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Xi to attend opening ceremony of 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation: FM
11 Mar 2019

 

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd L) attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and relations on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in late April in Beijing and deliver a keynote speech, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

 

Wang made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session.

 

Xi will also chair a leaders' roundtable, he said.

 

The number of foreign heads of state and government expected to attend will be much more than that of the first BRF, Wang said, noting that it will be a much bigger event with thousands of delegates from over 100 countries expected to attend.

 

There will be more side events, including 12 sub-forums focusing on practical cooperation, he said, adding that a conference will be organized specifically for the business community for the first time.

 

With the theme of "Belt and Road Cooperation, Shaping a Brighter Shared Future," the second BRF aims to bring about high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Wang said.

 

The initiative has become the world's largest platform for international cooperation and the most welcomed global public goods, he said, noting that a total of 123 countries and 29 international organizations have signed BRI agreements with China.

 

He cited a raft of examples. "Thanks to the BRI, east Africa now has its first expressway. Maldives has built its first inter-island bridge. Belarus is able to produce sedans. Kazakhstan is connected to the sea. Southeast Asia is constructing a high-speed railway. And Eurasian continent is benefiting from the longest distance freight train service."