The 10th Anniversary of the "the Belt and Road" and the International Forum on Cooperation between China and Laos

Beijing Daily Client | Reporter Liu Liu

On July 5, the 10th Anniversary of the "the Belt and Road" and the International Forum on Cooperation between China and Laos, jointly sponsored by Chongyang Institute of Finance of Renmin University of China (Renmin Chongyang) and the Institute of Industry and Trade Economics of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Laos, was successfully held in Vientiane, Laos. Zhao Wenyu, Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Laos, delivered a speech on behalf of Ambassador Jiang Zaidong at the forum. Songshawa Lingsawa, former Executive Vice Premier of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, attended the forum as a special guest and accepted media questions.

In the opening speech segment of the forum, Wang Wen, Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute of Finance, Renmin University of China, presided over the opening ceremony, and Zhao Wenyu, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Laos, delivered an opening speech on behalf of Ambassador Jiang Zaidong. Zhao Wenyu said that China Laos cooperation has become stronger over time, and high political mutual trust is the biggest advantage of the two countries to jointly build the "the Belt and Road". In the new century, the relationship between China and Laos continues to improve in quality and upgrade. China is willing to deepen cooperation with Laos, share new opportunities for China's development and the Chinese market, work together to build a high-quality "Belt and Road", actively promote the common prosperity and development of China and Laos, and continuously improve the living standards of the people.

Liu Jintao, associate researcher of Chongyang Institute of Finance, Renmin University of China, released the research report "China ASEAN Green Development in the Context of the" the Belt and Road ": Taking the China Laos Railway as an Example". The report starts from the solid foundation of China ASEAN green cooperation on the "the Belt and Road", analyzes the prospects and needs of ASEAN on green development, discusses the economic, financing, trade and other challenges faced by China ASEAN green cooperation on the "the Belt and Road", puts forward the trade value, environmental value and financial value of the China Laos Railway pulling the "the Belt and Road" green cooperation, and makes a prospect for China ASEAN green cooperation on the "the Belt and Road" in the future.

The keynote speech session of the Forum was hosted by Vinsawang Tipavon, Vice President of the Institute of Industry and Trade Economics of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Laos. Guests from China and Laos gave wonderful views on China Laos economic and trade cooperation under the "the Belt and Road".

Chen Wenling, chief economist of China International Economic Exchange Center and former director of the Research Office of the State Council, believes that the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" has brought major historical opportunities to most countries in the world. The China Laos Railway is not only a railway transportation line, but also a "golden key" to connect ASEAN countries such as China, Laos and Thailand, and the "golden key" for people along the line to open a happy life. China's practical actions and globally visible landmark projects have brought hope and opportunities to countries and people involved in the construction of the "the Belt and Road".

Stiros Rasfoni, President of the Development Research Institute of the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Laos, proposed that the China Laos Economic Corridor will provide opportunities for Laos' trade and investment activities and productivity improvement, promote the development and sustainable prosperity of areas along the China Laos Railway, improve the well-being of the Lao people, further strengthen infrastructure connectivity between regional countries, improve the level of economic cooperation, reduce circulation costs, improve circulation efficiency, and promote regional economic integration.

Hu Xijin, the former chief editor of the Global Times, discussed China Laos people to people and cultural exchanges under the "the Belt and Road" from the perspective of China Laos friendship, and said that the Chinese people respect Laos very much, so they gave the Chinese character "Laos" to this beautiful country.

Champasuk Vidafeng, director of the Trade Policy Research Department of the Institute of Industry and Trade Economics of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Laos, believes that China and Laos under the China Laos Railway have significant development prospects in terms of trade increment, and China Laos trade will glow more brilliance under the promotion of the "the Belt and Road".

At the round table dialogue session of the Forum, guests from China and Laos held a heated discussion on the future of China Laos cooperation on the "the Belt and Road".

Ding Gang, a senior reporter of the People's Daily, a senior consultant of the Global Times, and a senior researcher of the Chongyang Institute of Finance of Renmin University of China, suggested promoting direct cooperation between Chinese and Laotian villages and farmers, such as carrying out cooperation in coffee planting between China and Laos, jointly carrying out demonstration projects in coffee planting, promoting advanced coffee planting technologies, training farmers in coffee planting and processing skills, and improving the added value and competitiveness of the coffee industry. At the same time, this high-quality agricultural production method can be promoted to produce fruits, vegetables, nuts and other agricultural products, and with the help of China's poverty alleviation experience, small loans can be used to inject funds into agricultural cooperation, promote farmers from both regions to start businesses together, and seek more opportunities for win-win cooperation.

Tulani Savisai, a professor at the School of Economics and Business Administration of Laos National University, introduced a new research and proposed to create more attractive incentives for more investment and business environment through promoting policies, so as to improve the awareness and general understanding of the Lao people on the "the Belt and Road" plan and development.

Lu Yang, a professor at the the Belt and Road Strategic Research Institute of Tsinghua University, believes that the "the Belt and Road" is an international public product and international cooperation platform, in which policy communication is an important guarantee and guide for the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", infrastructure connectivity is a priority, unimpeded trade is an important content, financial integration is an important support, and people to people connectivity is the humanistic foundation. The China Laos railway is an important carrier for China and Laos to build a community of shared future, and contributes to the building of a community of shared future between China and ASEAN.

Yingpeng Intafeng, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Division of the Planning and Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Laos, put forward practical suggestions for China Laos agricultural cooperation under the strategic framework of the "the Belt and Road". He believed that border trade and border forestry cooperation should be constantly strengthened, border forest fire prevention, wildlife protection and pest control should be strengthened, and attention should be paid to stopping and combating illegal logging in border areas to protect forest security in border areas.

Somdes Buhasshan, Deputy Director of the Industrial Policy Research Division of the Institute of Industry and Trade Economics of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Laos, believes that the "the Belt and Road" initiative is a development strategy proposed by China in 2013 to strengthen connectivity and cooperation in Asia, Europe, Africa and other regions. Logistics and transportation play a vital role in the "the Belt and Road" initiative, promoting the flow of products, services and people among participating countries

At the closing session of the forum, Wang Wen, Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute of Finance, Renmin University of China, talked with former Vice Premier of Laos, Songshawa Lingshawar. Premier Songshawar answered questions from reporters on the spot and pointed out that the greatest significance of the "the Belt and Road" for Laos lies in not only increasing official cooperation, but also boosting confidence of all sectors of society in Laos and China to enhance understanding and strengthen exchanges. The life of the Lao people has become better because of the "the Belt and Road", which is the best interpretation of the "Laos China community of common destiny". As the decision-maker of the China Laos Railway at that time, Song Shawa believed that under the "the Belt and Road" initiative, the achievements of Laos China cooperation had brightened the world, and infrastructure was the top priority. The China Laos Railway not only created engineering and economic miracles in Laos, but also in the entire ASEAN region. Songshawa also pointed out that developing special zones has become an important measure for Laos to achieve regional economic takeoff. In the process of development, Laos continues to explore more effective management methods and form valuable practical experience.

The success of this forum has played an important role in promoting China Laos cooperation on the "the Belt and Road". Under the guidance of China Laos railway and other projects, China and Laos will continue to deepen the important concept of building a "community of shared future for mankind" and establish a closer international partnership on the "the Belt and Road".