Ou Xiaoli: Italy Has Set a Good Example For Wester

Source:CBGG

Published: 2019-04-23

      On April 22, 2019, the Second World Finance Forum and the “Belt and Road” Cooperation Beijing Forum co-hosted by the Center for BRICS and Global Governance (CBGG) , the World Finance Forum (WFF) and the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee (RBWC) was successfully held in Beijing. Ou Xiaoli, the director of the Social Development Department of the National Development and Reform Commission and the lead drafter of the “Belt and Road” plan, participated in the forum and made a keynote speech. 

      Ou Xiaoli said that the “Belt and Road” Cooperation Beijing Forum is a warm-up event for the second “Belt and Road” International Cooperation Summit Forum, which is of great significance. At present, China and Italy have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly promote the construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative, and Italy has therefore become the first G7 member to sign the “Belt and Road” memorandum of understanding. Italy has set an example, and it is a good example. In recent years, many developing countries have participated in the joint construction of the “Belt and Road”. However, due to various factors, developed countries have not taken this step. This time, Italy bravely stepped out under pressure and became the first G7 country to join the “Belt and Road” Initiative. Some people said that this was a “milestone” and would serve as a demonstration. 

      Ou Xiaoli said that Italy’s entry into the “Belt and Road” construction has both historical reason and realistic considerations. Since the outbreak of the financial crisis in 2008, today’s world economy has fallen into a trap of low growth. Among them, the overall economic recovery in Europe is weak, and Italy is facing the longest and most severe economic recession since the end of World War II (negative growth occurred 3 times in 10 years). How to restore economic growth, create more jobs, and get out of the long-term political turmoil is a problem that politicians must solve. I think that Italian politicians have a vision and a pattern in this regard. President Xi Jinping proposed the co-construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative in 2013, borrowing the historical symbol of the Silk Road. From a superficial perspective, the Silk Road is a road of trade, but it is essentially a collective term for the exchange of different nations, peoples, and cultures in the East and the West, and it is a road of exchanges between civilizations. It has effectively promoted the development of the areas along the line, promoted the progress of human civilization, and became an important link for the prosperity and development of the countries along the line. It is a friendly symbol of exchanges and cooperation between the East and the West, and is a historical and cultural heritage shared by peoples around the world. Today, President Xi used the extremely inclusive historical symbol of the Silk Road, and proposed the “Belt and Road” initiative with a new era connotation, calling on all countries to uphold the Silk Road spirit of “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit” and follow the principles of “extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits” , which will definitely contribute to building a better community with shared future for mankind.