Work together to advance economic globalization

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

In the face of the profound changes in international political and economic landscapes, China will remain a force for peace, stability, justice and equity. We will continue to make our contribution to world peace and global development and uphold the international order. We will stay committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, and work for the building of a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation and a community of shared future for mankind. We are ready to develop friendship and cooperation with all other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Following the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, we will strengthen connectivity and friendly ties with neighboring countries and promote good-neighborliness, mutual trust and common development in our neighborhood. China is ready to work with its Asian neighbors and all countries in the world to make new contribution to peace and development of mankind.

With the vision for common development of the world, President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative in the autumn of 2013. Characterized by extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, the Belt and Road builds on the complementarities of various parties to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and common development for the benefit of the people. Three years on, the Initiative has been endorsed and supported by more than 100 countries and international organizations. More than 40 of them have signed cooperation agreements with China in areas such as connectivity, industrial capacity cooperation and financial support. A number of major projects have been launched and delivered early harvests in boosting local economy, generating jobs and improving people's lives. In May this year, China will host the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, during which participants will have an opportunity to explore cooperation plans, build cooperation platforms and share the outcomes of cooperation. They will look for solutions to the economic challenges of the region and beyond and unleash new drivers for interconnected development so that greater benefits will be delivered to the people through the building of the Belt and Road.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

As a Chinese poem reads, "While the mighty river winds through the mountains, it never changes course and always flows east." Economic globalization and free trade, like a big river, will never be blocked by mountains or stopped by undercurrents and shallow shoals, but always surge ahead toward the vast ocean of world economy. Let us work together to push forward economic globalization and free trade and create a better future for Asia and the world.

Finally, I wish the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2017 a full success.

Thank you.