prevailing trends of our Organization is part of the commemorative times. activities,” Li said. “China will support the cause and work of “The meeting itself is sending a clear signal the AALCO as always. I’d like to announce that to the international community that China is China will fund the establishment of the China- willing to work together with Asian and African AALCO International Research and Exchange countries and the rest of world to continue Program. That shows our respect for the upholding the spirit of the Bandung Conference contribution made by all the AALCO members, and safeguard the post-war international and it will also help strengthen Asian-African order.” countries’ cooperation on the rule of law at the The AALCO is an intergovernmental international level,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin Meets with Wang Yi

In the afternoon of April 7, 2015, President the reality and long-term needs of the two Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia met nations. The Russia-China cooperation has also with Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Kremlin in grown into the most important factor to Moscow. safeguard the stability in the current world. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin noted that the Russia earnestly looks forward to President Xi Russia-China relations have reached an Jinping’s visit to Russia and his attendance of the unprecedented high, and the quality for celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of bilateral cooperation is completely in line with the victory of the anti-fascist war in the near 24 External Affairs News From China April 2015

future. Russia firmly supports China in its and supported each other, and devoted to efforts to safeguard its core interests and backs mutually beneficial cooperation and common the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road development, providing the exchanges between Economic Belt put forward by President Xi major countries with useful experience and Jinping. Russia stands ready to, together with becoming a model of practice for building a new China, intensify the comprehensive type of international relations. In order to cooperation in practical fields and boost address the new changes in the global and coordination and cooperation in international regional arena, China and Russia should connect affairs, so as to address the challenges emerged the initiative of Silk Road Economic Belt, the in the development of the two countries and construction of Railway across Eurasia, as well faced by the global peace and security. as the economic integration process in Eurasia Wang Yi said that over the past two-odd together, expand new cooperation fields, build years, President Xi Jinping and President new cooperation platforms, and continue Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin made a top-level boosting people-to-people and cultural design and strategic guidance for the bilateral exchanges to consolidate the public opinion and relations by taking the big picture of the social foundation for the bilateral friendship. development and revitalization of both China B o t h s i d e s s h o u l d a l s o t a k e t h e and Russia into consideration and bearing in commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the mind the general situation of peace and victory of the WWII as an opportunity to development in the world, so as to keep the intensify cooperation and coordination in China-Russia comprehensive strategic international affairs and to firmly safeguard the partnership of coordination running at a high common interests of both sides. level and push it towards a new development On the same day, Wang Yi laid a wreath at the stage. China and Russia have always respected 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 other six countries and High Representative for Minister Wang Yi gave an interview to Chinese Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU, media on the sidelines of the Meeting of Foreign and attended three foreign ministers’ meetings. Ministers of the Six Countries and Iran on the Through intensive multilateral and bilateral Iranian Nuclear Issue in Lausanne, Switzerland contacts, the focus of the issues has been and introduced the progress of the negotiation. defined at present, the thinking of settlement is Wang Yi expressed that the marathon-like taking shape, and the differences among all negotiation on the Iranian nuclear issue has parties are narrowing. entered the final phase. This time foreign Wang Yi said that the negotiation involves ministers of seven countries gathered in many aspects and is very complicated. At the Lausanne to clarify the significant headways same time, internal and external factors achieved in the negotiation on a higher level, influencing the negotiation are gathering and sort out remaining core issues, and discuss how escalating. It is at such moment that we need to to form the thinking and path to tackle these maintain composure, consolidate confidence issues. After I arrived in Lausanne yesterday, I and meet each other half way, and only by doing had met respectively with foreign ministers of so can we prevent from falling short of success 26 External Affairs News From China April 2015

at the last stage. actively participates in the negotiation as an Wang Yi said that through the course of important party, plays a constructive role, pays many years, the negotiation has witnessed attention to looking for positive factors in progress in multiple aspects, and a sound positions of all parties and puts them together foundation for reaching a comprehensive to form the thinking to solve the issue. The agreement has been laid. It is hoped that with opinions and advices of the Chinese side were the efforts of all parties at the foreign ministers’ highly valued by various parties. We will meeting this time, a road will finally be paved to continue to do so at the final stage of the solve the Iranian nuclear issue as scheduled. negotiation. Wang Yi noted that the Chinese side always

AIIB Founders Finalized at 57

Beijing, April 15 ( X i n h u a ) — T h e prospective founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Invest- m e n t B a n k ( A I I B ) finalized at 57 on Wednesday after seven more countries were a p p r o v e d , C h i n a ’ s Ministry of Finance said. Sweden, Israel, South A f r i c a , A z e rb a i j a n , Iceland, Portugal and Poland were newly included as founding members on Wednesday. Though the deadline Mr. Shi Yaobin(R), Vice Finance Minister of China accepts interview on AIIB in Beijing , China on April 15, 2015. Xinhua Chen Jianli for founding member- ( / ) ship 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 27

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 Ladies and Gentlemen, Government, Dear Friends, Ministers, Boao today greets us with vast ocean, high Heads of International and Regional sky and warm breeze. In this beautiful season of Organizations, spring, it is of great significance that so many Members of the Board of Directors of the Boao distinguished guests gather here to discuss the Forum for Asia, development strategies for Asia and the world. 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 will witness the completion of the ASEAN Chinese government and people and in my own Community. As such, it is an important year to be name, heartfelt welcome to all the commemorated as well as a historic juncture to distinguished guests attending the Boao Forum reflect on the past and look to the future. for Asia Annual Conference 2015, and my warm Over the past 70 years, the world has congratulations on the opening of the experienced profound changes as never before, conference. making a difference to the destiny of mankind. The theme of this year’s conference is “Asia’s With the days of global colonialism and the Cold New Future: Towards a Community of Common War long gone, countries are now increasingly Destiny”. The timing could not be better in that interconnected and interdependent. Peace, the theme has not only great immediate development and win-win cooperation have relevance but also long-term historical become the prevailing trend of our times. The significance. And I am looking to all of you to international forces are shifting in a way that is express yourselves fully and contribute your more favorable to maintaining world peace. insightful views to the cause of peace and Countries are now in a better position to uphold development of Asia and beyond. general stability in the world and seek common Ladies and Gentlemen, development. Dear Friends, Over the past 70 years, Asia has also gone There are certain historic occasions that are through unprecedented changes. After gaining likely to remind people of what happened in the national independence, Asian countries took past and set people reflecting on them. This their destiny in their own hands and year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of strengthened the force for regional and world the World Anti-Fascist War, the victory of the peace. Asian countries were the first to advocate Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and, Japanese Aggression and the founding of the together with African countries, put forward the United Nations. This year is also the 60th Ten Principles on handling state-to-state anniversary of the Bandung Conference and relations at the Bandung Conference. Since the News From China April 2015 2015 Boao Forum for Asia 29 end of the Cold War, Asian countries have importance has been rising. gradually come up with an Asian way of Over the past 70 years, Asian countries have cooperation in the course of advancing regional gradually transcended their differences in cooperation, which features mutual respect, ideology and social system. No longer cut off consensus-building and accommodation of from each other, they are now open and each other’s comfort levels. All this has inclusive, with suspicion and estrangement contributed to a proper approach to state-to- giving way to growing trust and appreciation. state relations and to progress in building a new The interests of Asian countries have become type of international relations. intertwined, and a community of common Over the past 70 years, more and more destiny has increasingly taken shape. Be it the Asian countries have found development paths arduous struggle for national independence, or that suit their own national conditions and the difficult periods of the Asian financial crisis embarked on a fast-track of economic growth. and the international financial crisis, or the hard H av i n g e m e rg e d f ro m p ove r t y a n d time in the wake of devastating disasters backwardness, they are on course to achieve including the Indian Ocean tsunami and development and prosperity. Regional and earthquake in Wenchuan, China, the people of inter-regional cooperation is flourishing. Asian countries have always come to those in Connectivity is pursued at a faster pace. As a need with a helping hand and worked together result, there is a strong momentum in Asia with to overcome one challenge after another, countries striving to outperform each other. demonstrating the power of unity in face of Accounting for one third of the world economy, difficulties and the spirit of sharing weal and Asia is one of the most dynamic regions with the woe. This said, Asia still faces numerous most potential and its global strategic 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) 30 2015 Boao Forum for Asia News From China April 2015

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 Ladies and Gentlemen, associated with current disputes. Asia is also Dear Friends, confronted with various traditional and non- Asia belongs to the world. For Asia to move traditional security threats. Hence it remains an towards a community of common destiny and uphill battle for Asian countries to grow the embrace a new future, it has to follow the world economy, improve people’s livelihood and trend and seek progress and development in eliminate poverty. tandem with that of the world. A review of the path traversed over the past 70 years shows that what has been The international situation continues to accomplished in Asia today is attributable to the experience profound and complex changes, persistent efforts of several generations of with significant development in multi- people in Asian countries and to the hard work polarization and economic globalization. of many statesmen and people of great vision. Cultural diversity and IT application are making Tomorrow, Singapore will hold a state funeral constant progress while readjustment is for Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Mr. Lee was a strategist accelerating in international landscape and and statesman respected across the world for order. Countries around the world are losing no his outstanding contribution to the peace and time in adjusting their development strategies, development of Asia and the exchanges and pursuing transformation and innovation, cooperation between Asia and the world. I want changing their economic development models, to take this opportunity to pay high tribute to improving economic structures and opening up Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and all those who made new horizons for further development. At the contribution to Asia’s peace and development. same time, however, the world economy is still News From China April 2015 2015 Boao Forum for Asia 31 in a period of profound adjustment, with risks other countries’ growing strength, policies and of low growth, low inflation and low demand visions. Efforts should be made to seek common interwoven with risks of high unemployment, ground while shelving differences, and better high debt and high level of bubbles. The still to increase common interests and dissolve performance and policies of major economies differences. The hard-won peace and stability in continue to diverge, and uncertainties in the Asia and the sound momentum for development economic climate remain prominent. should be upheld by all. All of us must oppose Geopolitical factors are more at play and local interference in other countries’ internal affairs turmoils keep cropping up. Non-traditional and reject attempts to destablize the region out security threats and global challenges including of selfish motives. terrorism, cyber security, energy security, food — To build a community of common destiny, security, climate change and major infectious we need to seek win-win cooperation and diseases are on the rise, and the North-South common development. Our friends in Southeast gap is still wide. The noble cause of peace and Asia say that the lotus flowers grow taller as the development remains a long and arduous water rises. Our friends in Africa say that if you journey for mankind. want to go fast, walk alone; and if you want to go We have only one planet, and countries far, walk together. Our friends in Europe say that share one world. To do well, Asia and the world a single tree cannot block the chilly wind. And could not do without each other. Facing the fast Chinese people say that when big rivers have changing international and regional water, the small ones are filled; and when small landscapes, we must see the whole picture, rivers have water, the big ones are filled. All follow the trend of our times and jointly build a these sayings speak to one same truth, that is, regional order that is more favorable to Asia and only through win-win cooperation can we make the world. We should, through efforts towards big and sustainable achievements that are such a community for Asia, promote a beneficial to all. The old mindset of zero-sum community of common interest for all mankind. game should give way to a new approach of win- I wish to take this opportunity to share with you win and all-win cooperation. The interests of my thoughts on this vision. others must be accommodated while pursuing — To build a community of common one’s own interests, and common development destiny, we need to make sure that all countries must be promoted while seeking one’s own respect one another and treat each other as development. The vision of win-win equals. Countries may differ in size, strength or cooperation not only applies to the economic level of development, but they are all equal field, but also to the political, security, cultural members of the international community with and many other fields. It not only applies to equal rights to participate in regional and countries within the region, but also to international affairs. On matters that involve us cooperation with countries from outside the all, we should discuss and look for a solution region. We should enhance coordination of together. Being a big country means macroeconomic policies to prevent negative shouldering greater responsibilities for spill-over effects that may arise from economic regional and world peace and development, as policy changes in individual economies. We opposed to seeking greater monopoly over should actively promote reform of global regional and world affairs. economic governance, uphold an open world To respect one another and treat each other economy, and jointly respond to risks and as equals, countries need to, first and foremost, challenges in the world economy. respect other countries’ social systems and China and ASEAN countries will join hands development paths of their own choice, respect in building an even closer China-ASEAN each other’s core interests and major concerns community of common destiny. The building of and have objective and rational perception of an East Asia economic community for ASEAN, 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 China proposes that plans be formulated 2020. We should actively build a free trade regarding connectivity building in East Asia and cooperation network in Asia and strive to Asia at large to advance full integration in conclude negotiations on an upgraded China- infrastructure, policies and institutions and ASEAN FTA and on Regional Comprehensive personnel flow. We may increase maritime Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2015. In connectivity, speed up institution building for advancing economic integration in Asia, we marine cooperation in Asia, and step up need to stay committed to open regionalism cooperation in marine economy, environmental and move forward trans-regional cooperation, protection, disaster management and fishery. including APEC, in a coordinated manner. This way, we could turn the seas of Asia into seas We will vigorously promote a system of of peace, friendship and cooperation for Asian regional financial cooperation, explore a countries. platform for exchanges and cooperation among — To build a community of common destiny, Asian financial institutions, and advance we need to pursue common, comprehensive, complementary and coordinated development cooperative and sustainable security. In today’s between the Asian Infrastructure Investment world, security means much more than before Bank (AIIB) and such multilateral financial and its implications go well beyond a single institutions as the Asian Development Bank and region or time frame. All sorts of factors could the World Bank. We will strengthen practical have a bearing on a country’s security. As people cooperation in currency stability, investment of all countries share common destiny and and financing, and credit rating, make progress become increasingly interdependent, no in institution building for the Chiang Mai country could have its own security ensured Initiative Multilateralization and build a without the security of other countries or of the regional financial security network. We will wider world. The Cold War mentality should work towards an energy and resources truly be discarded and new security concepts be cooperation mechanism in Asia to ensure nurtured as we explore a path for Asia that energy and resources security. ensures security for all, by all and of all. News From China April 2015 2015 Boao Forum for Asia 33

We believe that countries are all entitled to friendship for our people, drive human take an equal part in regional security affairs and development and safeguard peace of the world. all are obliged to work to ensure security for the China proposes that a conference of region. The legitimate security concerns of each dialogue among Asian civilizations be held to country need to be respected and addressed. At provide a platform upon which to enhance the same time, in handling security issues in Asia, interactions among the youth, people’s groups, it is important to bear in mind both the history local communities and the media and to form a and reality of Asia, take a multi-pronged and network of think-tank cooperation, so as to add holistic approach, improve coordinated regional to Asian people’s rich cultural life and security governance, and safeguard security in contribute to more vibrant regional cooperation both the traditional and non-traditional realms. and development. It is important to conduct dialogue and Ladies and Gentlemen, cooperation to enhance security at national and Dear Friends, regional levels, and to increase cooperation as the way to safeguard peace and security. It is Right now, the Chinese people are working important to resolve disputes through peaceful in unison under the strategic plans to complete means, and oppose the willful use or threat of the building of a moderately prosperous society force. Security should be given equal emphasis as in all respects, and to comprehensively deepen development, and sustainable development reform, advance law-based governance, and surely provides a way to sustainable security. enforce strict Party conduct. Our objective is to Countries in Asia need to step up cooperation realize the “two centenary” goals for China’s with countries and organizations outside the development and for realizing the Chinese region and all parties are welcome to play a dream of great national rejuvenation. I wish to positive and constructive role in upholding use this opportunity to reaffirm China’s development and security in Asia. commitment to the path of peaceful — To build a community of common development, and to promoting cooperation destiny, we need to ensure inclusiveness and and common development in the Asia-Pacific. mutual learning among civilizations. History, China will be firm in its determination and over the past millennia, has witnessed ancient resolve and all its policies will be designed to civilizations appear and thrive along the Yellow achieve such a purpose. and Yangtze Rivers, the Indus, the Ganges, the Now, the Chinese economy has entered a Euphrates, and the Tigris River as well as in state of new normal. It is shifting gear from high Southeast Asia, each adding its own splendour speed to medium-to-high speed growth, from an to the progress of human civilization. Today, extensive model that emphasized scale and Asia has proudly maintained its distinct speed to a more intensive one emphasizing diversity and still nurtures all the civilizations, quality and efficiency, and from being driven by ethnic groups and religions in this big Asian investment in production factors to being family. driven by innovation. China’s economy grew by Mencius, the great philosopher in ancient 7.4% in 2014, with 7% increase in labor China, said, “Things are born to be different.” productivity and 4.8% decrease in energy Civilizations are only unique, and no one is intensity. The share of domestic consumption in superior to the other. There need to be more GDP rose, the services sector expanded at a exchange and dialogue among civilizations and faster pace, and the economy’s efficiency and development models, so that each could draw quality continued to improve. When looking at on the strength of the other and all could thrive China’s economy, one should not focus on and prosper by way of mutual learning and growth rate only. As the economy continues to common development. Let us promote inter- grow in size, around 7% growth would be quite civilization exchanges to build bridges of impressive, and the momentum it generates 34 2015 Boao Forum for Asia News From China April 2015

would be larger than growth at double digits in to achieve its goal with force ever succeeded. previous years. It is fair to say that the Chinese China will be steadfast in pursuing the economy is highly resilient and has much independent foreign policy of peace, the path of potential, which gives us enough room to peaceful development, the win-win strategy of leverage a host of policy tools. Having said that, opening-up, and the approach of upholding China will continue to be responsive to the new justice while pursuing shared interests. China trend and take initiatives to shape the new will work to promote a new type of international normal in our favor. We will focus on improving relations of win-win cooperation and will always quality and efficiency, and give even greater remain a staunch force for world peace and priority to shifting the growth model and common development. adjusting the structure of development. We will Close neighbors are better than distant make more solid efforts to boost economic relatives. This is a simple truth that the Chinese development and deepen reform and opening- people got to know in ancient times. That up. We will take more initiatives to unleash the explains China’s firm commitment to building creativity and ingenuity of the people, be more friendship and partnership with its neighbors to effective in safeguarding equity and social foster an amicable, secure and prosperous justice, raise people’s living standards and neighborhood. Under the principle of amity, make sure that China’s economic and social sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, development are both sound and stable. China is working actively to deepen win-win This new normal of the Chinese economy cooperation and connectivity with its neighbors will continue to bring more opportunities of to bring them even more benefit with its own trade, growth, investment and cooperation for development. China has signed treaties of good- other countries in Asia and beyond. In the neighborliness, friendship and cooperation coming five years, China will import more than with eight of its neighbors and is holding US$10 trillion of goods, Chinese investment discussion to sign a same treaty with ASEAN. abroad will exceed US$500 billion, and more China stands ready to sigh such a treaty with all than 500 million outbound visits will be made its neighbors to provide strong support for the by Chinese tourists. China will stick to its basic development of bilateral relations as well as state policy of opening up, improve its prosperity and stability in the region. investment climate, and protect the lawful In 2013, during my visit to Kazakhstan and rights and interests of investors. I believe that Indonesia, I put forward the initiatives of together, the people of Asian countries could building a Silk Road economic belt and a 21st drive this train of Asia’s development to take century maritime Silk Road. The “Belt and Road” Asia to an even brighter future. initiative, meeting the development needs of What China needs most is a harmonious and China, countries along the routes and the region stable domestic environment and a peaceful and at large, will serve the common interests of tranquil international environment. Turbulence relevant parties and answer the call of our time or war runs against the fundamental interests of for regional and global cooperation. the Chinese people. The Chinese nation loves In promoting this initiative, China will peace and has, since ancient times, held high follow the principle of wide consultation, joint such philosophies that “harmony is the most contribution and shared benefits. The programs valuable”, “peace and harmony should prevail” of development will be open and inclusive, not and “all men under heaven are brothers”. China exclusive. They will be a real chorus comprising has suffered from turbulence and war for more all countries along the routes, not a solo for than a century since modern times, and the China itself. To develop the Belt and Road is not Chinese people would never want to inflict the to replace existing mechanisms or initiatives for same tragedy on other countries or peoples. regional cooperation. Much to the contrary, we History has taught us that no country who tried will build on the existing basis to help countries News From China April 2015 2015 Boao Forum for Asia 35 align their development strategies and form These early harvests have truly pointed to the complementarity. Currently, more than 60 broad prospects the “Belt and Road” initiative countries along the routes and international will bring. organizations have shown interest in taking Ladies and Gentlemen, part in the development of the Belt and the Dear Friends, Road. The “Belt and Road” and the AIIB are both open initiatives. We welcome all countries The cause of peace and development of along the routes and in Asia, as well as our mankind is as lofty as its is challenging. The friends and partners around the world, to take journey ahead will not be smooth sailing, and an active part in these endeavors. success may not come easily. No matter how The “Belt and Road” initiative is not meant long and difficult the journey may be, those who as rhetoric. It represents real work that could be work together and never give up will eventually seen and felt to bring real benefits to countries prevail. I believe that as long as we keep to our in the region. Thanks to the concerted efforts of goals and make hard efforts, we will together relevant parties, the vision and action paper of bring about a community of common destiny the initiative has been developed. Substantive and usher in a new future for Asia. progress has been made in the establishment of I wish the Annual Conference a complete the AIIB. The Silk Road Fund has been launched, success. and constructions of a number of infrastructure Thank you very much. connectivity projects are moving forward.

Chinese President Meets with Foreign Leaders During Boao Forum China welcomes Nepal to join Belt and Road Initiative

Boao, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) — Chinese ties, Xi called on the two sides to be well President Xi Jinping met with Nepalese prepared for a series of commemorative President Ram Baran Yadav during the 2015 activities. Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in South China’s He suggested the two countries should Hainan Province on Saturday, welcoming Nepal strengthen cooperation in traffic inter- to participate in the Belt and Road cooperation. connectivity, infrastructure, hydropower Welcoming Yadav to the annual conference, development, modernization of agriculture, Xi said China-Nepal relationship is a model of science and technology. peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial China is willing to initiate the negotiations cooperation between big and small countries. on Free Trade Agreement with Nepal at an early We cherish the traditional friendship with date, he said, also calling on the two sides to Nepal, said Xi, adding that China is willing to be enhance law-enforcement and security Nepal’s good friend of mutual respect and cooperation. mutual support, good partner of common China appreciates Nepal’s firm support on development and common prosperity and good issues concerning China’s core interests, neighbor of mutual assistance in security. including issues related to Tibet and , As this year marks the 60th anniversary of said the president. the establishment of China-Nepal diplomatic China will continue to support Nepal’s effort 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 Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and China, in a territorial integrity, he added. bid to promote regional interconnectivity and Xi voiced the hope that Nepal would not economic development, he said. allow any forces to use Nepal’s territory to Nepal appreciates China’s important and engage in anti-China separatist activities. positive role in international affairs and hopes He also called on the two sides to beef up to enhance cooperation with China, he added. cooperation in the areas of youth exchanges and President Xi Emphasizes Mutual tourism and enhance coordination on Respect in Ties with Sweden multilateral occasions to safeguard their common interests. Boao, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) — Chinese Yadav said Nepal would never allow its President Xi Jinping said China and Sweden territory to be used by any anti-China activities. should strengthen political guidance and input Nepal supports China’s initiatives of jointly on bilateral links by respecting each other’s core building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st- interests and major concern. Century Maritime Silk Road as well as the Asian Xi made the remark as he met here Saturday Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), said with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Yadav. who is in Boao to attend the annual meeting of Nepal calls for strengthened cooperation the Boao Forum for Asia . between the South Asian Association of Xi said that Lofven’s China visit is his first News From China April 2015 2015 Boao Forum for Asia 37

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 Xi said the two countries should strengthen Prime Minister. This reflects the importance cooperative partnership in the areas of that Lofven and Sweden attach to relations with sustainable growth, industrial upgrading, China. innovation and green economy on the basis of Xi said Sweden is the first Western country existing cooperation on information and that established official relations with the new telecommunication technology, upper-end China. Since the two countries set up diplomatic manufacturing, energy efficiency, environment links 65 years ago, bilateral relations have grow protection and new energy. from tiny to big and from weak to strong and Xi said the two countries should strengthen achieved remarkable results. cultural and people-to-people exchanges and Xi emphasized that in the next step, the two set up platforms for exchanges between the sides should strengthen political guidance, youth. He expressed the hope that the Swedish respect each other’s core interests and major side will provide convenience on visa issuing for concern. Chinese citizens who visit Sweden for business He said the two sides should increase top- or vacation. level plan of and political input into bilateral He called on the two countries to step up relations by maintaining the momentum of communication and coordination on the post- high-level contact and expanding common 2015 UN development agenda, climate changes ground. and global health security. 38 2015 Boao Forum for Asia News From China April 2015

Lofven thanked Xi for inviting him to attend strengthen communication and coordination the Boao Forum for Asia, saying Xi’s speech at with China within the framework of the United the opening ceremony pointed out the future Nations. route of Asian cooperation and is of great President Xi Calls for Greater Growth of significance for Sweden and Europe. China-Netherlands Ties Lofven said the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB) initiative that Xi put Boao, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) — Chinese forward is very important. He said Sweden is President Xi Jinping said here Saturday China is highly interested in the AIIB initiative and ready to work with the Netherlands for even wishes to carry out cooperation with China on greater growth of bilateral links. it. Xi made the remark as he met with the Dutch He said bilateral trade and economic ties are Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is here to growing smoothly as China’s investment in attend the Boao Forum for Asia in south China’s Sweden increases. He expressed the wish to Hainan province. carry out cooperation with China on clean and During his visit to the Netherlands last year, efficient transport, research, innovation and Xi and Rutte decided to set up the China- green growth. Netherlands comprehensive cooperative Lofven said Sweden actively engages in partnership that is open and practical. international affairs and places importance on Xi emphasized that both countries should China’s role. He expressed the readiness to 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 2015 Boao Forum for Asia 39 respecting each other’s core interests and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak during major concern so as to secure sustainable, the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in South healthy and stable growth of their links. China’s Hainan Province on Friday, pledging to Xi said the two countries should innovate strengthen their comprehensive strategic the way of cooperation by expanding and partnership. deepening cooperation in the areas of farm Welcoming Najib to the annual conference, produces, dairy industry, pollution control and Xi said China-Malaysia relations are at their clean energy. He expressed the wish that the best, with highlights including the promotion of Netherlands will expand exports of hi-tech practical cooperation in various areas, including products and technology to China. emergency response. Xi said the two sides should exchange visit “I hope to enhance communication and by high-caliber art groups, continue exchanges coordination with you to advance our between their museums and art galleries and comprehensive strategic partnership,” Xi told increase cultural exchanges. Najib. Rutte said President Xi’s visit to the Xi said leaders of both countries should Netherlands last year was a big success and maintain smooth exchanges and communicate greatly promoted bilateral political and on issues of mutual interest in a timely manner. economic exchanges. He said King Willem- China and Malaysia should respect, trust Alexander and Queen Maxima are expecting to and accommodate each other, Xi said, calling on pay a state visit to China. the two sides to expand cooperation in Rutte said the Netherlands has decided to industrial parks, railway, finance, law apply for an initial membership of the Asian enforcement and defense and security. Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and will Xi encouraged more exchanges between immediately communicate with China on this students, the youth, local regions, and issue. strengthened coordination in international Prior to his trip to Boao, Rutte led a affairs. delegation of Netherlands business figures to China will continue to support building of Shanghai in east China and Shenzhen in the the Association of Southeast Asian Nations south. He said they achieved highly satisfactory (ASEAN) community and support the ASEAN to results during the visit and expect to launch play a leading role in East Asian cooperation, Xi businesses in China. said. Rutte expressed the hope that there would This year, China and ASEAN will formulate be a greater amount of Dutch farm produce the third action plan for strategic partnership entering the China market. He appreciated and launch the China-ASEAN maritime China’s effort to govern the country by law and cooperation year as well as building the 21st lift quality of economic growth. He expressed Century Maritime Silk Road, Xi said. the belief that China’s effort will provide a “China hopes Malaysia will play its due role better environment for bilateral cooperation. as rotating chair of ASEAN and push for Rutte said the Netherlands will strengthen headway in China-ASEAN relations,” he said. cultural exchanges with China, including Najib said Malaysia regards China as a Chinese language teaching. He welcomes more diplomatic priority, voicing confidence that Chinese tourists to his country. existing robust ties will continue to grow. China, Malaysia Pledge to Enhance Ties He thanked China for it’s help within international and bilateral frameworks, and Boao, Hainan, March 27 (Xinhua) — said the country is willing to work with China to Chinese President Xi Jinping met with deepen the comprehensive strategic 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. President Xi Jinping Thursday called on Sri Najib hoped both countries could expand Lanka to protect the legitimate interests of trade relations, provincial exchanges and Chinese companies, expressing willingness to defense and law-enforcement cooperation. deepen cooperation in trade and infrastructure. He said Malaysia welcomes the Bank of Xi made the remarks during talks with Sri China to set up yuan clearing bank in Malaysia Lanka’s new President Maithripala Sirisena, and supports China’s Asia Infrastructure who is paying a state visit to China and to attend Investment Bank and 21st Century Maritime the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia. Silk Road initiatives. “China’s cooperation with Sri Lanka is based Najib said his country would deal with any on mutual benefit and a win-win situation, bilateral problems with a diplomatic and without any political preconditions,” Xi said, practical approach. adding that China wishes to help Sri Lanka Malaysia is willing to enhance ASEAN-China sustain its development. cooperation during its rotating presidency and Sirisena said the current situation with a promote ASEAN members to actively China-funded port in Colombo is temporary and participate in the building of the 21st Century the problems do not lie with China. He said his Maritime Silk Road, he said. country welcomes more investment from China, Chinese President Meets with promising a healthy investment climate. The 1.4 billion-U.S. dollar port city was part Lankan President of a deal reached between China and Sri Lanka Beijing, March 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese under the former Sri Lankan government. The News From China April 2015 2015 Boao Forum for Asia 41

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, support China’s efforts to enhance cooperation decided to re-examine it. with South Asian Association for Regional Xi and Sirisena pledged to continue the Cooperation. longstanding friendship between the two Sri Lanka eyes more cooperation with China countries. Xi stressed the friendship should be in trade, education, science and defense, “carefully inherited, protected and developed” Sirisena said, thanking China’s support for while Sirisena said the new government will Hambantota port and promising his country take more robust measures to continue friendly will work with China to implement all the big cooperation with China. projects agreements reached. Calling on both sides to conclude The 21st Century maritime silk road also negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement at an emerge during their talks. Xi called on both early date, Xi said China is willing to encourage sides to make full use of the 40 billion U.S. dollar Chinese businesses to invest in Sri Lanka and Silk Road fund and the Asian Infrastructure help develop its manufacturing industry. Investment Bank to steadily push forward big Xi said both sides should work to expand projects and industrial cooperation. cooperation in health, agriculture, science, Calling the ancient Silk Road a shared tourism and human resources as well as historical legacy, Sirisena said Sri Lanka is exchanges in military and regional and willing to work with China within the international affairs. He hoped Sri Lanka framework of the 21st Century maritime silk 42 2015 Boao Forum for Asia News From China April 2015

road. Council and other international bodies. The U.N. Xi said China and Sri lanka should continue Human Rights Council postponed the release of bilateral friendly cooperation and be trust- a report on alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka from worthy and reliable friends. He said China March until September after the new respects Sri Lankan people’s choice of government requested more time to do its own development path in accordance with their probe into the violations. national conditions and their efforts to After the talks, the two presidents witnessed safeguard independence, sovereignty, stability the signing of documents on infrastructure, and development. health and other sectors. Both countries should understand and Prior to the talks, Xi held a red-carpet support each other on territory and sovereignty ceremony for Sirisena at the Great Hall of the related issues, Xi said, adding that China is People. willing to enhance exchanges with Sri Lanka in China, Indonesia Pledge Closer state governance and hopes Sri Lanka can Strategic Partnership achieve more in national development. Sirisena thanked China’s firm backing for Beijing, March 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese his country in the United Nations Human Rights 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 2015 Boao Forum for Asia 43

Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo Thursday a c c e l e ra t e m a r i t i m e i n f ra s t r u c t u re and they pledged to strengthen the development with the help of the Asian comprehensive strategic partnership between Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the the two countries. Silk Road Fund, Xi said, highlighting the “China and Indonesia are strategically construction of ports, high speed railways, interdependent on, and economically airports and coastal economic special zones as complementary to, each other and there is well as the ship-building sector. immense potential for reciprocal cooperation Xi said China would also encourage more between the two countries,” Xi said as he talked Chinese enterprises to join Indonesia’s with the Indonesian president at the Great Hall development drive and was ready to expand of the People. two-way investment. At Xi’s invitation, Joko is paying his first China will support Indonesia in its state visit to China this week and will attend commemorative events for the 60th the the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) anniversary of the Bandung Conference, which conference, which will be held from Xi will attend, and will work closely with the Thursday to Sunday in south China’s Hainan Indonesian side to promote mutual Province. understanding among Asian and African During the talks, the two presidents agreed countries, deepen South-South cooperation and to sign a five-year plan of action for the achieve common development, according to the partnership. Chinese president. This is the 65th year of China-Indonesia For his part, Joko said China was a close diplomatic relations. Xi said Joko’s visit would friend of Indonesia and that they, along with all greatly boost practical cooperation between other major developing countries, should play a the two countries in various areas. bigger role in international affairs. Hailing development of ties, the two Joko called on all countries to take presidents agreed to maintain high-level advantage of the 70th anniversary of the victory exchanges, boost economic cooperation and of World War II to put an end to violence and increase people-to-people and cultural resolve problems through dialogue. exchanges. During the talks, Joko said Indonesia “The two sides hold the view that the 21st we l c o m e d C h i n e s e p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by infrastructure construction. President Xi Jinping, and the Strategy of the The visiting president also hoped Global Maritime Fulcrum initiated by President bilateral trade will reach 150 billion U.S. Joko Widodo are complementary,” said a joint dollars by 2020. statement issued after their talks. The two sides agreed to further promote According to the statement, China and tourism cooperation to reach the annual target Indonesia agreed to strengthen strategy and of over 2 million exchange visits. policy communication, advance maritime Xi and Joko witnessed the signing of a infrastructure connectivity, deepen string of deals on trade, infrastructure cooperation in industrial investment and major construction, aviation, taxation, and search project construction, and enhance practical and rescue at sea. cooperation to develop a “maritime Prior to their talks, Xi held a red carpet partnership” together. ceremony to welcome the Indonesian China will support Indonesia’s efforts to president. 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 d e l e g a t e s f r o m g o v e r n m e n t s a n d businesses worldwide, including a record number of leaders from 15 foreign countries, in addition to more than 1,000 media staff. President Xi Jinping A Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Cross-Straits Business Roundtable with the theme of "Innovate and 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 opening ceremony. development via cooperation. Under the theme of “Asia’s New Future: The BFA will highlight the opportunities the Towards a Community of Common Destiny”, initiatives will offer to multinationals, the co- topics will span issues such as the China- construction of the routes and the proposed “Belt and Road” initiatives to Asia’s establishment of the Asian Infrastructure economic integration. Investment Bank (AIIB), which will be formally 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 45 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 g r o w t h p a t t e r n 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) m e d i u m - h i gh l eve l growth, and will forge The forum voices China’s stance on Asian ahead with reform, opening up and and global issues and expresses significant technological innovation. messages on China’s development, director of COMMUNITY OF COMMON DESTINY the China (Hainan) Institute for Reform and China has adhered to a peaceful Development, Chi Fulin said on Thursday. development path. “We hope to promote the “Bracing for a new world economic consensus and voice of Asia. No matter how structure, new topics will push forward Asian complicated our disputes are, our common integration as a community of common destiny,” interests and future cannot be divided,” said Chi said. Yang Xiyu, vice president of BFA Research Asia will remain one of the world’s most Institute. important regions in 10 to 20 years and should The “Belt and Road” initiatives have secured combine its development with the global trend, the support of nearly 60 countries linked by the Chi said. routes. China’s proposals suggest that it is China created a 40 billion U.S. dollar Silk shouldering more responsibility as a great Road Fund designed to finance the initiatives power, Chi said. last year. Chi expects the BFA will be more open to the “The multilateral non-governmental world and sees a future where western exchange platform will make more people countries will participate in the forum. understand the essence of the Belt and Road “Asia cannot develop without other parts of plan,” said Yang. the world, which closely watch Asia’s progress,” Despite its growth prospects, Asia has Chi said. 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 government leaders have confirmed attendance annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia to the conference including non-Asian countries (BFA) kicked off on Thursday in China’s Boao Armenia, Austria, Netherlands, Russia, Tanzania town, southern Hainan Province. The following and Zambia. are big talking points arranged in alphabetical During the period, China’ s bilateral and order compiled by Xinhua. multilateral diplomatic activities deserve close A|AIIB attention. The China-proposed Asian Infrastructure E|Entrepreneurs Investment Bank (AIIB) braces for a pivot point The forum has attracted more than two on March 31, the application deadline for fifths of the Fortune 500 companies, with prospective founding members. Already, exe c u t ive s a t te n d i n g to t a l k a b o u t western countries including Britain, Germany, entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. A France and Italy expressed willingness to be a series of CEO dialogues will be held between part of it. The bank currently has 27 founding Chinese enterprises and their counterparts members and expects more to join. from , the United States, the European The AIIB aims to facilitate infrastructure Union and Japan respectively. investment in Asia and will be complementary F|Financial policy to established multilateral banks. Topics on finance and policies including “the B|Boao next financial crisis”, shadow banking and new Boao, a semi-fishing and semi-farming forces in multilateral financial organizations town, is the permanent venue for BFA will be highlights. conference and has become an Asian version of , governor of the People’s “Davos”. Meetings and dialogues on Asia’s Bank of China, Joachim Nagel, member of the development are held there every spring. Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank, The BFA, formally inaugurated on February and Carlos Gutierrez, former Secretary of 27, 2001, is the first Asia-led forum to promote Commerce, will discuss monetary policy and and deepen the economic exchange and world economic outlook. cooperation within the region and between G|Global governance Asia and other parts of the world. Global governance will be a hot topic at the C|Community of Common Destiny forum. China’s Finance Minister, Jiwei will The theme of the annual conference in 2015 discuss with heads of the International is “Asia’s New Future: Towards a Community of Monetary Funds, World Bank and the Common Destiny” , voicing a shared desire of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Asian economies embrace common prosperity Development to make G20 better play its role in by putting aside disputes and making joint global economic governance. efforts amid economic hardships. H|Housing market The forum will discuss how to intensify The property sector drove China’s economic cooperation in multiple fields to face challenges growth in the past decade but faces increasing and tap opportunities, prompting Asia to thrive risk as investment chills. With property taxes in in the new future. the pipeline and a national registration system D|Diplomacy soon in place, speculative capital is leaving the The BFA’s 2015 annual conference will be a scene. Where is the sector heading? Officials, grand stage for diplomacy. So far, 15 foreign experts and developers will tell you. News From China April 2015 2015 Boao Forum for Asia 47

I|Innovation N|New normal Innovation and technology will be another Buzz word “new normal” has become a hot topic this time. Bill Gates, Co-chair of Bill & widely-recognized description for China’s Melinda Gates Foundation, Elon Musk, CEO of policy making and economic outlook amid Tesla Motors and Robin Li, CEO of Baidu will slowing global recovery. discuss the significance of innovation for a As the world’s second largest economy, sustainable future. Dialogues on big data, largest exporter and the third largest global wearable devices, e-commerce, artificial investor, China’s move in this new period will intelligence, 3D printing and new energy bring significant changes to the world. The vehicles are also expected. forum will serve as a window to show the new J|Judiciary term to the world. It is the first time that judiciary becomes a O|Outlook part of the forum. China’s Chief Justice Zhou “Outlook” will be a major perspective to Qiang will attend the BRICS’s Chief Justices interpret economic and social development. Dialogue on pollution control. The outlook of multilateral investment K|Knowledge agreements, “the next financial crisis” and The conference this year contains more unconventional monetary policy will be than 70 dialogues on nearly all major topics. highlighted in dialogues. The BFA has published Progress of Asian The BFA Board of Directors will discuss Economic Integration Annual Report, Asian global economic outlook of 2015 and Asia’s Competitiveness Annual Report and prospects under the background of the slowing Development of Emerging Economies Annual recovery. Report. P|Pollution The BFA will release the 2015 Asian Pollution control has become an Economy Forward-looking Indicator on Friday, increasingly urgent matter for rapidly-growing with two other reports on rural finance and Asian economies after modernization Internet finance expected. progressed at the cost of the environment. The L|Leaders forum will try to tackle pollution by the power of Record number of government leaders will judiciary with help of BRICS’s Chief Justices. attend the BFA annual conference this year. But Other topics include smog and health, magnates of other fields will share their underground water, soil pollution and spotlight. Among them are Bill Gates, Ratan rehabilitation and sustainable development. Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons Ltd., Li Q|Question Yang, vice president of China Academy of Social What is the role Asia will play in the global Sciences, Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth recovery? Will it maintain a robust economic Institute at Columbia University, Ming-Chu engine despite external uncertainties? Can Fung, president of Taipei Palace Museum, and China continue to lead emerging economies? Thomas Friedman, author of The World is Flat. These questions will be asked with leaders and M|Miracle thinkers attempting to answer. Asia never lacks miracles. From the East R|Regional cooperation Asian Miracle to China’s stunning growth, the Regional cooperation has remained a focus regions awed the world in recent 30 years. of the forum in recent years. This year it will Whether the miracles can last is closely highlight the “Belt and Road” initiatives, watched by the world. Justin Yifu Lin, witness of collaboration with Association of Southeast the development and renowned economist, will Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Community of a address on the topic at the conference. Common Destiny. The Year of China-ASEAN 48 Reviving the Silk Road News From China April 2015

Maritime Cooperation will also be launched unexpected scales and in ways medical during the period. technology, whether advanced or lagging, could S|Silk Road not influence. A long-expected national plan to Scholars, businessmen and officials will materialize the China-led “Belt and Road” discuss the possibility of setting up a global initiatives will likely be unveiled during the early-warning system to detect new diseases forum. The AIIB and Silk Road Fund will and the unexpected spread of the old ones. facilitate the initiatives which have been W|World economy supported by more than 50 countries and The global economy may have got through regions along the routes. the worst, but downward pressures and risks The planned Silk Road Economic Belt and still loom at large. The BFA will discuss Asia’s the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road was role in driving world economic growth. proposed in 2013 and will improve X|Xi Jinping infrastructure and facilitate connectivity to lay It will be the second appearance for the foundation of a prosperous Asia. President Xi at BFA’s annual conference after he T|Transformation became the country’s top leader. His keynote Transformation is a key word at the speech is expected to have profound influence conference. This year, it will focus on on regional cooperation. transformation of the “new normal” for the Y|Yasuo Fukuda Chinese economy, exporters’ transformation Chairman of the BFA, the former Prime and Hong Kong’s trade and logistics upgrade. Minister of Japan will give welcoming remarks F r o m e n t e r p r i s e s t o e c o n o m i e s , at the opening plenary on March 28 and talk “transformation” has been pivot to adjust to a about East Asian Economic Community at a changing external circumstance. dinner party the same day. U|Urbanization Z|Zones Like China, which is in the middle of Four free trade zones (FTZ) in Shanghai, urbanization, most of Asian countries are Tianjin, Guangdong and Fujian have unveiled groping for their own paths and facing China exploration of a feasible path to push respective challenges. Attendees will discuss reform, open up and seek the right balance urbanization of rural laborers in cities and between government and market. agriculture against the backdrop. The progress is significant to trade and V|Virus cooperation with neighboring regions including From the Black Death to HIV, SARS to Ebola, the ASEAN economies. viruses have influenced human civilization on

REVIVING THE SILK ROAD

“Belt and Road”: Not China's Solo But Inspiring Chorus

Boao, China, March 28 (Xinhua) — The “Belt Saturday. and Road” initiatives will not be a solo for China Xi made the remarks while delivering a but a real chorus comprising all countries along keynote speech at the opening plenary of the the routes, Chinese President Xi Jinping said annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia in News From China April 2015 Reviving the Silk Road 49

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 are welcomed to take an active part in these Province. endeavors. The “Belt and Road” initiatives, aimed at The “Belt and Road” initiatives, namely, the meeting the development needs of China, Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century countries along the routes and the region at Maritime Silk Road, were put forward by Xi large, will serve the common interests of during his visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia in relevant parties and answer the call of the times 2013. for regional and global cooperation, Xi said. The Silk Road Economic Belt is to be Noting that the initiatives will be carried out established along the ancient Silk Road trade following principles of wide consultation, joint route, stretching northwest from China’s coastal contribution and shared benefits, Xi said the area through Central Asia on to Europe, while “Belt and Road” will be built on existing basis to the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will run help countries align their development from China’s south to Southeast Asia and even strategies and form complementarity, with no Africa. intention of replacing existing mechanisms or The vision, once realized, will directly initiatives for regional cooperation. benefit 4.4 billion people, or 63 percent of the Stressing that the “Belt and Road” initiatives global population. and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank So far, more than 60 countries along the (AIIB) are both open initiatives, Xi said all routes and international organizations have countries along the routes in Asia, as well as shown interest in taking part in the two China’s friends and partners around the world, initiatives. 50 Reviving the Silk Road News From China April 2015

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. exceptional significance. On behalf of the This auditorium reminds me of last year’s Chinese government, I wish to extend my session on the silk road, which sparked lively warmest congratulations on the opening of this discussions among so many attendants. This session and the launching of the Year of China- year, the session on the 21st Century Maritime ASEAN Maritime Cooperation and my heartfelt Silk Road has touched off more extensive welcome to all the distinguished guests from discussions by even more participants, which other countries and friends of various sectors. fully testifies to the appeal and influence of The Silk Road has long been known for its China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. I believe the overland and maritime routes since the ancient fact that we are having the discussion in the times. The two routes complemented each other beautiful province of Hainan, a place with flying colors, adding a brilliant chapter to surrounded by the sea, gives our meeting the annals of human civilization. News From China April 2015 Reviving the Silk Road 51

The ancient maritime Silk Road was opened some other countries in the past year and more, and operated by the people of Asia, Europe and the building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Africa. For hundreds of years, a large number of Road has made steady headway and entered a ports thrived along the coastlines on the West new stage of practical cooperation. China held a Pacific, the South China Sea and the Indian successful APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Ocean. Calling on these ports were not only Meeting. Good progress has been made in the ships carrying silk, but also those loaded with development of China-Laos and China-Vietnam porcelain, ironware, spices, precious stones and cross-border economic cooperation zones, the books. Crew and passengers included Chinese, China-Laos railway project, the railway project Europeans, people from Southeast and South in Thailand, and the stage II dredging of Asia, Arabs and Africans, who came to each international waterways of the Lancang- other’s aid readily as travellers in the same boat. Mekong River. China and Kazakhstan have In the early 15th century, the great Chinese jointly launched the logistics terminal at navigator Zheng He who led the world’s biggest Lianyungang. China has worked with Indonesia, fleet at the time on a total of seven expeditions, Cambodia, , Sri Lanka, Pakistan and reaching as far as East Africa, the Red Sea and Greece respectively in deepening cooperation the Persian Gulf. They did not invade, colonize on port construction and operation. China has or swindle, but went for trade along with engaged in active discussions with ASEAN, the spreading amity and cracking down on piracy. Gulf Cooperation Council and Sri Lanka on Zheng He’s fleet received welcome and establishing or upgrading FTA, and signed assistance from the countries along the route agreements with Indonesia and others on and touching stories about Zheng He are still industrial park cooperation. The Qinzhou being told to this day. Industrial Park and the Kuantan Industrial Park In 2013, President Xi Jinping put forward jointly created by China and Malaysia are good the major “Belt and Road” initiative. Countries examples for such cooperation. China has also and people along the route have applauded it. carried out a variety of ocean-related We all agree to make the building of a cooperation with Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, community of common destiny for win-win India and Sri Lanka while steadily pushing cooperation the goal of our endeavor. And we all multiple projects supported by the China- agree to move forward the building of overland ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund and the and maritime silk roads in tandem. China-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation Fund. Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Road is the continuation and development of foresees an extensive and open-ended coverage. the ancient maritime Silk Road. What we want Linking European and Asia-Pacific economic to continue pushing forward is the Silk Road rims across four oceans, the Road focuses on the spirit featuring peace, friendship, openness, Southeast Asian countries, connects South Asia, inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual West Asia and some African and European benefit. What we want is to properly design countries and naturally extends to the South cooperation pivots and economic corridors on Pacific. All countries around the world, the sea for all-round maritime cooperation in international organizations, multinational this age of economic globalization and corporations, NGOs and all ocean-loving people multipolarity. While upholding its own from various sectors can join and play a maritime rights and interests, China stands constructive part in its development. ready to work together with other countries to The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will build maritime partnerships of win-win present a rich and colorful program of cooperation. cooperation. In addition to maritime transport Thanks to the joint efforts of China and and resource development, it will involve 52 Reviving the Silk Road News From China April 2015

research, environmental protection, tourism, equally treated while business is conducted disaster reduction and prevention, law through consultation. enforcement cooperation and people-to-people The second word is connectivity. Countries exchanges on the sea. Not only will it look at the along the Belt and Road differ in national development of the blue economy and building conditions and vary greatly in level of maritime of oceanic economic demonstration zones development and protection. It is neither offshore, it will also build onshore industrial realistic nor advisable to measure them against parks, marine science and technology parks the same set of ideas, plans and model of and training bases for ocean-related personnel. cooperation. One of the original features of the Not only will we go utilizing the oceanic 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is its much resources, we will also protect well our oceanic stressed connectivity. It is not about one party environment. Not only should we deliver a good accepting the plan made by another or one party life to our people along the coast, we should also following the rules set by another. It is instead bring about an interconnected development of an exercise of looking for common ground and the hinterland and coastal regions to achieve areas of cooperation on the basis of mutual common prosperity. respect, leading to the formulation of a joint As for how to advance the development of plan. the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, China is Connectivity is needed in many areas. Take ready to listen to suggestions and proposals connectivity of development strategies for from other countries, ASEAN countries example. President Joko Widodo of Indonesia included. As I see it, a good job in this regard has talked about building a maritime power requires that we bear in our mind three key with a maritime highway. This is very much in words. line with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road The first word is mutual trust. Asia on the initiative. Maritime cooperation, therefore, is whole enjoys stability with relations between becoming a new engine for the bilateral countries growing steadily. Of course, there is cooperation between China and Indonesia. The the need for some neighbors to further enhance 21st Century Maritime Silk Road can also be trust and dispel misgivings. Asian countries aligned with the blueprints for the ASEAN enjoy bright propects for win-win cooperation. Community. Let us take forward our maritime cooperation Next, with respect to project and enterprise with confidence and sicerity. And through matching. Quite a few Asian and European building the Maritime Silk Road, we can deepen countries are stepping up port and our mutual trust and work together to maintain infrastructure development, expanding peace and development in the region. shipping, fishing and fish processing industries Let me reiterate here that as the 21st and planning industrial parks, special zones, Century Maritime Silk Road focuses mainly on bonded areas and free trade zones near their economic and people-to-people cooperation,it ports. There are many such projects in the will not, in principle, involve issues of pipeline and with good market prospects. controversy. The “Belt and Road” initiative is Chinese companies have both experience and consistent with the principles of China’s capability in these fields. We suggest that our neighborhood diplomacy, namely, affinity, governments facilitate business partnerships sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. The by helping our enterprises to match up their 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is by no means projects so that they can complement each a tool for any country to seek geopolitical other while sharing risks and gains. advantages. Rather, it is a public good for all There is also a need for institutional countries. It will tolerate no monopoly or connectivity. The region already abounds with coercion of whatever form. Rather, everyone is bilateral and multilateral mechanisms and News From China April 2015 Reviving the Silk Road 53 platforms on maritime cooperation. In addition center, set up a China-ASEAN maritime to Boao Forum for Asia, we have ASEAN Plus emergency helpline, and launch the China- China, APEC, ESCAP and so on. It is necessary to ASEAN Ocean College. Today, we are gathered enhance communication and coordination here to launch the Year of Maritime Cooperation among these mechanisms so as to improve and kick off the year’s events. We hope that integration of resources and collaboration on maritime cooperation will become yet another the basis of proper division of labor. new highlight and a new engine for the growing The third word is early harvest. Only when China-ASEAN relations and the all-dimensional countries along the route reap the benefit from maritime cooperation between China and the development of the Maritime Silk Road at an ASEAN will become a model for the e a r ly d a te w i l l t h ey b e c o m e m o re development of the 21st Century Maritime Silk enthusiastically involved. China hopes to work Road. with countries along the route in identifying This morning, President Xi pointed out in his some demonstration projects, getting them speech at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual started once conditions are ripe so that results conference 2015 that the “Belt and Road” can be gained at an early date. China is ready to initiative follows the principles of wide work with ASEAN countries to conclude consultations, joint contribution and shared without delay an inter-governmental benefits. It will be a real chorus comprising all cooperation document on jointly building the countries along the routes and represents real Maritime Silk Road, and start to draw up work that can be seen and felt. It is bringing and cooperation plans and identify key cooperation will continue to bring tangible benefits to projects. countries in the region. We look forward to This year is the Year of China-ASEAN seeing more friends join in the building of the Maritime Cooperation. China and ASEAN 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in various countries will carry out practical cooperation ways. I sincerely hope and truly believe that all on marine economy, maritime connectivity, of us will seize this opportunity and work in marine science research and environmental concert towards the promising prospects of the protection, safety and security, and cultural and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. people-to-people exchanges on the sea. We will Thank you. open a China-ASEAN maritime cooperation

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 opened up several routes of trade and cultural More than two millennia ago the diligent exchanges that linked the major civilizations of and courageous people of Eurasia explored and Asia, Europe and Africa, collectively called the 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 and October of 2013, he raised the initiative of years, the Silk Road Spirit – “peace and jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road mutual learning and mutual benefit” – has been (hereinafter referred to as the Belt and Road), passed from generation to generation, which have attracted close attention from all promoted the progress of human civilization, over the world. At the China-ASEAN Expo in and contributed greatly to the prosperity and 2013, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasized development of the countries along the Silk the need to build the Maritime Silk Road Road. Symbolizing communication and oriented towards ASEAN, and to create strategic cooperation between the East and the West, the propellers for hinterland development. Silk Road Spirit is a historic and cultural Accelerating the building of the Belt and Road heritage shared by all countries around the can help promote the economic prosperity of world. the countries along the Belt and Road and In the 21st century, a new era marked by the regional economic cooperation, strengthen theme of peace, development, cooperation and exchanges and mutual learning between mutual benefit, it is all the more important for different civilizations, and promote world peace us to carry on the Silk Road Spirit in face of the and development. It is a great undertaking that weak recovery of the global economy, and will benefit people around the world. complex international and regional situations. The Belt and Road Initiative is a systematic When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited project, which should be jointly built through Central Asia and Southeast Asia in September consultation to meet the interests of all, and News From China April 2015 Reviving the Silk Road 55 efforts should be made to integrate the Road, embracing the trend towards a multipolar development strategies of the countries along world, economic globalization, cultural the Belt and Road. The Chinese government has diversity and greater IT application, is designed drafted and published the Vision and Actions on to uphold the global free trade regime and the Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and open world economy in the spirit of open 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road to promote regional cooperation. It is aimed at promoting the implementation of the Initiative, instill orderly and free flow of economic factors, highly vigor and vitality into the ancient Silk Road, efficient allocation of resources and deep connect Asian, European and African countries integration of markets; encouraging the more closely and promote mutually beneficial countries along the Belt and Road to achieve cooperation to a new high and in new forms. economic policy coordination and carry out I. Background broader and more in-depth regional Complex and profound changes are taking cooperation of higher standards; and jointly place in the world. The underlying impact of the creating an open, inclusive and balanced international financial crisis keeps emerging; regional economic cooperation architecture the world economy is recovering slowly, and that benefits all. Jointly building the Belt and global development is uneven; the Road is in the interests of the world community. international trade and investment landscape Reflecting the common ideals and pursuit of and rules for multilateral trade and investment human societies, it is a positive endeavor to seek are undergoing major adjustments; and new models of international cooperation and countries still face big challenges to their global governance, and will inject new positive development. energy into world peace and development. The initiative to jointly build the Belt and The Belt and Road Initiative aims to promote

Chinese Vice Premier (R) and Greek Deputy Prime Minister Yiannis Dragasakis attend the opening ceremony of 2015 China- Greece Maritime Cooperation Year in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2015. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) 56 Reviving the Silk Road News From China April 2015

the connectivity of Asian, European and African pattern of all-round opening-up, and integrate continents and their adjacent seas, establish itself deeper into the world economic system. and strengthen partnerships among the The Initiative will enable China to further countries along the Belt and Road, set up all- expand and deepen its opening-up, and to dimensional, multi-tiered and composite strengthen its mutually beneficial cooperation connectivity networks, and realize diversified, with countries in Asia, Europe and Africa and independent, balanced and sustainable the rest of the world. China is committed to development in these countries. The shouldering more responsibilities and connectivity projects of the Initiative will help 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 greater contributions to the peace and strategies of the countries along the Belt and development of mankind. Road, tap market potential in this region, II. Principles promote investment and consumption, create The Belt and Road Initiative is in line with demands and job opportunities, enhance the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and upholds the Five Principles of Peaceful mutual learning among the peoples of the Coexistence: mutual respect for each other’s relevant countries, and enable them to sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual understand, trust and respect each other and non-aggression, mutual non-interference in live in harmony, peace and prosperity. each other’s internal affairs, equality and China’s economy is closely connected with mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. the world economy. China will stay committed The Initiative is open for cooperation. It to the basic policy of opening-up, build a new covers, but is not limited to, the area of the News From China April 2015 Reviving the Silk Road 57

A seminar on Silk Road Initiatives opened in Hong Kong on April 9, 2015. ancient Silk Road. It is open to all countries, and interests and the “biggest common international and regional organizations for denominator” for cooperation so as to give full engagement, so that the results of the concerted play to the wisdom and creativity, strengths and efforts will benefit wider areas. potentials of all parties. The Initiative is harmonious and inclusive. III. Framework It advocates tolerance among civilizations, respects the paths and modes of development The Belt and Road Initiative is a way for win- chosen by different countries, and supports win cooperation that promotes common dialogues among different civilizations on the development and prosperity and a road towards principles of seeking common ground while peace and friendship by enhancing mutual shelving differences and drawing on each understanding and trust, and strengthening all- other’s strengths, so that all countries can round exchanges. The Chinese government coexist in peace for common prosperity. advocates peace and cooperation, openness and The Initiative follows market operation. It inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual will abide by market rules and international benefit. It promotes practical cooperation in all norms, give play to the decisive role of the fields, and works to build a community of shared market in resource allocation and the primary interests, destiny and responsibility featuring role of enterprises, and let the governments mutual political trust, economic integration and perform their due functions. cultural inclusiveness. The Initiative seeks mutual benefit. It The Belt and Road run through the accommodates the interests and concerns of all continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, parties involved, and seeks a conjunction of connecting the vibrant East Asia economic 58 Reviving the Silk Road News From China April 2015

circle at one end and developed European and using key economic industrial parks as economic circle at the other, and encompassing cooperation platforms. At sea, the Initiative will countries with huge potential for economic focus on jointly building smooth, secure and development. The Silk Road Economic Belt efficient transport routes connecting major sea focuses on bringing together China, Central ports along the Belt and Road. The China- Asia, Russia and Europe (the Baltic); linking Pakistan Economic Corridor and the China with the Persian Gulf and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Mediterranean Sea through Central Asia and Corridor are closely related to the Belt and Road West Asia; and connecting China with Southeast Initiative, and therefore require closer Asia, South Asia and the Indian Ocean. The 21st- cooperation and greater progress. Century Maritime Silk Road is designed to go The Initiative is an ambitious economic from China’s coast to Europe through the South vision of the opening-up of and cooperation China Sea and the Indian Ocean in one route, among the countries along the Belt and Road. and from China’s coast through the South China Countries should work in concert and move Sea to the South Pacific in the other. towards the objectives of mutual benefit and On land, the Initiative will focus on jointly common security. To be specific, they need to building a new Eurasian Land Bridge and improve the region’s infrastructure, and put in developing China-Mongolia-Russia, China- place a secure and efficient network of land, sea Central Asia-West Asia and China-Indochina and air passages, lifting their connectivity to a Peninsula economic corridors by taking higher level; further enhance trade and advantage of international transport routes, investment facilitation, establish a network of relying on core cities along the Belt and Road 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 59

Workers prepare for 2015 CeBIT Technology Trade Fair in Hanover, Germany, on March 14, 2015. (Xinhua/Luo Huanhuan) maintain closer economic ties, and deepen governmental cooperation, build a multi-level political trust; enhance cultural exchanges; intergovernmental macro policy exchange and encourage different civilizations to learn from communication mechanism, expand shared each other and flourish together; and promote interests, enhance mutual political trust, and mutual understanding, peace and friendship reach new cooperation consensus. Countries among people of all countries. along the Belt and Road may fully coordinate their economic development strategies and IV. Cooperation Priorities policies, work out plans and measures for Countries along the Belt and Road have regional cooperation, negotiate to solve their own resource advantages and their cooperation-related issues, and jointly provide economies are mutually complementary. policy support for the implementation of Therefore, there is a great potential and space practical cooperation and large-scale projects. for cooperation. They should promote policy Facilities connectivity coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and Facilities connectivity is a priority area for people-to-people bonds as their five major implementing the Initiative. On the basis of goals, and strengthen cooperation in the respecting each other’s sovereignty and following key areas: security concerns, countries along the Belt and Road should improve the connectivity of their Policy coordination infrastructure construction plans and technical Enhancing policy coordination is an standard systems, jointly push forward the important guarantee for implementing the construction of international trunk Initiative. We should promote inter- passageways, and form an infrastructure 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 push forward port infrastructure construction, between Asia, Europe and Africa step by step. At build smooth land-water transportation the same time, efforts should be made to channels, and advance port cooperation; promote green and low-carbon infrastructure increase sea routes and the number of voyages, construction and operation management, and enhance information technology taking into full account the impact of climate cooperation in maritime logistics. We should change on the construction. expand and build platforms and mechanisms With regard to transport infrastructure for comprehensive civil aviation cooperation, construction, we should focus on the key and quicken our pace in improving aviation passageways, junctions and projects, and give infrastructure. priority to linking up unconnected road We should promote cooperation in the sections, removing transport bottlenecks, connectivity of energy infrastructure, work in advancing road safety facilities and traffic concert to ensure the security of oil and gas management facilities and equipment, and pipelines and other transport routes, build improving road network connectivity. We cross-border power supply networks and should build a unified coordination mechanism power-transmission routes, and cooperate in for whole-course transportation, increase regional power grid upgrading and connectivity of customs clearance, reloading transformation. and multimodal transport between countries, We should jointly advance the construction and gradually formulate compatible and of cross-border optical cables and other standard transport rules, so as to realize communications trunk line networks, improve international transport facilitation. We should international communications connectivity, News From China April 2015 Reviving the Silk Road 61 and create an Information Silk Road. We should trade, and promote trade balance. We should build bilateral cross-border optical cable make innovations in our forms of trade, and n e t w o r k s a t a q u i c k e r p a c e , p l a n develop cross-border e-commerce and other transcontinental submarine optical cable modern business models. A service trade projects, and improve spatial (satellite) support system should be set up to consolidate information passageways to expand and expand conventional trade, and efforts to information exchanges and cooperation. develop modern service trade should be strengthened. We should integrate investment Unimpeded trade and trade, and promote trade through Investment and trade cooperation is a investment. major task in building the Belt and Road. We We should speed up investment facilitation, should strive to improve investment and trade eliminate investment barriers, and push facilitation, and remove investment and trade forward negotiations on bilateral investment barriers for the creation of a sound business protection agreements and double taxation environment within the region and in all related avoidance agreements to protect the lawful countries. We will discuss with countries and rights and interests of investors. regions along the Belt and Road on opening free We should expand mutual investment areas, trade areas so as to unleash the potential for deepen cooperation in agriculture, forestry, expanded cooperation. animal husbandry and fisheries, agricultural Countries along the Belt and Road should machinery manufacturing and farm produce enhance customs cooperation such as processing, and promote cooperation in information exchange, mutual recognition of marine-product farming, deep-sea fishing, regulations, and mutual assistance in law aquatic product processing, seawater enforcement; improve bilateral and desalination, marine biopharmacy, ocean multilateral cooperation in the fields of engineering technology, environmental inspection and quarantine, certification and protection industries, marine tourism and other accreditation, standard measurement, and fields. We should increase cooperation in the statistical information; and work to ensure that exploration and development of coal, oil, gas, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement takes metal minerals and other conventional energy effect and is implemented. We should improve sources; advance cooperation in hydropower, the customs clearance facilities of border ports, nuclear power, wind power, solar power and establish a “single-window” in border ports, other clean, renewable energy sources; and reduce customs clearance costs, and improve promote cooperation in the processing and customs clearance capability. We should conversion of energy and resources at or near increase cooperation in supply chain safety and places where they are exploited, so as to create convenience, improve the coordination of an integrated industrial chain of energy and cross-border supervision procedures, promote resource cooperation. We should enhance online checking of inspection and quarantine cooperation in deep-processing technology, certificates, and facilitate mutual recognition of equipment and engineering services in the Authorized Economic Operators. We should fields of energy and resources. lower non-tariff barriers, jointly improve the We should push forward cooperation in transparency of technical trade measures, and emerging industries. In accordance with the enhance trade liberalization and facilitation. principles of mutual complementarity and We should expand trading areas, improve mutual benefit, we should promote in-depth trade structure, explore new growth areas of cooperation with other countries along the Belt 62 Reviving the Silk Road News From China April 2015

and Road in new-generation information protecting biodiversity, and tackling climate technology, biotechnology, new energy change, and join hands to make the Silk Road an technology, new materials and other emerging environment-friendly one. industries, and establish entrepreneurial and We welcome companies from all countries investment cooperation mechanisms. to invest in China, and encourage Chinese We should improve the division of labor and enterprises to participate in infrastructure distribution of industrial chains by encouraging construction in other countries along the Belt the entire industrial chain and related and Road, and make industrial investments industries to develop in concert; establish R&D, there. We support localized operation and production and marketing systems; and management of Chinese companies to boost the improve industrial supporting capacity and the local economy, increase local employment, overall competitiveness of regional industries. improve local livelihood, and take social We should increase the openness of our service responsibilities in protecting local biodiversity industry to each other to accelerate the and eco-environment. development of regional service industries. We Financial integration should explore a new mode of investment cooperation, working together to build all Financial integration is an important forms of industrial parks such as overseas underpinning for implementing the Belt and economic and trade cooperation zones and Road Initiative. We should deepen financial cross-border economic cooperation zones, and cooperation, and make more efforts in building promote industrial cluster development. We a currency stability system, investment and should promote ecological progress in financing system and credit information system conducting investment and trade, increase in Asia. We should expand the scope and scale of cooperation in conserving eco-environment, 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 Reviving the Silk Road 63 other countries along the Belt and Road, open support for implementing the Initiative. We and develop the bond market in Asia, make joint should carry forward the spirit of friendly efforts to establish the Asian Infrastructure cooperation of the Silk Road by promoting Investment Bank and BRICS New Development extensive cultural and academic exchanges, Bank, conduct negotiation among related personnel exchanges and cooperation, media parties on establishing Shanghai Cooperation cooperation, youth and women exchanges and Organization (SCO) financing institution, and volunteer services, so as to win public support set up and put into operation the Silk Road Fund for deepening bilateral and multilateral as early as possible. We should strengthen cooperation. practical cooperation of China-ASEAN We should send more students to each Interbank Association and SCO Interbank other’s countries, and promote cooperation in Association, and carry out multilateral financial jointly running schools. China provides 10,000 cooperation in the form of syndicated loans and government scholarships to the countries along bank credit. We will support the efforts of the Belt and Road every year. We should hold governments of the countries along the Belt and culture years, arts festivals, film festivals, TV Road and their companies and financial weeks and book fairs in each other’s countries; institutions with good credit-rating to issue cooperate on the production and translation of Renminbi bonds in China. Qualified Chinese fine films, radio and TV programs; and jointly financial institutions and companies are apply for and protect World Cultural Heritage encouraged to issue bonds in both Renminbi sites. We should also increase personnel and foreign currencies outside China, and use exchange and cooperation between countries the funds thus collected in countries along the along the Belt and Road. Belt and Road. We should enhance cooperation in and We should strengthen financial regulation expand the scale of tourism; hold tourism cooperation, encourage the signing of MOUs on promotion weeks and publicity months in each cooperation in bilateral financial regulation, other’s countries; jointly create competitive and establish an efficient regulation international tourist routes and products with coordination mechanism in the region. We Silk Road features; and make it more convenient should improve the system of risk response and to apply for tourist visa in countries along the crisis management, build a regional financial Belt and Road. We should push forward risk early-warning system, and create an cooperation on the 21st-Century Maritime Silk exchange and cooperation mechanism of Road cruise tourism program. We should carry addressing cross-border risks and crisis. We out sports exchanges and support countries should increase cross-border exchange and along the Belt and Road in their bid for hosting cooperation between credit investigation major international sports events. regulators, credit investigation institutions and We should strengthen cooperation with credit rating institutions. We should give full neighboring countries on epidemic information play to the role of the Silk Road Fund and that of sharing, the exchange of prevention and sovereign wealth funds of countries along the treatment technologies and the training of Belt and Road, and encourage commercial medical professionals, and improve our equity investment funds and private funds to capability to jointly address public health participate in the construction of key projects of emergencies. We will provide medical the Initiative. assistance and emergency medical aid to People-to-people bond relevant countries, and carry out practical cooperation in maternal and child health, People-to-people bond provides the public 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 parties and political organizations of countries diseases including AIDS, tuberculosis and along the Belt and Road. We should carry out malaria. We will also expand cooperation on exchanges and cooperation among cities, traditional medicine. encourage major cities in these countries to We should increase our cooperation in become sister cities, focus on promoting science and technology, establish joint labs (or practical cooperation, particularly cultural and research centers), international technology people-to-people exchanges, and create more transfer centers and maritime cooperation lively examples of cooperation. We welcome the centers, promote sci-tech personnel exchanges, think tanks in the countries along the Belt and cooperate in tackling key sci-tech problems, Road to jointly conduct research and hold and work together to improve sci-tech forums. innovation capability. We should increase exchanges and We should integrate existing resources to cooperation between non-governmental expand and advance practical cooperation organizations of countries along the Belt and between countries along the Belt and Road on Road, organize public interest activities youth employment, entrepreneurship training, concerning education, health care, poverty vocational skill development, social security reduction, biodiversity and ecological management, public administration and protection for the benefit of the general public, management and in other areas of common and improve the production and living interest. conditions of poverty-stricken areas along the We should give full play to the bridging role Belt and Road. We should enhance international of communication between political parties and exchanges and cooperation on culture and parliaments, and promote friendly exchanges media, and leverage the positive role of the between legislative bodies, major political Internet and new media tools to foster News From China April 2015 Reviving the Silk Road 65 harmonious and friendly cultural environment We should continue to encourage the and public opinion. constructive role of the international forums V. Cooperation Mechanisms and exhibitions at regional and sub-regional levels hosted by countries along the Belt and The world economic integration is Road, as well as such platforms as Boao Forum accelerating and regional cooperation is on the for Asia, China-ASEAN Expo, China-Eurasia upswing. China will take full advantage of the Expo, Euro-Asia Economic Forum, China existing bilateral and multilateral cooperation International Fair for Investment and Trade, mechanisms to push forward the building of the China-South Asia Expo, China-Arab States Expo, Belt and Road and to promote the development Western China International Fair, China-Russia of regional cooperation. Expo, and Qianhai Cooperation Forum. We We should strengthen bilateral cooperation, should support the local authorities and general and promote comprehensive development of public of countries along the Belt and Road to bilateral relations through multi-level and explore the historical and cultural heritage of m u l t i - c h a n n e l c o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d the Belt and Road, jointly hold investment, trade consultation. We should encourage the signing and cultural exchange activities, and ensure the of cooperation MOUs or plans, and develop a success of the Silk Road (Dunhuang) number of bilateral cooperation pilot projects. International Culture Expo, Silk Road We should establish and improve bilateral joint International Film Festival and Silk Road working mechanisms, and draw up International Book Fair. We propose to set up an implementation plans and roadmaps for international summit forum on the Belt and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative. In Road Initiative. addition, we should give full play to the existing bilateral mechanisms such as joint committee, VI. China’s Regions in Pursuing Opening-Up mixed committee, coordinating committee, In advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, steering committee and management China will fully leverage the comparative committee to coordinate and promote the advantages of its various regions, adopt a implementation of cooperation projects. proactive strategy of further opening-up, We should enhance the role of multilateral strengthen interaction and cooperation among cooperation mechanisms, make full use of the eastern, western and central regions, and existing mechanisms such as the Shanghai comprehensively improve the openness of the Cooperation Organization (SCO), ASEAN Plus Chinese economy. China (10+1), Asia-Pacific Economic Northwestern and northeastern regions. We Cooperation (APEC), Asia-Europe Meeting should make good use of Xinjiang’s geographic (ASEM), Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), advantages and its role as a window of Conference on Interaction and Confidence- w e s t w a r d o p e n i n g - u p t o d e e p e n Building Measures in Asia (CICA), China-Arab communication and cooperation with Central, States Cooperation Forum (CASCF), China-Gulf South and West Asian countries, make it a key Cooperation Council Strategic Dialogue, transportation, trade, logistics, culture, science Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Economic and education center, and a core area on the Silk Cooperation, and Central Asia Regional Road Economic Belt. We should give full scope to Economic Cooperation (CAREC) to strengthen the economic and cultural strengths of Shaanxi communication with relevant countries, and and Gansu provinces and the ethnic and cultural attract more countries and regions to advantages of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. Region and Qinghai Province, build Xi’an into a 66 Reviving the Silk Road News From China April 2015

new focus of reform and opening-up in China’s Autonomous Region as a neighbor of ASEAN interior, speed up the development and countries, speed up the opening-up and opening-up of cities such as Lanzhou and development of the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone Xining, and advance the building of the Ningxia and the Pearl River-Xijiang Economic Zone, Inland Opening-up Pilot Economic Zone with build an international corridor opening to the the goal of creating strategic channels, trade ASEAN region, create new strategic anchors for and logistics hubs and key bases for industrial the opening-up and development of the and cultural exchanges opening to Central, southwest and mid-south regions of China, and South and West Asian countries. We should give form an important gateway connecting the Silk full play to Inner Mongolia’s proximity to Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Mongolia and Russia, improve the railway links Maritime Silk Road. We should make good use of connecting Heilongjiang Province with Russia the geographic advantage of Yunnan Province, and the regional railway network, strengthen advance the construction of an international cooperation between China’s Heilongjiang, Jilin transport corridor connecting China with and Liaoning provinces and Russia’s Far East neighboring countries, develop a new highlight region on sea-land multi-modal transport, and of economic cooperation in the Greater Mekong advance the construction of an Eurasian high- Sub-region, and make the region a pivot of speed transport corridor linking Beijing and China’s opening-up to South and Southeast Asia. Moscow with the goal of building key windows We should promote the border trade and opening to the north. tourism and culture cooperation between Tibet Southwestern region. We should give full Autonomous Region and neighboring countries play to the unique advantage of Guangxi Zhuang 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 Reviving the Silk Road 67

Coastal regions, and Hong Kong, Macao and Inland regions. We should make use of the Taiwan. We should leverage the strengths of the advantages of inland regions, including a vast Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, west landmass, rich human resources and a strong coast of the Taiwan Straits, Bohai Rim, and other industrial foundation, focus on such key regions areas with economic zones boasting a high level as the city clusters along the middle reaches of of openness, robust economic strengths and the Yangtze River, around Chengdu and strong catalytic role, speed up the development Chongqing, in central Henan Province, around of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Hohhot, Baotou, Erdos and Yulin, and around and support Fujian Province in becoming a core Harbin and Changchun to propel regional area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We interaction and cooperation and industrial should give full scope to the role of Qianhai concentration. We should build Chongqing into (Shenzhen), Nansha (Guangzhou), Hengqin an important pivot for developing and opening (Zhuhai) and Pingtan (Fujian) in opening-up up the western region, and make Chengdu, and cooperation, deepen their cooperation with Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Nanchang and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and help to Hefei leading areas of opening-up in the inland build the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Big regions. We should accelerate cooperation Bay Area. We should promote the development between regions on the upper and middle of the Marine Economy Development reaches of the Yangtze River and their Demonstration Zone, Fujian Marine Economic counterparts along Russia’s Volga River. We Pilot Zone and Zhoushan Archipelago New should set up coordination mechanisms in Area, and further open Hainan Province as an terms of railway transport and port customs international tourism island. We should clearance for the China-Europe corridor, strengthen the port construction of coastal cultivate the brand of “China-Europe freight cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, Ningbo- trains,” and construct a cross-border transport Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhanjiang, corridor connecting the eastern, central and Shantou, Qingdao, Yantai, Dalian, Fuzhou, western regions. We should support inland Xiamen, Quanzhou, Haikou and Sanya, and cities such as Zhengzhou and Xi’an in building strengthen the functions of international hub airports and international land ports, airports such as Shanghai and Guangzhou. We strengthen customs clearance cooperation should use opening-up to motivate these areas between inland ports and ports in the coastal to carry out deeper reform, create new systems and border regions, and launch pilot e- and mechanisms of open economy, step up commerce services for cross-border trade. We scientific and technological innovation, develop should optimize the layout of special customs new advantages for participating in and leading oversight areas, develop new models of international cooperation and competition, and processing trade, and deepen industrial become the pace-setter and main force in the cooperation with countries along the Belt and Belt and Road Initiative, particularly the Road. building of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk VII. China in Action Road. We should leverage the unique role of overseas Chinese and the Hong Kong and Macao For more than a year, the Chinese Special Administrative Regions, and encourage government has been actively promoting the them to participate in and contribute to the Belt building of the Belt and Road, enhancing and Road Initiative. We should also make communication and consultation and proper arrangements for the Taiwan region to advancing practical cooperation with countries be part of this effort. along the Belt and Road, and introduced a series 68 Reviving the Silk Road News From China April 2015

of policies and measures for early outcomes. to conduct cross-border payment business. We High-level guidance and facilitation. will actively promote investment and trade President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang facilitation, and accelerate the reform of have visited over 20 countries, attended the integrated regional customs clearance. Dialogue on Strengthening Connectivity Boosting the role of cooperation platforms. Partnership and the sixth ministerial A number of international summits, forums, conference of the China-Arab States seminars and expos on the theme of the Belt and Cooperation Forum, and met with leaders of Road Initiative have been held, which have relevant countries to discuss bilateral relations played an important role in increasing mutual and regional development issues. They have understanding, reaching consensus and used these opportunities to explain the rich deepening cooperation. contents and positive implications of the Belt VIII. Embracing a Brighter Future Together and Road Initiative, and their efforts have helped bring about a broad consensus on the Though proposed by China, the Belt and Road Belt and Road Initiative. Initiative is a common aspiration of all countries Signing cooperation framework. China has along their routes. China is ready to conduct signed MOUs of cooperation on the joint equal-footed consultation with all countries along development of the Belt and Road with some the Belt and Road to seize the opportunity countries, and on regional cooperation and provided by the Initiative, promote opening-up, border cooperation and mid- and long-term communication and integration among countries development plans for economic and trade in a larger scope, with higher standards and at cooperation with some neighboring countries. deeper levels, while giving consideration to the It has proposed outlines of regional cooperation interests and aspirations of all parties. The plans with some adjacent countries. development of the Belt and Road is open and Promoting project cooperation. China has inclusive, and we welcome the active enhanced communication and consultation participation of all countries and international with countries along the Belt and Road, and and regional organizations in this Initiative. promoted a number of key cooperation projects The development of the Belt and Road in the fields of infrastructure connectivity, should mainly be conducted through policy industrial investment, resource development, communication and objectives coordination. It economic and trade cooperation, financial is a pluralistic and open process of cooperation cooperation, cultural exchanges, ecological which can be highly flexible, and does not seek protection and maritime cooperation where the conformity. China will join other countries along conditions are right. the Belt and Road to substantiate and improve Improving policies and measures. The the content and mode of the Belt and Road Chinese government will integrate its domestic cooperation, work out relevant timetables and resources to provide stronger policy support roadmaps, and align national development for the Initiative. It will facilitate the programs and regional cooperation plans. establishment of the Asian Infrastructure China will work with countries along the Investment Bank. China has proposed the Silk Belt and Road to carry out joint research, forums Road Fund, and the investment function of the and fairs, personnel training, exchanges and China-Eurasia Economic Cooperation Fund will visits under the framework of existing bilateral, be reinforced. We will encourage bank card multilateral, regional and sub-regional clearing institutions to conduct cross-border cooperation mechanisms, so that they will gain a clearing operations, and payment institutions better understanding and recognition of the News From China April 2015 Economic Affairs 69 contents, objectives and tasks of the Belt and The Belt and Road cooperation features Road Initiative. mutual respect and trust, mutual benefit and China will work with countries along the win-win cooperation, and mutual learning Belt and Road to steadily advance between civilizations. As long as all countries demonstration projects, jointly identify along the Belt and Road make concerted efforts programs that accommodate bilateral and to pursue our common goal, there will be bright multilateral interests, and accelerate the prospects for the Silk Road Economic Belt and launching of programs that are agreed upon by the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, and the parties and ready for implementation, so as to people of countries along the Belt and Road can ensure early harvest. 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 26th 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 11th 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 26th 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 × 6 0 0 M W s i m u l - taneously. 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 hand- over of units as well as all the site activities like c iv i l c o n s t r u c t i o n , Interaction with students of the local school. 70 Economic Affairs News From China April 2015

W h i l e m a k i n g 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 with local society. KMPCL employs a large quantity of Indian staff to s h o u l d e r t h e r e s - ponsibility 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 , 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 17th 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 News From China April 2015 Economic Affairs 71

B e a u t i f u l C h i n a . T h r o u g h t h e s e 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 invitation. This cultural exchange & 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 News about the Chinese company published in the local project has been always making endeavors to newspaper. promote social welfare, people’s well-being and beautiful homeland together with Indian employment. More importantly, this project people. will make continued efforts to build the

China Eyes Innovation in Face of Economic "New Normal”

Beijing, March 23 (Xinhua) — A document, services. co-published by the Communist Party of China The growth target for 2015 was set at (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, “approximately 7 percent,” down from 7.5 China’s cabinet, on Monday underscored the percent in 2014, when the economy grew 7.4 role of innovation-driven development amid percent, the lowest pace since 1990. the economic “new normal” of slower growth. Monday’s document said that all A government work report, delivered by psychological and institutional obstacles must Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on March 5, be broken to accelerate innovation-driven highlighted the “twin engines” that would drive development to ensure mass innovation is d e v e l o p m e n t , n a m e l y p o p u l a r brought into full play. entrepreneurship and mass innovation paired An institutional and legal framework, with increased supplies of public goods and conducive to innovation-driven development, 72 Economic Affairs News From China April 2015

should be established by 2 0 2 0 , t h e d o c u m e n t continued. Such a framework would allow free movement o f t a l e n t , c a p i t a l , technology and knowledge, t h u s , e n c o u r a g i n g 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 t o f u r t h e r o p e n u p industries to market competition. China's Tianhe-2 has become the world's fastest supercomputer. A n t i - m o n o p o l y 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 high- c a l i b e r fo re i g n e r s w i t h permanent residence permits News From China April 2015 Culture & Life 73 could enjoy the same treatment as Chinese Trumpeting “a culture that encourages nationals when founding S&T enterprises. innovation and tolerates failure,” the document Meanwhile, human resources service urged universities to involve enterprises in providers in China were encouraged to partner jointly enrolling students and honing their skills with foreign counterparts and even establish while widening international cooperation and branches overseas. learning from leading overseas counterparts. “Research institutes are encouraged to “Regulations will be drafted on the opening- arrange programs independently, and the up of state-level science and technology projects academic autonomy of higher education and to encourage foreign research institutes to take research institutes as well as the rights to part in national science and technology choose research directions individually will be projects,” it said. expanded,” it said. While urging Chinese institutes to actively The document noted that both basic and participate in major international S&T projects, advanced technological research will be the document vowed that projects concerning subjected to peer evaluations, and key factors basic and global topics would be initiated to will include “research quality, originality and pool the wisdom of leading scientists across the practical values.” world.

CULTURE & LIFE

A Literary Comeback by Ji Jing

A cursory glance at D a n g d a n g . c o m ’ 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 t i t l e s o n t h e l i s t compiled by China’s premium bookselling website, only two were originally written in Chinese. The Magic School B u s b y A m e r i c a n authors Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen and The Adventures of Tintin by places respectively. The two original Chinese- Belgian cartoonist Hergé (real name Georges language entries were authored by Taiwan- Remi, 1907-83) came in at first and second based scholar Wei-Ping Chen and Chinese 74 Culture & Life News From China April 2015

American writer Liu Yong. has been devoted to ensuring these books can So why the dearth of authors from the enjoy a renaissance in their country of origin. Chinese mainland on the list? What is it about “I was struck by the sheer quality of the the work of domestic children’s writers that has textbooks compiled back then,” said Yu. so failed to capture the imagination of the What Children Want country’s youth? It has been argued by some that the underrepresentation of Chinese- After studying several books on the history language originals on the list can be attributed of Chinese children’s literature, Yu found that to the contention that foreign children’s books this sector of the publishing industry are possessed of a richer imagination and are experienced a boom in the almost 40 years generally regarded as more interesting and following 1912. A large number of reputedly appealing than their Chinese counterparts. excellent works were published by the “Many Western publishing houses engaged Commercial Press, the Zhonghua Book Co., and in the publishing of children’s titles have several other publishing houses no longer in histories stretching back more than 100 years, existence. All these presses were based in which has enabled them to accumulate a wealth Shanghai, which in those days acted as China’s of experience in the area,” said Yu Xiaoqun, cultural hub. President of Dolphin Books, a Beijing-based Yu started by looking for the version of the publishing house Children’s Library s p e c i a l i z i n g i n book series published children’s books. by the Commercial “ I n C h i n a , P r e s s i n 1 9 3 4 , conversely, it’s hard to r e g a r d e d a s t h e find a children’s earliest picture books p u b l i s h e r o f a n for children in China. equivalent vintage as T h i s c o l l e c t i o n the development of originally contained many such companies 200 titles; however, has been interrupted locating all of them by wars and political proved in no way to be movements,” Yu said. child’s play. C h i n a ’ s m o d e r n Yu’s team first history is fraught with discovered several turbulence, ranging titles in this collection from wars against invading powers from 1840 at online secondhand bookstores and onward to political turmoil in the 1960s and purchased them. However, the pages of some of 1970s, instability that has undoubtedly taken a these books turned out to be damaged or torn. toll on its publishing industry. “In the past, it was not permitted to stock Although foreign children’s books are children’s books in public libraries, which was popular in China, Yu said the country boasts its one of the reasons why many of these books own excellent children’s authors. were lost or failed to survive intact to the Yu is particularly interested in children’s present day,” said Yu. books written during the period of the Republic Finally, with the help of the Shanghai Library of China (1912-49), which he regards as being and the Commercial Press Ltd. in Taiwan—one of an exceptionally high quality. Ever since of the successors to the Shanghai-based joining Dolphin Books as president in 2009, Yu publishing house—that republished the News From China April 2015 Culture & Life 75 collection in the 1960s, Yu was able to secure 184 of the original collection’s 200 works and to publish them in four volumes. T h e C h i l d r e n ’ s Library series uses pictures and simple language to tell stories or convey knowledge a b o u t n a t u r e a n d society. For example, it includes one chapter which discusses the issue of how to be a good student. O n c e t h e f i r s t volume, consisting of 10 books, was put on sale “Many books written during the period has on the e-commerce platform JD.com in 2011, been republished since the founding of the the initial run of 10,000 copies were sold out People’s Republic of China in 1949. However, within less than a month. Another 10,000 until relatively recently, books tailored to copies were printed afterward. children from the same period have received “The commercial success bolstered our inadequate attention,” said Yu. confidence. We continued to search for Children’s books during that period taught children’s books of that period and have since kids how to get along with people using found more and more good stuff,” said Yu. principles espoused by Confucianism and how After the Children’s Library series, Yu went to attain a balanced relationship between on to republish the Primary School Students’ humankind and nature. Library line, which was also originally “Many parents today want their children to published by the Commercial Press in 1934. read these books in order to learn how to be a This collection originally comprised a total of good person,” said Yu. 500 titles in 45 subject areas encompassing “Books written for children during the social science, politics, economics, fairy tales, Republic of China period taught kids morals and mythology, poetry and drama. Yu selected 394 ethics and helped them establish a positive works from 42 areas and compressed them into value system,” said Pu Huaqing, a writer of 164 books. children’s literature. “From this perspective, “I read the collection in my primary school these books will never be out of date.” library in the 1930s. I was enamored with the Yu pointed out that those who wrote fairy tales, while the books titled Water, Light, children’s books during that period were and Sound instructed me about basic scientific predominantly renowned writers or scholars, a knowledge. These books have benefited me a situation which would be unimaginable today. lot,” said Jiang Feng, an 89-year-old former He cited the example of Feng Zikai (1898-1975), professor with Zhejiang Normal University and a renowned cartoonist, essayist and translator editor of the newly published Primary School who drew illustrations for many picture books Students’ Library series. and textbooks of that period. 76 Culture & Life News From China April 2015

“Feng applied the way children think to his lines and publishing houses and to spread a paintings and writings. No matter whether he positive message,” said Yu. was painting or writing essays, he would ask himself whether he was thinking like a child,” Yu told Beijing Review. Works of Value Profile Yu believes it is vitally important to ensure children’s books carry the right messages, as his Yu Xiaoqun was intended audience is as yet too immature to tell born in Dandong right from wrong. A nihilistic view of life and the o f n o r t h e a s t questionable conceptions inherent in some China’s Liaoning works may exert a negative influence upon P r o v i n c e i n September 1956. children, one which could potentially last for After graduating the remainder of their lives. f r o m J i l i n In addition to republishing old books, University with a Dolphin Books has embraced contemporary master’s degree in 1982, he joined Liaoning works such as Taiwan-based illustrator and Education Press and later acted as its writer Jimmy Liao’s picture books. president and editor in chief. He became “Liao’s picture book My Little Perfect World president of Dolphin Books in 2009. In his three-decade-long publishing career, Yu has tells children that it’s impossible for one to be been responsible for the publication of perfect and normal for a kid to be imperfect. It several book series comprising works by teaches kids how to face difficulties and defeat both Chinese and foreign authors of a high in life and be optimistic,” said Yu. intellectual and academic caliber. He has also Now the author’s picture book series has written over a dozen books himself, most of become one of the imprint’s flagship lines. which have taken the form of essay collections that relate his personal “The key to boosting the development of experience and understanding of life and children’s books in China is to cultivate reliable literature. brand identities with regard to both publishing

Popular Chinese TV Dramas Overseas

China is a country that produces some revoke the fondest of memories. 30,000 episodes of TV drama every year – undoubtedly the largest number in the world. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1994) recent years, an increasing number of Chinese “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” is a TV dramas has been exported overseas and Chinese television series based on the classical gained substantial popularity among foreign novel of the same title. First aired in 1994, the audiences. drama spanned a total of 84 episodes. As one of Although a number of them were broadcast the most expensive television series produced in China dozens of years ago, they remain firm at that time, it was completed over the course of fan favorites until this day. After all, watching a four years, involved 400,000 in cast and crew good old-fashioned TV drama might even and allegedly cost a pretty penny. The end result News From China April 2015 Culture & Life 77 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.

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. 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. 78 Culture & Life News From China April 2015

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 re- edited 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 welcomed by eleven tall earthen mounds, built Road for 2000 years. Emperors of thirteen around the 1st century—the tomb of emperors dynasties chose here as their political, cultural in Western Han dynasty. This is a place of and economic center. Nowadays, travelers are 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 c o n s c i o u s a n d s y s t e m a t i c r e c o r d 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 Culture & Life 79 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 surround- ing countryside. All the territory under the heaven belonged to the emperor the Bell Tower, Drum Tower and City Wall to himself. So, he had the power to build a suppress those dragon spirits. grandiose mausoleum with the expense of the Ancient City Wall treasury reserves. The first Qin emperor of the The Ancient City Wall of Xi’an was Qin Dynasty started to build his resting place constructed in the 14th century of Ming Dynasty when he was only 13. The Terra Cotta Warriors under Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. The are just a part of tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang. construction was triggered by a hermit named The emperors in Han dynasty were more Zhu Sheng who advised the Emperor to build practical, preferring the small figurines to the high walls to protect the city from invaders and full sized ones to be buried with them. The to store food supplies for future use. Seeing this valiant and mighty soldiers were replaced with as an opportunity to make his monarchy live the graceful, peaceful and kind smaller ones. longer, the emperor ruled the construction of The influence of those emperors is the ancient wall. He began to enlarge the wall everywhere, though no emperors lived here built initially during the Tang Dynasty. after the Tang dynasty. The strategic position The city wall was originally built of rammed and its potential threat of the so-called imperial earth, lime and glutinous rice extract. Years descendants forced the Ming emperors to build 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 80 Culture & Life News From China April 2015

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 m a k e i t i m p o s s i b l e 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 designs of the Ming Dynasty touching the stories the center of the city of Xi’an. It initially had a and anecdotes of ancient China. Ancient musical huge bronze Jingyun Bell hanging at the corner instruments were being displayed on the first of the tower. It was built in 1384 by Zhu floor. A spiral staircase would lead you up to the Yuanzhang of Ming Dynasty with the height of second floor where records of relocation were 36 meters and covering an area of 1,377 square pinned on the west side of the wall. Exhibited meters. Originally, it was constructed near the also were porcelain and Chinese calligraphy and Drum Tower as both had similar function. It was arts. originally built to inform people that a new day Drum Tower has come and daytime is about to start by The Drum Tower was constructed in the ringing the bell at dawn. As the years year 1380, four years ahead of the Bell Tower in progressed, the city also grew and the central the early era of Ming Dynasty. It was renovated axis has changed. In 1582, the Bell Tower was twice in 1699 and 1740. The tower is a two- moved to its new location, the new center of the storied rectangular structure with triple-eave city which was 1,000 meters east. The glazed bricks and covering an area of 1,924 relocation was a massive effort of the people square meters. Contrary to the Bell Tower, its 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 News From China April 2015 Culture & Life 81 early function was to strike the drum at dusk to three pits containing the terracotta figures and announce the end of the day. During the ancient it was estimated that there were over 7,000 China, both Bell and Drum Towers portrayed a soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 significant role in the Chinese people’s daily cavalry horses near Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s lives as time devices. At present, the second mausoleum. Up till now, the archeologists are floor of the Drum Tower is used as an antique still digging for more discoveries. shop and sometimes holds an art exhibition. Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. During his time, the Terracotta Warriors dominant religious beliefs in China were on the On March 29, 1974, a group of farmers were “shen” and “yin” translated as “spirits” and digging the ground for water well and “shadows”. Death for them was just simply discovered fragments of terracotta or baked moving from one world to another. To solidify earth figures. This prompted the Chinese his kingdom and to protect him in his afterlife, archaeologists to investigate and unlocked the terracotta figures of soldiers, chariots and mystery of the largest pottery figurine of the horses were buried near the emperor’s emperor’s warriors, chariots and horses buried necropolis at Mount Li. east of Xi’an in Shaanxi province. The figures of The Terracotta Warriors is one of the biggest infantry soldiers were life-sized and vary in historical sites in Xi’an that draw millions of hairstyle, uniform and height with the tallest tourist all over the world. UNESCO listed it as the being the high ranking officials. There were World Heritage Site on December 1987. 82 Culture & Life News From China April 2015 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 Tibet Today News From China April 2015

TIBET TODAY

China Issues White Paper on Tibet

Beijing April 15 (Xinhua) — The Chinese “middle way”, which negates Tibet’s sound government on Wednesday issued a white development path and attempts to create a paper on southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous “state within a state” on Chinese territory as an Region, applauding its development path and interim step towards the ultimate goal of full denouncing the “middle way” advocated by the independence. Dalai Lama. “The only sensible alternative is for the Dalai The white paper, under the title “Tibet’s Lama and his supporters to accept that Tibet has Path of Development Is Driven by an Irresistible been part of China since antiquity, to abandon Historical Tide”, holds that Tibet’s current their goals of dividing China and seeking development path is correct. independence for Tibet, and to begin to act in Tibet’s continual progress on its present the interests of Tibet and the country at large,” it path of development is an objective says. requirement of modern civilization. It accords The central government has followed a clear with the progressive trend of human society, the and consistent policy towards the 14th Dalai prevailing conditions and the current reality in Lama, the report stresses. China, and the fundamental interests of all “Only when he makes a public statement ethnic groups in Tibet, says the white paper, acknowledging that Tibet has been an integral released by the Information Office of the State part of China since antiquity, and abandons his Council. stance on independence and his attempts to However, the report points out that there is divide China, can he improve his relationship a party who cluster around the 14th Dalai Lama, with the central government in any real sense,” it representatives of the remnants of the feudal says. serf owners who have long lived in exile, driven The central government hopes that the Dalai by a political goal of “Tibetan independence” Lama will put aside his illusions in his remaining and a sentimental attachment to the old years and face up to reality, adapt his position, theocratic feudal serfdom. choose the objective and rational path, and do Having failed to instigate violence in something of benefit to overseas Tibetan support of their cause, they turned to the compatriots in exile, it says.

Long-term Prosperity, Stability Stressed for China's Tibetan Regions

(2015-03-28, From Xinhua) Top Chinese improvement of people’s livelihood, promote political advisor Yu Zhengsheng has called for religious and ethnic harmony to maintain long- efforts to coordinate development and term prosperity and stability in Tibetan regions. News From China April 2015 Tibet Today 85

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 a c c e l e r a t i n g t h e development of Tibetan regions is to improve people’s livelihoods, and i m p r o v i n g p e o p l e ’ 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 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 s o c i a l a n d e c o n o m i c achievements of Aba and urged the region to map out an employment-oriented development plan that Yu Zhengsheng (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political combined infrastructure Consultative Conference, visits a kindergarten in Waqie Township, Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 25, 2015. (Xinhua/Li a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l Tao) protection. 86 Tibet Today News From China April 2015

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 Qomolangma Base Camp at the altitude of 5200 Management Committee of the Rongpo meters. Monastery, the highest temple in the world. Gonpo, an 80-year-old alpinist,was very These days, whenever he’s free, he turns on TV happy when he heard the news that power was and watches Tibetan programs.”In the past, we on in the Mt.Qomolangma Base Camp. In 1960, lit the room by solar power or candles. The solar he and his two teammates, Wang Fuzhou and Qu power could usually be used for 3 to 4 hours in Yinhua, made history as the fi rst human beings one evening, and then would run out. Now, we to climb Mt. Qomolangma from the northern can watch 52 channels on TV as long as we want side, and the first to leave the Five-Starred Red and are not worried about electricity any more.” Flag waving on the summit of the Earth.”My last Gyapol’s excitement benefits from a newly time in the base camp of Mt. Qomolangma was completed electric power project. In the middle more than 20 years ago. Then, power was of April 2014, the Mt. Qomolangma 10kv generated by dynamo. We had to save it and Electricity Project, which has lasted for two used it only when we wanted to send messages. years, was officially finished and put into use. That electricity has been sent onto the The completion of the construction signifi es Mt.Qomolangma Base Camp is as great as those that China formally sends power to the Mt. human beings reaching the peak of the News From China April 2015 Tibet Today 87 mountain,” the old Gonpo stated inspiredly. thousand.The wire line going through the foot of Wang Yunjia, reporter from the Xinhua Mt. Qomolangma is only one section of the News Agency, who arrived at the Mt. program. By such a way to extend the major Qomolangma Base Camp with the Tibetan power net, the State Grid Corporation of China Mountaineering Team in 2013, wrote in an not only realizes that there is electricity interview:”Then, though there was a dynamo in available in the Mt.Qomolangma Base Camp, but the camp, fuel was very precious.So every it also supplies safe and reliable power for the evening, we could only have it operating for 1,011 families in the 21 villages along the line three hours, and our cell phones would not be and for the historic Monastery of Rongpo. charged until that time. For climbers and The news that power is on in the Mt. tourists, it is a good thing to have power on in Qomolangma Base Camp soon aroused hot the base camp.” discussions among the vast outdoor fans. Some Looking at Pole No. 8844, the highest 10kv netizen said:”Now I am not worried about w i r e p o l e i n t h e having a bath in the Mt. Qomolangma Base world,Palbar Dondrup, director of the project, said: “The construction region is a s h i g h a s 5 0 0 0 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. Q o m o l a n g m a B a s e , 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 Corporation of China 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 88 Tibet Today News From China April 2015

camp.” region of Mt.Qomolangma has changed due to Also, the news delights the tourists and the impact of global warming. alpinists, and fills researchers with expectation. One responsible person from the Ten times every year, Wang Zhongyan,Assistant government of the Tingri County of Shigatse Master of the Mt.Qomolangma Station, the Prefecture believed that the project would not Institute of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,Chinese only offer convenience for the annual 70 Academy of Sciences, goes to the Mt. thousand people visiting the Mt. Qomolangma Qomolangma Base Camp to do scientific Base Camp,but it would also greatly improve the research. He said that before the poles were set power-usage life of the local common people. up, the Mt. Qomolangma Station relied on the “In a few days, I am going to go to the county and solar photovoltaic generation as the main buy a laundry machine. Then, I don’thave to power source. However,the solar generation suffer cold and do laundry in winter,” said had its disadvantages with an insufficient work Rigzin, a woman from the Township Village of rate, easy weather impact,and less capacity to Zhaxizom,Tingri County. run larger instruments. Especially in the monsoon period, the shortage of power g re a t ly i n f l u e n c e d t h e operations of scientific 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 m u c h c o nve n i e n c e , a n d guarantees the station’s ability to plan and develop future scientific research observations, particularly assuring the operation of higherpower instruments. Then, fellow researchers c o u l d a p p l y d i f f e r e n t monitoring methods to collect more information. If the work and data accumulation can persist for several years, they could give more detailed and precise explanations to enhance understanding of how the environment in the 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 E-mail: [email protected] Website of Foreign Ministry of China: www.mfa.gov.cn E-mail:[email protected] www.fmprc.gov.cn

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