Secretary General Xi Jinping said, “A country or nation’s prosperity has always relied on its flourishing culture. While the Chinese nation will rejuvenate itself with a thriving Chinese civilization.” The Belt and Road Initiative offered new opportunities for cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and foreign countries, by virtue of which it is conducive to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship among peoples, promoting regional cooperation and common development, as well as pushing ahead with the prosperity and development of Chinese civilization and even embracing the world.
China features a profound and ancient culture which remains steady prominent with a long history of 5,000 years as an integral part of national cultural soft power and a source of strength for Chinese nation’s rejuvenation. And it is one of important part of the Belt and Road Initiative as well as our due obligation to carry forward and spread Chinese civilization. We need to enhance the appeal and influence of Chinese civilization and expand its transmission. We should take an scientific attitude toward traditional culture and other cultures. We also need to humbly absorb other’s fine cultures by taking the essence and discard the dross.
At the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, President Xi noted, “China will follow the principle of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative. The programs of development will be open and inclusive, not exclusive. They will be a real chorus comprising all countries along the routes, not a solo for China itself. To develop the Belt and Road is not to replace existing mechanism or initiatives for regional cooperation. Much to the country, we will build on the existing basis to help countries align their development strategies and form complementarity.” The Belt and Road is to build a garden with colourful and diversified cultures and pursue common prosperity of all countries in economy instead of the mere satisfaction of self-interests. Countries involved in the route included socialist countries and capitalist countries, western developed countries and emerging developing countries. How should we make the Belt and Road Initiative as a cornerstone of mutual learning among civilizations to further deepen cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. It is worthwhile for us to explore on this question.
A complete infrastructure network will not only help effectively reduce the cost of transactions across countries, but also promote cross-border transmission of all factors and expand trade and investment. Currently, some developing countries have encountered many impediments in economic development because of their backwardness in the fields of electricity and transportation. Some other developing countries also need to improve themselves as they are confronted with such problems as outdated management and old equipment though with a relatively complete infrastructure. Besides, there are still obstacles in cross-regional trade between between Asian and European countries who have different standards. This will result in the asymmetry of business information and wastage in resources. Therefore, all countries are called to coordinate with each other to improve infrastructure and lay a solid foundation for cultural transmission and development, thus benefiting the world.
One of important purpose of the Belt and Road Initiative is to promote economic development and maintain a stable economic growth. In pursuit of regional economic development, great efforts should be stepped up to figure out the positions of regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative according to their own economic and industrial conditions. Meanwhile, Belt and Road regions should positively respond to national policies by taking their requirements for economic development and industrial advantages into account.
It is imperative to take full advantage of cultural industry. Most regions involved in Belt and Road are rich in cultural deposits, economic resources and potential for development. Every country and region has its own typical industry. However, there are still such problems as convergence in economic resources and overcapacity in some industries that impede regional economic development to some extent. In light of current economic conditions and development, regions should delve into their own advantages, and integrate all strength industries to grow economy, and deepen cultural exchanges while promoting economic development.
Cultural industries should be perfectly positioned. In order to seize the opportunities for economic growth, local regions should make clear their own industrial positions. Beside developing cultural industries, they also need to make a comparison with other regions and figure out suitable industries so as to purse a scientific and reasonable industrial framework. To be specific, it is necessary to be fully aware of regional policies, make clear their strengths and positions as well as adapt industrial structure to the needs of economic and cultural development.
Regions are varied from each other in environment, cultural conditions and politics. Only by rolling out policies and measures in favor of their own development, they will see progress in economy and culture. Costal cities could stride forward economically through ports. In contrast, though without geographic advantages, inland cities could promote their economic development by offering relevant services to trade and exchanges along with the Belt and Road.
The “Belt and Road” Initiative underlined coordination of all countries and regions, among which it is of great importance to distribute interests. Firstly, we need to seek for a balance in interests with mutual benefits and win-win results. More help will be rendered to developing countries to strengthen communications and jointly promote economic development. Though Asian and European countries have been attempting to reduce economic fractions for many years, there are still multiple restrictions that impede economical development, including anti-dumping, market access and resistance to culture. To this end, countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative should make full use of its multiple mechanisms for dialogue to enhance mutual trust between countries. Moreover, they are also expected to deepen international economic and cultural exchanges, be further open to the outside world and promote economic development. With the progress in economy seen, cultural transmission will be carried out in a smooth manner.
Countries have various problems, including its own structure, development stage and sluggish cultural exchanges with other countries, most of which are cross-regional issues demanding close cooperation between countries. Asian and European countries are beset with a series of problems caused by multiple as though it seems to be a border issue. Only by enhancing cooperation with mutual benefits and win-win results, one could be free from inadequate impetus for development and pursue sustainable development.
“A long voyage is to be set amid strong wind and waves; a long and arduous task is to be completed with concerted efforts.” The “Belt and Road” Initiative is a new form, vision and guidance for international cooperation against the backdrop of rapid development of globalization and regional integration. In the new era, the East and the West have carried out exchanges and mutual learning under the Belt and Road Initiative. In recent years, a large number of projects, such as Silk Road International Exposition, overseas China cultural centers as well as cultural dialogues, has been put in place to promote cultural exchanges and development around the world. In the future, all countries need to seek for common development and progress through cooperation and promote economic globalization so as to build a harmonious and prosperous earth.