Int’l experts at Shanghai forum urge stronger green, digital cooperation

Top government officials, international experts and scholars gathered in Shanghai on Friday and Saturday for the ninth International Academic Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative and Global Governance, calling for stronger green and digital cooperation.

The two-day forum, co-hosted by Fudan University and the Silk Road Think Tank Association, focused on the challenges and progress of China's flagship development initiative.

Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including green development, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and global governance. The program also featured an entrepreneurs' session and roundtable discussions on Global South cooperation and international law.

Erik Solheim, former executive director of the U.N. Environment Programme and former U.N. undersecretary-general, called for greater efforts to support developing economies in both green and digital transitions.

"We need more green investment in railroads, and in solar and wind and hydropower. We need more of the same, and we also need a shift -- and that's the shift to the digital economy. Most developing nations are very poor in artificial intelligence. China can help them build their digital infrastructure, but also the software for this, the understanding, the competence of the digital economy. China is now totally dominant in green economics; 60 percent of everything green is happening in China. Then you also need to see their digital economy, and they want to see what President Xi calls 'small and beautiful' projects, like cultural heritage, health, education, sports -- all these," he said.

Liu Zhiqin, a senior fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, emphasized the need to maintain momentum and trust among Belt and Road partners.

"Over the next decade, it will be crucial to deepen mutual trust and keep the Belt and Road Initiative 'fresh' and appealing, as it is significant to keep the BRI appealing, dynamic, and full of expectations. Second, we must ensure that the BRI genuinely delivers tangible benefits to member countries and their people," he said.

Int’l experts at Shanghai forum urge stronger green, digital cooperation

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Denmark in emerging areas such as the green economy, innovation and artificial intelligence, while deepening people-to-people exchanges to enhance friendship between the two peoples, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Danish King Frederik X in Copenhagen.

Wang said the Danish royal family has maintained friendly exchanges with China for many years. During her reign, Queen Margrethe II made two state visits to China. She was also the first incumbent foreign head of state to visit the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, demonstrating respect for history and a steadfast commitment to justice, said Wang.

King Frederik X said Denmark and China enjoy a long history of exchanges, and that the two peoples share a longstanding friendship. Bilateral relations are currently maintaining sound momentum, with active economic and trade cooperation and close people-to-people exchanges.

He said that the Danish royal family and he himself stand ready to play an active role in carrying forward the traditional friendship between the two countries and promoting the further development of bilateral relations.

China to strengthen green economy, AI cooperation with Denmark: Chinese FM