The Belt and Road Initiative is a "golden key" to the Arab region, offering a new mechanism, practical cooperation and stability, according to Lu Jianzhong, chairman of Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC).
Addressing the Belt and Road conference organized by the SRCIC and the Lebanese Fransbank Group in the Lebanese capital city of Beirut on Thursday, Lu said the world today imposes a complex global landscape, and the initiative is an action of eastern wisdom as it promotes cooperation and ensures the best interests of peoples in the Belt and Road region.
The chamber was established in Hong Kong, China, to promote investment, financial and logistic development, in addition to increasing the trade exchanges among the countries along the Silk Road.
"I believe that the Belt and Road Initiative is a 'golden key' to the Arab region. Because it aims to replace conflicts with stability, recession with cooperation and barriers with connectivity. Peoples in the region will be united because of their shared vision in development," Lu said.
He pointed out that in the Belt and Road Initiative, the Arabian Peninsula stands at an anchoring and strategic point as the maritime Silk Road meets the overland Silk Road here.
Put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.
Lebanon and other Arabic countries are among the first countries that acknowledged the Belt and Road Initiative, which has helped China to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership with the Arab world. Now over 100 countries and international organizations embrace the Initiative.
China's idea of building a community of shared destiny and the Belt and Road Initiative have already been included in the resolution of United Nations Security Council, Lu said.
The Silk Road Spirit, which features peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, is acknowledged by Lebanon, the Arab world and the international business community because it promotes practical cooperation, he added.
With the integrated resources and a new mechanism, the SRCIC will join hands with the Union of Arab Chambers and the Lebanese Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and invest in projects in energy, transportation, tourism and trade, Lu said.
"Lebanon bases its development mode on finance, tourism and geographical advantages and has earned outstanding achievements that lead to wider cooperation. We want to help Lebanon and the Arab world to regain its position as the major hub, financial center and the best tourist attraction along the Silk Road," he concluded.
