The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will be held in Beijing from May 14 to 15. On the occasion, President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony, the leaders' roundtable and deliver an important speech. Over 1200 representatives from more than 110 countries will attend the forum to discuss ways to boost cooperation, build cooperation platforms and share cooperation outcomes.

H.E. Mr. Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of the Maldives, will lead a delegation to attend BRF. Maldives is China's good friend and partner along the Belt and Road. We cordially welcome the participation by the Maldives and expect to deepen the China-Maldives Future-oriented All-round Friendly and Cooperative Partnership in the process of jointly building the Belt and Road.

The Initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road , referred to as the Belt and Road for short, was raised by President Xi Jinping in 2013, which aims to refer to the historical mark of the ancient Silk Road, hold high the banner of peaceful development, actively develop economic and cooperative partnership with the countries along the route, and work to build a community of shared interests, destiny and responsibility featuring mutual political trust, economic integration and cultural inclusiveness.

Building the Belt and Road is not an empty slogan but concrete and visible actions. China advocate countries to complement each other's advantages, narrow the gap of development among regions, and accelerate the process of regional integration to realize common development and prosperity in the relevant regions by promoting policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds.

Over the past more than 3 years, cooperation related to the Belt and Road Initiative is being pushed forward and widely welcomed by all parties. More than 100 countries and international organizations have joined this Initiative, among which more than 40 have signed cooperation agreements with China, reaching a broad international consensus on Belt and Road Initiative. Now, the construction of Belt and Road is at the critical stage of pushing forward in an all-round way.

The BRF will be the highest-level forum under the Initiative since its launching over three years ago. China's hosting the BRF is to review the past and plan for the future to achieve the following main objectives at the BRF: first, thoroughly review the progress of the Initiative, showcase important early harvest outcomes, further build consensus for cooperation and sustain the momentum of cooperation; second, discuss major cooperation measures going forward, facilitate greater synergy of development strategies, deepen partnership and work for interconnected development; third, while promoting China's economic and social development and structural adjustment, work to advance international cooperation for win-win outcomes.

Maldives is the place where the maritime silk road must pass through. China-Maldives exchanges dates back to several hundred years ago. Today, ancient ceramic and coins from China unearthed in Maldives and exhibited in the Maldives National Museum are the historic proofs of China-Maldives friendly exchanges.

Maldives actively responded the the Belt and Road Initiative after its launching. In 2014, President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to the Maldives and the two Heads of State both agreed that China and the Maldives would jointly build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

We are delighted to witness that significant achievements have been made ever since: China-Maldives Friendship Bridge and the Expansion and Upgrading Project of the Male International Airport have been kicked off to a good start and progressing well. Laamu Atoll Link Road, aided by China, has been delivered to the Maldives for use, acknowledged as the best road in the country.  Hulumale Housing Project Phase I and II, built by Chinese contractors, are welcomed by Maldivian government and people. The trade volume between China and the Maldives has been doubled. The fifth round of China- Maldives FTA negotiation has been completed and the agreement is about to be signed. China has been the largest source of tourist of the Maldives for seven consecutive years, with over 300,000 arrivals last year. China offered nearly 500 training opportunities to the Maldives. Chinese art ensembles performed in the Maldives for several times. Bright Journey Medical Team successfully visited the Maldives. Chinese language learning in the Maldives is thriving. Last year, the first Belt and Road Symposium was successfully held at the beautiful Bandos resort.

It can be said that by the efforts of both governments and peoples, the ship of China-Maldives friendship has started her sail with strengthened mutual political trust, intensified pragmatic cooperation, closer people-to-people exchanges, and coordination and cooperation in the international affairs. 

By taking the BRF as an opportunity, we look forward to strengthening coordination, connections and cooperation with the Maldivian side. Hand in hand we stand, let's work together on the building of the Belt and Road to embark on a better future.