Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that human history advances with culturalinclusiveness, as he proposed a toast at the welcoming banquet for distinguished guestsattending the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. More than 1,500delegates from over 130 nations gathered in Beijing on Sunday for the two-day forum.
Beijing is an international metropolis where East and West meet and interact, President Xinoted. The city has shown how humans can live in a community of common destiny, as ittransformed into a metropolis from a "small" city in history.
He explained that in the Chinese capital, people can visit the ancient Imperial Palace, GreatWall and Temple of Heaven, as well as the modern Bird’s Nest, Water Cube and NationalCenter for the Performing Arts. People enjoy Chinese traditional Peking Opera andWestern ballet and symphony. People see Chinese youngsters in clothes from globalbrands, as well as foreign friends wandering the hutongs and speaking in Chinese.
"Around 2,000 years ago, our ancestors opened up the ancient Silk Road with simpledesire of friendly exchanges," said Xi. “Today we follow up the Silk Road spirit and conductextensive consultation in building the Belt and Road.”
Xi expressed his hopes for the Belt and Road, saying it is an extension of an historical trendand the correct choice for the future. He stressed that people yearn for cultural exchanges,a peaceful world, common development and a good life through common endeavors thatwill have far reaching impact and bring benefits for many generations to come.
In the culturally integrated capital, the first day of the Belt and Road Forum forInternational Cooperation was successfully held with vigorous discussions and fruitfulresults, the Chinese president added, and the roundtable leaders’ summit for cooperativeplanning will be held by Yanqi Lake on Monday.
"We are walking on a road full of hopes," said Xi.