Introduction to the High-Level International Forum of the ‘Silk Road Academic Belt’

The initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, which are collectively known as the 'Belt and Road', was originally proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Central Asia and Southeast Asia in September and October 2013. Essentially, the 'Belt' covers the countries lying along the ancient Silk Road and aims to bring together China, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe (the Baltic region), thereby linking China with the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea through Central Asia and West Asia and connecting China with Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean. The 'Road' is a parallel initiative that covers the area stretching from China's coast to Europe through the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean as well as the area stretching from China's coast through the South China Sea to the South Pacific. The 'Belt and Road' intends to promote cooperation in these regions by fostering policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds.