China Economic Net, Beijing, March 11 (Reporter Yuan Zhili and Lin Xiumin) “One Belt, One Road” has become a hot topic at the 2016 National Two Sessions. On March 11, Pan Qinglin, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and member of the Standing Committee of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and Lin Xiaochang, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and member of the Standing Committee of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, were guests of China Economic Network's "Focus on the Two Sessions in 2016 - China Economic Online Interview Special Program". When discussing the new opportunities brought by the “One Belt and One Road” initiative, the two committee members said that the “One Belt and One Road” initiative is a win-win strategy for China and the world. >>Click here to enter the interview topic

Pan Qinglin (second from left), member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and member of the Standing Committee of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and Lin Xiaochang (first from the right), member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and member of the Standing Committee of the All-China Federation of Overseas Chinese (first from the right), were guests of China Economic Online’s special program of the 2016 National Two Sessions. Photo by Zhang Xiangcheng/China Economic Net reporter

Pan Qinglin said that the "Belt and Road" strategy is not only a strategy for the Chinese people, but also affects all countries in the world. It is a common opportunity for all mankind. Lin Xiaochang agreed with this. He said that "One Belt, One Road" is the only way for China's foreign trade and reform and opening up. "One Belt, One Road" is a win-win situation not only for China, but also for the world, because the world is a community with a shared future.

The stability of the country and the happiness of the people are the biggest dividends today.

"What is a bonus? A salary increase is not a bonus, a better life and finding a job is not a bonus, and going to college is not a bonus. The real bonus is that in such a turbulent world today, China is stable and the Chinese people live a comfortable life." Pan Qinglin said.

Speaking of the "Belt and Road" strategy, Pan Qinglin pointed out that our country has been committed to maintaining world peace and assisting poor countries since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. "When we were in difficulties, the country also lived frugally, and the people tightened their belts to assist Africa. Today we are rich, and we should increase foreign aid." He believes that this is the origin of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative.

Overseas Chinese are civilian diplomats in the construction of "One Belt, One Road"

Lin Xiaochang said that overseas Chinese need to play a matchmaking role in the construction of the "Belt and Road" and should give full play to the role of "civilian diplomats". There are more than 40 million overseas Chinese in the countries along the “Belt and Road”. They have strong economic strength, extensive personal connections, rich production and marketing experience, and cultural advantages in integrating Chinese and foreign countries. Therefore, they can play a unique and important role in participating in promoting the construction of the “Belt and Road”.

Statistics from the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council show that there are currently more than 40 million overseas Chinese in 66 countries along the Belt and Road. So, how to mobilize the enthusiasm of overseas Chinese in the countries along the “Belt and Road” so that they can better participate in the construction of the “Belt and Road”? In this regard, Lin Xiaochang said that the "Belt and Road" is not only a road for China, but also a road for common friendship and cooperation between China and neighboring countries. If the “One Belt, One Road” initiative wants to truly penetrate into the countries along the route, overseas Chinese must give full play to their role as civilian diplomats and “tell China’s story well and convey China’s voice well.”

The confusion of overseas Chinese who "cannot enter the homeland after arriving in the motherland" should be solved

Pan Qinglin said that over the years of reform and opening up, many overseas Chinese have "went out" to integrate into local life overseas, marry foreigners of the opposite sex, and some have also become nationals of other countries. Nowadays, they want to return to the motherland to invest, or bring investors back to the country to invest, or even bring their children back to the motherland to learn Chinese. Due to their foreign nationality and identity, they have the confusion of "not being able to enter the homeland when they arrive in the motherland."

Pan Qinglin believes that in the construction of the "Belt and Road", the more than 40 million overseas Chinese living in the countries along the "Belt and Road" can play the role of private diplomats, deepen mutual understanding between China and these countries, and provide a useful supplement to official diplomacy.

In addition, Pan Qinglin, an overseas Chinese returned from Japan, has deep feelings about the people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan. Pan Qinglin said that people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan are very important, as they promote mutual understanding and social civilization between the two peoples. Nowadays, no one will smash Japanese cars, but they will flock to Japan to travel and shop. Three years ago, there were only 370,000 Chinese tourists visiting Japan. Two years ago, this number increased to 1.5 million, and in 2015, it exceeded 5.8 million. Not only that, Chinese tourists rarely see uncivilized behavior abroad.

"One Belt and One Road" will bring real income to the people

Lin Xiaochang said that the “One Belt and One Road” initiative has brought many tangible benefits to the Chinese people. With the continuous advancement of the “One Belt and One Road” strategy, it will promote the continuous development of China’s economy, thereby driving the growth of GDP and in turn increasing the income of ordinary people.

Lin Xiaochang said that China has a large area of ​​land, and the agricultural and sideline products produced can be exported directly, or they can be produced and processed before going out. Ordinary people should change their minds and understand that it is better to invest first in poverty alleviation, seize business opportunities, and produce products that meet the needs of the world, especially countries along the “Belt and Road”, and ultimately achieve poverty alleviation and prosperity through the continuous development of foreign trade.

Lin Xiaochang said that leading cadres should vigorously promote China's "One Belt, One Road" strategy so that ordinary people can truly understand the significance and prospects of the "One Belt, One Road" and truly participate in the construction of the "One Belt, One Road", thereby promoting its continuous development and progress.