Beijing, China (CNN Philippines, October 18) — Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged more than 150 countries that are part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to work together and find win-win cooperation as the initiative enters a new era.
Xi led the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum on International Cooperation on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.Belt and Road cooperation has expanded from physical connectivity to institutional connectivity,” said Xi.The Chinese leader also set his eyes on expanding the initiative from infrastructure programs to digital space.We have endeavored to build a global network of connectivity consisting of economic corridors, international transportation routes and information highway as well as railways, roads, airports, ports, pipelines, and power grids,” he saidCovering the land, the ocean, the sky and the internet, this network has boosted the flow of goods, capital, technologies, and human resources among countries,” Xi added.Xi also launched China’s Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance which will increase cooperation on the emerging trend of AI.We stand ready to increase exchanges and dialogue with other countries and jointly promote the sound, orderly and secure AI development in the world,” the Chinese president said.Amid the ambitious plans of the BRI, Xi also warned against geopolitical rivalry and opposed decoupling that could lead to disruption of supplies. He was apparently alluding to Western countries’ efforts to reduce dependence on China’s economy.Ideological confrontation, geopolitical rivalry and bloc politics are not a choice for us,” Xi said. “What we stand against are unilateral sanctions, economic coercion and decoupling and supply chain disruption.
PH can explore opportunities in clean energy, environment protection under BRI- envoy
Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz was among the guests invited to the Belt and Road Forum.
He said the BRI is evolving and adapting to the demands of current times.Knowledge transfer, creating jobs in other countries and these are what we actually need,” FlorCruz said. “Clean energy and environmental protection, these are the things that we need not just for China but also for the Philippines.
