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"Promote high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road", actively expand global partnership, strive to build an open world economy, safeguard multilateralism, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. ”
——2023 Government Work Report
Cummingley, a reporter for the Independent Press Agency of Pakistan
Q: Based on your observations, which CPEC projects have begun to bear fruit? Please give a few examples
A: Before the launch of CPEC, Pakistan was facing an energy crisis, especially a power crisis. At the time, it was normal to have a power outage of 10 to 15 hours a day. The people of Pakistan and its economy have been deeply affected. When CPEC was launched in 2015, Pakistan's power projects were a priority. As a result, a number of power or energy projects have been carried out under the framework of cooperation. Up to now, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has completed 14 energy projects, adding 10,000 megawatts of electricity to Pakistan and solving Pakistan's energy crisis.
In terms of transport infrastructure projects, up to now, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has completed six transport infrastructure projects with a total length of about 1,650 kilometers. These transportation facilities connect major regions and cities in Pakistan. Travel has become easier, faster and more frequent. The transport infrastructure network also boosts tourism in Pakistan.
Agricultural cooperation in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is also a key project. Chinese companies and agricultural experts are working with local farmers to help modernize Pakistan's agriculture and help them increase crop yields. There is also cooperation in the field of science and technology, which can improve the productivity of Pakistan's industrial sector.
Q: What role does CPEC play in the economic development of the two countries? What is the popular response?
A: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a win-win situation for China and Pakistan. Pakistanis have high expectations for CPEC as it will help revive their economy and boost investment. The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will create thousands of jobs in Pakistan.
Philip is a master's student at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs of Fudan University
Q: The government work report mentioned that China's imports and exports of goods to countries along the Belt and Road increased by an average of 13.4% per year. What have you learned about the increase in imports and exports between China and Serbia? What do you think of the role of the Belt and Road Initiative in building an open world economy?
A: China is Serbia's second largest trading partner and our second largest source of imports, generally speaking, our imports from China are greater than our exports to China, but our (Serbia's) exports to China have doubled several times in recent years. There is a very important time node, that is, Shanghai to hold the import expo, from Shanghai to the import expo, to now our exports to China has increased significantly, just like just mentioned it has doubled several times. The main exports are minerals like metals, and then there are a lot of food, and drinks, our country's red wine, and meat, these are some of the hot things that have been exported recently.
Of course, it also attracts a lot of investment, and many investors from other countries along the Belt and Road see that you have roads here. You have a new railway here, so I will come and invest in setting up a factory, thereby revitalizing the entire Serbian economy.
In terms of connectivity, in fact, the Belt and Road has given Serbia more reasons to contact countries that were very far away from us before, such as Kenya and Pakistan, as well as populous countries in Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, which we hope to deepen our foreign relations through the Belt and Road in recent years. It can be said that the Belt and Road has given developing countries more choices in this environment of unprecedented changes in a century.
Q: What ways do you think can promote people-to-people exchanges along the Belt and Road?
A: I think academic activities are actually a very important way to promote people-to-people exchanges along the Belt and Road. For example, in 2019, on behalf of the State Affairs College (Fudan University), I invited Mr. Natic, Vice Dean of the School of Political Science of the University of Belgrade, Serbia, to Fudan to participate in the Dean's Alliance Forum hosted by our institute. We invited political science from key countries along the "Belt and Road" and deans of the School of International Relations to attend the conference in Fudan to discuss the "Belt and Road".
In addition to these activities, there is our school's brand project, the Youth Global Governance Innovation Competition. In the past few years, we have invited hundreds of students from dozens of countries along the Belt and Road to participate in the competition.
We (Fudan University) have plans to invite the director of the Serbian Belt and Road Institute to Fudan for an exchange visit this year. I hope to return to China in June and the second half of the year, and then invite professors and scholars related to Fudan and cooperation with China to visit China, and then let everyone see Fudan and Shanghai, and also bring some modernization experience back to Serbia.
Ma Xingxing, assistant director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra
Q: Does the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra have performances related to the Belt and Road Initiative?
A: We are very proud to say that our Shanghai Symphony Orchestra was one of the first orchestras in China to promote the Belt and Road Initiative and has held many concerts to promote unity. Especially on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, we have held several concerts on this theme. For example, the symphonic suite "Ode to the Silk Road" is well known that the Silk Road began in Shaanxi, was the first stop of the Silk Road, and was the source of the "Belt and Road" initiative. Therefore, this work brings together elements from various countries along the "Belt and Road" to tell the story of the development of the entire Silk Road. Using music to look back on history is a great way to do it.
Q: Does the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra cooperate with musicians from Belt and Road countries?
Ten years ago, when the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed, our orchestra was already experimenting with collaborations. Because the initiative involves many countries, when you perform as usual, you will be surprised to find that the musicians are from these countries. They gathered here to compose a musical feast for the 10th anniversary of the "Belt and Road".
Q: How enthusiastic do you know young people in Armenia are about learning Chinese understanding Chinese culture?
I am glad that every time I go to Armenia, I can see the rapid changes. Many people are very knowledgeable about China, Chinese culture, digital technology, etc. Nowadays, some public schools in Armenia offer Chinese courses for children, and I really envy them. You know, in 2009, there was no such good opportunity to learn Chinese.
I think our cultures are intimately connected. Thank you to the Silk Roads, because I believe this is a time when cultures can truly come together. Even though we are geographically far apart, once you feel those beats, the music, or even you see a painting, you get this sense of déjà vu.
(Look at the news Knews reporter: Zhang Hong Editor: Wu Xutong)