简体中文
By APD Writer Chen Jiabao
BANGKOK, July 11 (APD) -- The Belt&Road initiative proposed by China has been a new approach for Asian regional cooperation, scholars from Asian countries said here on Boao Forum for Asia(BFA) on Tuesday.
Scholars from 13 Asian countries have reached a consensus that Asian regional cooperation will be a way out for a world awash with protectionism, while China's master plan under its Belt&Road initiative will instill new vigor to regional cooperation.
Jusuf Wanandi, senior fellow and co-founder of the centre for strategic and international Studies from Indonesia
The BFA was attended by nearly 400 leaders from various communities to brainstorm new approaches and challenges to Asian regional cooperation and identify new opportunities of cooperation in different sectors.
Most of the experts recognize that today's world is beset by thorny issues, such as weak economic recovery and growth, intensifying trade protectionism, the urgently needed reform of economic governance, increasingly imbalanced development and divergent policies among major economies.
Chen Namchaisiri, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries
The initiative has drawn up an ambitious blueprint in connectivity.
We should actively respond to the global thrust amid rising de-globalization, said Jusuf Wanandi, senior fellow and co-founder of the center for strategic and international Studies from Indonesia.
The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, later known as the “Belt & Road” was proposed by China's president Xi Jinping in 2013.
The past three years have seen the transformation of this initiative from idea to action, from vision to reality—supported by a clearly defined roadmap with bright prospects.
More than 130 bilateral and regional transportation agreements have been signed, which cover railways, expressways, maritime and air transportation as well as postal services.
Surakiat Sathirathai, former deputy prime minister of Thailand
China has also worked with relevant countries to open more than 350 passenger and freight transportation routes through 73 highways, waterways and ports; maritime transportation services have covered all Belt and Road countries.
The Belt&Road is far more than a purely economic initiative, but a way of thinking and new solution for development, Chen Namchaisiri, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries said.
Chan said the initiative has brought countries along the Belt and Road new lifestyles and new-type economy, such e-commerce.
"People's life will be changed, once they have chances to join the supply chain of e-commerce." he said.
Surakiat Sathirathai, former deputy prime minister of Thailand viewed that the China's master plan of connectivity is highly compatible with Thailand's national strategy.
He told APD that the concept of digital connectivity sits well with Thailand's much-touted 4.0 strategy, which aims to pull out the country out from middle income trap through innovation industry.
Under the initiative, Thailand and China will embrace further cooperation at a higher level.
China has taken a leadership role with its Belt and Road initiative.
The infrastructure connectivity calls for more extensive cooperation in many other areas within the region and beyond, said Don Pramudwinai, foreign minister of Thailand, adding that the initiative is indeed a new tenet of globalization.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
