China's 2015 diplomacy focuses on 'Belt and Road'

(Xinhua)

Updated: 2015-03-08

China's Belt and Road initiatives not solo, but symphony: FM

BEIJING - China's Belt and Road initiatives are not its "solo," but a "symphony" of all relevant parties, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

The vision of the initiatives is common development, and the goal is win-win progress through cooperation, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

"If I may use a musical metaphor, the initiatives are not China's solo, but a symphony performed by all relevant countries," Wang said.

In advancing the initiatives, China will act according to the principle of "wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits," he said.

"We will carry out equal-footed consultation and respect the choice of other countries," Wang added.

China will be sensitive to the comfort level of other parties, ensure transparency and openness, align the initiatives with the development strategies of other parties, and create synergy with existing regional cooperation mechanisms, he said.

Wang said the initiatives should not be compared with the Marshall Plan.

"China's Belt and Road initiatives are both much older and much younger than the Marshall Plan. Comparing one to the other is like comparing apples to oranges," Wang said.

The initiatives are older because they embody the spirit of the ancient Silk Road, which had a history of more than 2,000 years.

The Silk Road was used by people of many countries for friendly exchange and commerce, and the country must renew the spirit and bring it up to date, according to the foreign minister.

The initiatives are younger because they are born in the age of globalization, he said.

"They are the product of inclusive cooperation, not a tool of geopolitics, and must not be viewed with the outdated cold war mentality," Wang said.

"Belt and Road" refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives proposed by China in 2013 for improved cooperation with countries in a vast part of Asia, Europe and Africa.

The Silk Road Economic Belt is to be established along the ancient Silk Road trade route, stretching northwest from China's coastal area through Central Asia, the Middle East and on to Europe, while the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will run through the country's south to Southeast Asia.

A $40 billion Silk Road Fund has been put into operation since February to offer investment and financing services to economies and private players along the route.

China will be sensitive to the comfort level of other parties, ensure transparency and openness, align the initiatives with the development strategies of other parties, and create synergy with existing regional cooperation mechanisms, he said.

China's Belt and Road initiatives not tool of geopolitics: FM

BEIJING - China's Belt and Road initiatives are not a tool of geopolitics and should not be viewed with the outdated cold war mentality, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

Wang made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.