On April 18, 2017, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing for Chinese and foreign media. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission Wang Xiaotao briefed on relevant situation of related events of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) and took questions from journalists.
Wang Yi said that the BRF will be held in Beijing from May 14 to 15. President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and chair the leaders' roundtable. At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, 28 heads of state and government have confirmed to attend the forum so far, President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev also confirmed his participation.
At present, besides 28 heads of state and government confirming to attend the forum, there are officials, scholars, entrepreneurs and people from financial institutions and media from 110 countries, and 89 principals and representatives from 61 international organizations also affirming their attendance. Among them, UN Secretary General António Guterres, President of the World Bank Jim Yong Kim and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde will attend the roundtable summit at invitation. Over 1200 representatives will attend the forum.
Wang Yi pointed out that this forum has been the highest level of international conference held by China since under the major initiative of the "Belt and Road" put forward by President Xi Jinping in 2013, gaining wide support from the international community. The theme of the forum is "Strengthening International Cooperation and Co-building the 'Belt and Road' for Win-win Development".
Wang Yi pointed out that at present, the foundation for global economic recovery is not solid, trade investment remains weak, and growth impetus is also unstable. There is an urgent need of upgrading fundamental infrastructure construction and connectivity among every country and every sub-region.
Wang Yi stressed that China hopes to take this forum as an opportunity to create a more open and more efficient platform for international cooperation.
