Xi’s Asia visit to boost ‘Belt and Road’ construction and promote BRICS cooperation

FORTALEZA, July 15, 2014 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the sixth BRICS summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, July 15, 2014. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) (wf)

Zhongsheng (People’s Daily Online)

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to Cambodia and Bangladesh, and attend the 8th BRICS summit to be held in Goa, India from Oct. 13 to 17. This trip is set to be a major diplomatic event, which has the potential to boost friendship, facilitate “Belt and Road” construction and promote BRICS cooperation.

China and Cambodia already enjoy close relations. Thanks to the efforts of the two countries’ leaders, the nations’ bilateral friendship has withstood the test of various international challenges since the establishment of diplomatic ties half a century ago. Cambodia unfailingly upholds justice and renders support to China over issues that concern China’s core interests. As the first visit paid by a major Chinese leader to Cambodia after the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi’s trip will significantly enhance the countries’ existing friendship and deepen bilateral cooperation.

Bangladesh is also a good neighbor, friend and partner of China. The two countries have maintained mutual respect, understanding and support over the past 41 years since establishing diplomatic relations. Given Bangladesh’s status as an important partner in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, China is looking forward to cooperation with Bangladesh on high-level exchanges, trade expansion, production capacity, energy development and infrastructure. Xi’s visit to Bangladesh, the first tour of the country by a Chinese president in 30 years, is a milestone for China-Bangladesh ties.

The Belt and Road Initiative aims to benefit the whole Asian region. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, part of the initiative, was firstly proposed by Xi during his Southeast Asia tour three years ago.

As Asian countries and friendly neighbors of China, both Cambodia and Bangladesh have shown willingness to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has expressed Cambodia’s support for the initiative, emphasizing that the proposal will benefit the Cambodian people and other countries along the route.

Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid said he hopes to take the opportunity of the Belt and Road Initiative to promote trade and connectivity with China. During Xi’s visit, he will offer new proposals for cooperation and engage in in-depth discussions of the initiative with leaders from both countries.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of BRICS cooperation. BRICS has become a model for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. Though the economies of BRICS countries have encountered difficulties, the world raised its appraisal of these nations after they took a series of responsive measures. As Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, pointed out, BRICS, as a leader of developing countries, will maximize its prospects amid the vulnerable and unbalanced economic recovery.

Xi once compared the BRICS countries to five fingers of a hand: each one has its own strength, and together they can form a fist. During an informal meeting of BRICS leaders during the G20 Hangzhou summit last month, the leaders of each country emphasized their shared wish to further strengthen strategic partnerships under the principles of openness, equality, unity, mutual understanding, inclusiveness and mutual benefit. Their meeting in Goa will further enhance BRICS cooperation.

Thanks to Xi’s diplomatic efforts, the Belt and Road Initiative is expected to yield a new consensus and exciting results. Both individually and together, the BRICS countries are expected to move forward toward progress.