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

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has described his visit to China as highly significant and productive, with the two sides holding in-depth talks on bilateral relations and all the pressing issues Iran currently faces.

Araghchi, who visited China on Wednesday and held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said in an interview with Iranian state-run IRIB news agency that post-war Iran is entering a new phase of international cooperation.

"Our Chinese friends also believe that Iran after the war is different from Iran before the war, that it has proven its capabilities and strength. Therefore, a new phase of cooperation between Iran and other countries lies ahead," he said.

The foreign minister said the two sides reviewed a full range of current issues and yielded fruitful results.

"We reviewed all the current issues, matters related to the war and how to end it, the negotiations currently under way, issues related to Iran's nuclear program and the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities, matters related to sanctions, and all bilateral issues. The issue of the Strait of Hormuz, which was one of our serious topics, and the necessity of respecting the rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with all existing viewpoints, were also discussed," he said.

Iranian foreign minister hails fruitful China visit, says all pressing issues discussed

Iranian foreign minister hails fruitful China visit, says all pressing issues discussed