Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered the keynote address to the opening session of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation earlier today in Beijing. Speaking to a gathering in the Great Hall of the People of some 4,000 leaders from 140 countries around the world—including 23 heads of state or government—Xi presented what can only be described as a totally Westphalian concept of Man and solutions to the crises facing Mankind. “We should all treat each other as friends and partners, respect and support each other, and help each other succeed,” he stated. “Helping others is also helping oneself.”
Xi stressed that “We have learned that humankind is a community with a shared future. China can only do well when the world is doing well. When China does well, the world will get even better…. The modernization we are pursuing is not for China alone, but for all developing countries through our joint efforts. Global modernization should be pursued to enhance peaceful development and mutually beneficial cooperation and bring prosperity to all.… Let us advance modernization of all countries, build an open, inclusive and interconnected world for common development, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.”
Xi referred several times to the ancient Silk Road and the aura of cooperation surrounding it, noting that “the pioneers of the ancient silk routes won their place in history not as conquerors with warships, guns, horses, or swords. Rather they are remembered as friendly emissaries leading camel caravans and sailing ships loaded with goods.” He declared that the BRI has moved from physical connectivity to institutional connectivity, laying down important guiding principles for high-quality development and creating a new standard for development.
Xi also presented an eight-point proposal for the next stage of BRI development, including extending the Belt and Road across the planet, deepening it with “small yet smart” projects, “advancing scientific and technological innovation,” and setting up a permanent Secretariat for the Belt and Road Forum to give it institutional structure and permanence.
