Xi Jinping sends congratulations on inauguration of Belt and Road Studies Network

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a letter to congratulate the inauguration of the Belt and Road Studies Network (BRSN) on Wednesday.

Xi said the development of history, the prosperity of civilizations, and progress of humanity are closely connected with the guidance of advanced ideas.

Noting that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) originates in China, but belongs to the world, Xi said the initiative has become an open and inclusive platform for international cooperation and popular global public goods, thanks to the concerted efforts of all parties.

Xi said think tanks are an important force in the joint pursuit of the BRI, adding that exchanges and cooperation among think tanks help deepen mutual trust, build consensus, and advance the joint pursuit of the BRI towards higher levels.

Xi stressed that the establishment of the BRSN provides an important platform for think tanks of all countries to enhance exchanges of ideas and offer consulting services to policy-making.

Xi expressed the hope for the BRSN to deepen academic exchanges and produce more high-quality research results to contribute to making solid progress in the joint development of the BRI and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The BRSN, co-initiated by Xinhua Institute and 15 other think tanks, is an open mechanism of academic exchanges and cooperation, which is established to serve international think tanks, international and regional organizations and researchers of various countries, and promote the studies and academic exchanges on the BRI, according to a statement issued at the inauguration meeting on Wednesday.

Its 16 initiators formed an initiators council, and Cai Mingzhao, president of Xinhua News Agency and chairman of Xinhua Institute, serves as the chairperson of the council. Xinhua Institute, the leading initiator, also hosts the secretariat of the council.

The BRSN plans to hold an academic exchange event each year, organize seminars and field trips to Belt and Road projects, and raise money to set up a non-profit Belt and Road international research fund.

The inauguration of the BRSN will surely promote think tank studies on the Belt and Road to a higher level, and contribute more wisdom and strength to the Belt and Road construction, said the statement.

The official website, www.brsn.net, was launched at the meeting.

The BRSN will also launch its App, as well as create a BRSN journal and a BRI-related basic database.

More than 200 experts and scholars from 59 countries and two international organizations attended the inaugural meeting.