In the past five years, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has changed from concept to action and from vision to reality.

And this year marks the fifth anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Vice Premier of the State Council, Sun Chunlan, made this comment during the opening of the third Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Fair Expo Summit last week.

Ms Sun pointed out that the International Cultural Expo in Dunhuang City was a profound event.

Journalists from 138 countries, including Fiji, attended the opening ceremony.

The theme for the expo: Showcase the ancient Silk Road, Promote people-people exchanges and build a more beautiful and harmonious world.

Ms Sun said since the founding of the fair more than 1000 countries and international organisations signed and were issued with the Dunhuang Declaration.

She said a series of achievements had been made in the areas of dialogue among civilisations, the protection of historical and cultural heritage, culture, trade and tourism co-operation.

Adding that more than 100 countries and international organisations have actively supported and participated in it.

Morevover, she said, the BRI had been incorporated into important resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.

In five years, 149 intergovernmental co-operation agreements have become the largest trading partners in 25 countries, creating more than 200,000 local jobs and achieving win-win and shared development.

In the past five years, China and the countries concerned have witnessed increasingly intensive exchanges in the fields of education, science and technology, culture, sports, tourism, health and archaeology.

She said China would deepen reciprocal cooperation, strengthen ties, give full play to the role of the platform of the Dunhuang Cultural Fair, expand exchanges between people and academic think tanks and enhance the understanding, friendship and feelings of people of all countries.

Meanwhile, Lin Duo, secretary of the Gansu Provincial Party Committee, said the Silk Road is an important label and symbol for cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.

The Dunhuang Cultural Fair has been held for two years and played a significant role in inheriting the spirit of the Silk Road, harmonising the culture of the Silk Road and promoting co-operation between China and other countries.

Mr Lin said Silk Road has won the international community’s high recognition and becames the Belt and Road the construction brand culture festival.

At the Expo there were multilevel and high-profile sub-forums and many activities and exhibitions focusing on dialogue and consultation, co-construction and sharing were organised to look into the status and opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative and strive for consensus among all parties.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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