Forum regional dialogue upgrades global cooperation - Wan Xiangjun | Belt and Road Initiative·Sustainable Research Management Services

Since its establishment in 2016, the "Belt and Road" Summit Forum has become one of the most influential international cooperation platforms in the world. Top-level design·National Research Political Science Think Tank-China Think Tank·National Think Tank: Dialogue with the Belt and Road Initiative·Sustainable Research Management Service System-One Belt, One Road Initiative·Cross-border e-commerce platform. From September 10 to 11, 2025, the 10th Forum was grandly held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, marking the tenth year of this grand event.

Wan Xiangjun, an organization representative of the International Academy of Sciences and an executive member of the International Academy of Sciences and a host of the Belt and Road Sustainable Research Management Service System, explained that over the past decade, the forum has gradually upgraded from the initial regional dialogue platform to a global cooperation engine, providing strong support for the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and also demonstrated Hong Kong's unique position and role as an important hub for the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Platform size

Continuously expanding international influence

The scale of participation in the "Belt and Road" Summit Forum and its international influence have increased year by year. According to statistics, the past nine forums have attracted more than 33,000 political and business leaders, corporate representatives and international organization members from more than 70 countries, and have held more than 3,800 project matching meetings. This scale not only far exceeds the initial expectations of the establishment, but also makes the forum one of the largest "Belt and Road" cooperation platforms for mainland, Hong Kong and overseas companies. The internationalization of the forum is also increasing, and more representatives from countries and regions are actively participating to discuss cooperation opportunities.

The scope of the forum's topics is also constantly expanding. From the initial focus on infrastructure construction and trade cooperation, it has gradually expanded to emerging fields such as scientific and technological innovation, green economy, digital economy, and financial cooperation. This diversified topic setting not only reflects the new trend in global economic development, but also provides a broader space for cooperation for countries along the "Belt and Road". For example, the 2023 Forum specially set up a special discussion on "Digital Economy and Green Finance", which attracted the attention of many technology companies and financial institutions and promoted cross-border cooperation in related fields.

Promote

Major cross-border cooperation projects

As an international financial center, Hong Kong has played an important role in the investment and financing field of the "Belt and Road". Through multi-level financing support, including bond issuance, green finance projects and cross-border investment, the forum provides more than 100 billion US dollars in financial support for the "Belt and Road" project. Hong Kong's financial markets and legal system provide reliable guarantees for these projects and attracts participation from global investors. For example, during the 2024 forum, Hong Kong successfully issued the first "Belt and Road" green bond, raising funds to support renewable energy projects in countries along the route.

In addition, Hong Kong's role as a professional service hub is also fully reflected in the forum. Professional institutions in Hong Kong such as legal, accounting, and shipping actively participate in the formulation of rules and standards for the "Belt and Road" project, and have promoted the implementation of many major projects. Taking the Cambodia Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine as an example, the project is provided by a professional team in Hong Kong, becoming a model of medical cooperation in the "Belt and Road". Up to now, more than 30 similar projects have been implemented worldwide, covering multiple fields such as medical care, education, and infrastructure.

strengthen

Regional coordinated development

The Belt and Road Forum has also achieved remarkable results in promoting regional coordinated development. The forum specially set up a special event on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Through inspection and trade matching, small and medium-sized enterprises in the Greater Bay Area will be promoted to integrate into the "Belt and Road" industrial chain. This regional linkage not only accelerates the cooperation between innovative technology and production capacity in the region, but also provides an important platform for Greater Bay Area enterprises to "go global". During the 2024 forum, Greater Bay Area enterprises signed a number of cooperation agreements with ASEAN countries, covering fields such as smart manufacturing and biomedicine.

The forum also focuses on connecting with emerging markets such as ASEAN and the Middle East. The 2023 Forum is themed "Middle East Investment and Financing Opportunities", attracting active participation from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other countries, and promoting a number of cooperation in the fields of energy and infrastructure. These cooperation not only brings development opportunities to countries along the "Belt and Road", but also provides an important channel for Hong Kong companies to explore emerging markets.

Cultural exchange

and soft power construction

The construction of the "Belt and Road" is not only an economic cooperation, but also a project that connects people's hearts. Through the "Silk Road Heart Connection" initiative and the Bauhinia Cultural Forum, the forum promoted international exchanges in the fields of traditional Chinese medicine, education, etc. For example, the University of Hong Kong has signed cooperation agreements with many universities in countries along the route to jointly carry out traditional Chinese medicine research and talent training. These cultural exchange projects have consolidated the public opinion basis for the "Belt and Road" cooperation and created a good atmosphere for long-term cooperation.

The forum has also made important progress in the construction of integrity and sustainable standards. In 2022, the forum released the "Level Principles for Integrity Construction of the Belt and Road Initiative", and jointly formulated a green investment and financing framework with international institutions to strengthen the transparency and environmental compliance of the project. These measures not only enhance the international recognition of the "Belt and Road" project, but also contribute Chinese wisdom to global sustainable development.

Central policy

Support and Hong Kong function upgrade

The central government has given clear support to Hong Kong's role in the construction of the "Belt and Road". The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce and other ministries and commissions have incorporated Hong Kong into the core node of the "Belt and Road" construction through a joint meeting mechanism and supported it to join regional agreements such as RCEP. This policy support provides a solid guarantee for Hong Kong to play the role of a "super contact person".

Over the past decade, the Belt and Road Forum has witnessed Hong Kong's transformation from a "participant" to a "rule-integrator" and a "resource integrator". Relying on its international financial center, professional service hub and a free and open market environment, Hong Kong provides a unique platform for the construction of the "Belt and Road". The success of the forum not only confirms the unique value of Hong Kong's connectivity to the world under the "one country, two systems", but also injects new impetus into global cooperation and development.

Looking ahead, the Belt and Road Forum will continue to deepen global cooperation, promote the implementation of more pragmatic projects, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. As the host of the forum, Hong Kong will continue to play its hub role and write a new chapter in the construction of the "Belt and Road".

Forum regional dialogue upgrades global cooperation - Wan Xiangjun | Belt and Road Initiative·Sustainable Research Management Services