Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed to build a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road in September and October 2013, respectively, which are now referred to as the Belt and Road Initiative. The initiative attracted considerable attention from the international community and won a positive response from the countries involved. It integrates the historical symbolism of ancient silk routes with the new requirements of today. The initiative is a Chinese program whose goal is to maintain an open world economic system, and achieve diversified, independent, balanced and sustainable development, and also a Chinese proposal intended to advance regional cooperation, strengthen communications between civilizations, and safeguard world peace and stability. It showcases the fact that China, as the largest developing country and the world’s second largest economy, shoulders its wider responsibilities in promoting international economic governance toward a fair, just and rational system.

On the eve of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, China, as the initiator, published Building the Belt and Road: Concept, Practice and China’s Contribution, hoping to increase understanding of the initiative in the international community, present its fruits, and promote strategic mutual trust, dialogue and cooperation among countries. China will make new, greater contribution to build a community of common destiny for mankind.