10 years on, there is a better understanding of the nature of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is not a tool for expanding geopolitical influence but a platform for cooperation, as the facts have shown.
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1. Guests from more than 150 countries attended the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF III). It is themed on "High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity."
Three high-level forums were held under the topics.
Connectivity in an Open World Economy
Green Silk Road for Harmony with Nature
Digital Economy as a New Source of Growth
Six thematic forums were held with different focuses.
Trade Connectivity
Maritime Cooperation
Clean Silk Road
Think Tank Exchanges
People-to-People Bonds
Subnational Cooperation
2. Over the past 10 years
The Belt and Road cooperation network has stretched from the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America.
More than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China.
China hosted three BRFs and launched together with its cooperation partners more than 20 multilateral dialogue and cooperation platforms in many sectors such as railway, port, finance, taxation, energy, etc.
3. The BRI has promoted development of the connectivity networks.
4. The BRI has rejuvenated the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit.
5. The participants expect strengthened efforts to usher in a new stage of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
6. Eight major steps(👈click for more)will be taken by China to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
7. A total of 458 outcomes were delivered during the BRF III, including:
more financial support for infrastructure projects
cooperation in areas of transport, energy resources, water conservancy, and information communication facilities
international cooperation on rules, regulations, and standards
the Beijing Initiative for Deepening Cooperation on Connectivity
Build Green Silk Road for Living in Harmony with Nature
the principles of equity and common
cooperation in areas of biodiversity conservation
the development of effective green finance instruments
the Green Investment and Finance Partnership
the Beijing Initiative for Belt and Road Green Development
Develop Digital Economy as a New Source of Growth
to bridge the digital gap
to build and improve information infrastructure, namely regional communications, internet, satellite navigation, etc
the Global AI Governance Initiative and  the Beijing Initiative on the Belt and Road International Digital Economy Cooperation
9. The main points the thematic forums:
Promoting Unimpeded Trade
the rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive, just and transparent multilateral trading system
to further enhance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation
to improve business environment
to conclude the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement
the Initiative on International Trade and Economic Cooperation Framework for Digital Economy and Green Development
Enhancing Maritime Cooperation
to promote the marine industries, and develop a sustainable, resilient and inclusive blue economy    Â
innovations in blue economy finance, financial instrument utilization, and investment and financing environment improvement for blue industries
the sustainable use of marine resources
to deepen marine science and technology cooperation
to provide maritime public services
the Belt and Road Blue Cooperation Initiative
Promoting Clean Silk Road
comprehensive and efficient international cooperation on fugitive repatriation, asset recovery, anti-bribery, and anti-money laundering
the Achievements and Prospects of Belt and Road Integrity Building
the High-Level Principles on Belt and Road Integrity Building
a culture of integrity, an awareness of enterprises for self-discipline, rule of law, and accountability
to strengthen academic exchanges and cooperation against corruption
Strengthening Think Tank Exchanges
to promote the sharing of information, resources, and research outcomes
to conduct joint research by leveraging their respective professional advantages
to carry out the BRI-related thematic activities, enhance academic exchanges
to strengthen communication with the general public on the BRI
the Initiative of Promoting International Think Tank Cooperation for BRI
Enhancing People-to-People Exchanges
to foster people-to-people bonds, and expect further exchanges and cooperation in areas of art, culture, education, etc
the Joint Statement of Proposals on Strengthening Silk Road People-to-People Connectivity; the Belt and Road Future Leaders Program; the Belt and Road Fund for People-to-People Connectivity
Strengthening Subnational Cooperation
to advance the building of subnational cooperation platforms and to work to foster more friendly partnerships among subnational governments
to continuously deepen subnational people-to-people exchanges
the Thematic Forum on Subnational Cooperation
10. The Belt and Road cooperation is based on market rules and is supported by inter-governmental cooperation. The Beijing Declaration of the Belt and Road CEO Conference was released during the BRF III as an outcome.
11. The Belt and Road cooperation partners will jointly translate the above outcomes into actions, and continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
Chinese FM Wang Yi's remarks on BRF
The clearest message this Forum has sent out is solidarity, cooperation, and openness for win-win results.
unity rather than division
cooperation rather than confrontation
openness rather than isolation
win-win rather than zero-sum
The most important consensus reached at this forum is to open a new stage of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
the High-level Forum on Connectivity: further deepening connectivity
the High-level Forum on Digital Economy: accelerating the construction of the "Digital Silk Road"
the High-level Forum on Green Development: deepening the "Green Silk Road" to empower green development
other thematic forums: advancing practical cooperation in an all-round way
The most ambitious vision put forward by this Forum is to join hands to realize world modernization.
new RMB financing Windows
to promote local employment through project cooperation
to implement 1,000 small-scale livelihood assistance projects
The most distinctive feature of this Forum is that it is action-oriented, efficient and practical.
a total of 458 outcomes
to provide an inexhaustible driving force for global economic growth and common development
List of Multilateral Cooperation Deliverables of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (89 items) (full version👈)
I. Deliverables of the High-level Forums
Beijing Initiative for Deepening Cooperation on Connectivity
Establishing the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation Alliance
Please see the full version of the details.
II. Deliverables of Thematic Forums and the CEO Conference
Initiative on International Trade and Economic Cooperation Framework for Digital Economy and Green Development
Belt and Road Blue Cooperation Initiative
Please see the full version of the details.
III. Deliverables of Inter-governmental Cooperation Platforms
Our Time, Our Road, Our Ports——Vision and Actions on Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation (launched at the Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum)
Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development of Twenty Cities (launched by the Belt and Road Sustainable Cities Alliance)
Please see the full version of the details.
IV. Deliverables of Non-government Cooperation Platforms
Initiative on Forging Synergies for Development, Jointly Building a Beautiful Silk Road (issued by more than 20 scientific research institutions from China and Central Asia)
Initiative of Strengthening Belt and Road (China-Africa) Technology Innovation Cooperation to Promote Sustainable Development in Africa (issued by the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, African Union Development Agency, African Agricultural Technology Fund, and the Kenya National Innovation Agency)
Please see the full version of the details.
V. International Conferences in 2023 and 2024
The 8th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, China
China-Europe Railway Express Cooperation Forum
Please see the full version of the details.
List of Practical Cooperation Deliverables of The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (full version👈)
I. Bilateral Cooperation Documents
The Communist Party of China (CPC) signed the Action Plan on Building a Community with a Shared Future (2024-2028) with the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.
The Ministry of Science and Technology of China will sign the MOU on Bilateral Cooperation under the Framework of China-LAC Sustainable Food Innovation Center with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Argentina.
Please see the full version of the details.
â…¡. Cooperation Documents with International and Regional Organizations
The Chinese government signed the Renewal of the Agreement on Enhancing Belt and Road Intellectual Property Cooperation and the agreement on its amendment and extension with the World Intellectual Property Organization.
The Chinese government will sign the report of the mid-term review of the Work Programme on Further Deepening Trade and Economic Cooperation with ASEAN.
Please see the full version of the details.
â…¢. Bilateral Cooperation Platforms and Projects or Mechanisms Launched by the Chinese Side
Established the Corporate Integrity and Compliance Evaluation System for the BRI.
Established the Mechanism of the China-Central Asian Transport Ministers' Meeting. To establish the China-Cambodia Railway Cooperation Mechanism. Launched the China Railway Express Portal website.
Please see the full version of the details.
â…£. Institutional Schemes Proposed by the Chinese Side
The China Development Bank will set up a RMB350 billion financing window for Belt and Road cooperation.
The Export-Import Bank of China will set up a RMB350 billion financing window for Belt and Road cooperation.
Please see the full version of the details.
â…¤. Cooperation Projects
The Chinese government signed the MOU on Cooperation in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port Project with the Kuwait government, and signed the cooperation documents on Joint Construction of China Basa-Viet Nam Bat Xat Red River Boundary River Road Bridge with the government of Viet Nam.
The Chinese government will sign the exchange of letters for the Addis Ababa - Djibouti Railway Materials Project with the government of Ethiopia, and the exchange of letters on the China-Aid Project of Wind Power Plants with the government of Uzbekistan.
Please see the full version of the details.
â…¥. People's Livelihood and People-to-people Connectivity Projects
China will carry out 1,000 small-scale livelihood assistance projects.
The Chinese government will provide training sessions and seminars for 20,000 foreign officials and technical personnel and in-service education programs for 500 persons in China, continue to implement the Silk Roads Youth Research Grant, and launch the Belt and Road Youth Elite Program and the Belt and Road Youth Development Program.
Please see the full version of the details.
â…¦. White Papers and Research Reports
Issued The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future.
To issue the Vision and Proposed Actions outlined on Pursuing Steady and Sustained Progress in High-Quality BRI Cooperation — Prospects for the BRI in the Next Decade.
