Reposting International Online Report: "2017 China Path Europe Forum" Held; Chinese and Italian Scholars Focus on China-EU Cooperation under "Belt and Road" Initiative
International Online Report (Reporter Song Chengjie from China International Radio): On October 13, the Italy sub-forum of the "2017 China Path Europe Forum—Sino-European Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative" was held in Rome. This year's forum was co-hosted by institutions including the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Italian "Marx Twenty-First" Association of Political and Cultural Studies, and the Gramsci Foundation [1]. More than 100 experts and scholars from China and Italy attended the forum to express their views and engage in heated discussions on the topic of Sino-European cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Established in 2014, the "China Path Europe Forum" has venues in Spain, France, and Italy. This year marks the fourth session, with the theme "Sino-European Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative." The forum aims to strengthen academic exchanges between China and Europe, increase understanding of China within European society, and promote friendship and cooperation between the two sides.
As one of the forum's organizers, Deng Chundong, Director and Party Committee Secretary of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, pointed out in his speech that the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping has gained wide recognition from the international community. It has promoted infrastructure connectivity, policy coordination, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds [2] among countries along the routes. Cooperation documents signed between China and relevant countries have reached 76 major categories and 276 sub-items, with cooperation projects unfolding in full swing. However, some European countries still lack an objective, authentic, and comprehensive understanding of the BRI. The nature of the BRI is to promote better cooperation among countries along the routes while adhering to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. China's Belt and Road Initiative is neither a method for old colonialists to compete for markets, nor a remake of the Marshall Plan, and certainly not the original neoliberal globalization. Rather, it is a new type of globalization based on equal cooperation, the purpose of which is to build a community with a shared future for humanity. He expressed hope for more exchange with the Italian side to promote cooperation between the two countries.
Silvio Pons, President of the Gramsci Foundation and Professor of History at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, argued that the BRI is a pioneering undertaking in today's world, possessing ambitious goals and a vast geographical scope. It is beneficial not only for economic and trade cooperation but also for promoting exchanges in culture and other fields. Italy and China should carry out multi-field and all-round cooperation along this path.
Zheng Xuan, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, expressed her agreement. In her speech, she stated that "the Belt and Road" and Sino-Italian cooperation are both the theme of this forum and hot-button issues of wide concern across all sectors of Italian society. Since 2013, the BRI has gradually transformed from a concept into action and from a vision into reality. Although the BRI originated in China, it benefits the world; it has become an important pathway for strengthening international cooperation and has provided new opportunities for enhancing the well-being of people in all countries. Italy was the terminus of the ancient Silk Road and is an important hub for the "Belt and Road." It possesses its own advantages and specialties in many fields, and there are many points of convergence for the future development of the two countries. The Chinese side is willing to work hand-in-hand with the Italian side to seize opportunities and ensure that Sino-Italian relations progress steadily and reach far [3].
Addressing the skepticism toward the BRI, Professor Parranti of the Medici Institute in Italy pointed out that, first, the BRI is a peaceful global cooperation program without any expansionist intentions—this is an undeniable fact. Second, the BRI contains very concrete and pragmatic content rather than vague generalities; it is evident that many related cooperation projects have been smoothly launched, bringing tangible benefits to participating countries along the routes.
The Italy sub-forum of the "2017 China Path Europe Forum" has been held for four consecutive years. Experts and scholars from China brought a wealth of authentic and valuable information to their Italian counterparts, receiving a warm welcome. As the coordinator of the event, Francesco Maringio, a member of the Central Committee of the Italian Communist Party, expressed deep emotion. He stated that the event was very successful in terms of both participants and research content. China's proposals focus more on inclusive development and equal cooperation between nations—content rarely seen in local Italian newspapers. Therefore, the "China Path Europe Forum" provides a very rare opportunity to truly understand China.