It is my honor to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and to speak with you all at today’s Think Tank Exchange Forum, to share my thoughts on the topic “Mutual Learning Among Civilizations: Collaboration Between International Think Tanks and People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges”.

In September and October of 2013, President Xi Jinping announced in Kazakhstan and Indonesia respectively the concepts of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. Our leaders have injected a new vision and vitality into these two ancient trade routes, linking China with Europe and Asia by land; and China with Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Africa by sea. These links will connect the ancient and the modern worlds by linking up Europe, Asia and Africa. Ultimately, to promote the peaceful development of mankind and shared prosperity.

Looking back to the historical origins, one can see that the Belt and Road Initiative of this day is based on the ancient Silk Road. In 139 BC, during the (Western) Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), Chinese diplomat Zhang Qian was dispatched to the West to explore the possibility of building new alliances. This trip created the Silk Road that marked the beginning of globalization between nations of the East and West.

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Through the continuous efforts of successive generations, the Chinese people have traveled far and wide to explore new business opportunities and cultivated countless friendships. The Silk Road on land and at sea has opened up the arteries between our country and others, and has become a road of commerce, economics and trade, culture, and friendship. The opening up of the Silk Road is a classic example of “serendipity”, a valuable discovery unlocked by chance.

As a think tank, the Maritime Silk Road Society has organized a number of forums and seminars over the past eight years to introduce Belt and Road countries (and other countries)

American political scientist Samuel Huntington identified seven major civilizations in his famous book The Clash of Civilizations; the Sinic (Chinese) civilization is one of them. Unlike other civilizations, such as the Western civilization that originated from Greco-Roman culture, our civilization was founded on agriculture, the patient tilling of the Earth, and has stood the test of time. It has withstood countless challenges for thousands of years, thanks to our indomitable spirit of endurance and perseverance. The Chinese civilization is characterized by its strong resilience, vitality, continuity, inclusiveness and peaceful character. This is very much different from Western countries that often try to impose their own values and systems of “democracy” and “freedom” on others, while acting differently, and seek self-aggrandizement by brute force.

Our Belt and Road Initiative does not only target commercial development. It is a much broader initiative with five “connectivities” focusing on key areas of policy coordination, infrastructure development, trade facilitation, financial integration, and people-to-people exchange. The goal is to foster peace and to build a shared future for mankind.

In September 2015, I founded the Maritime Silk Road Society. Hong Kong has always been a critical link in the Maritime Silk Road. Today, Hong Kong is a highly internationalized city with strong ties between Hong Kong people and overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. These characteristics make Hong Kong uniquely well-qualified to play a key supporting role in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and fostering peaceful coexistence and mutual development between our country and its neighbors.

As a think tank, the Maritime Silk Road Society has organized a number of forums and seminars over the past eight years to introduce Belt and Road countries (and other countries), including Iran, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Spain and others, to the people of Hong Kong. We also strive to enhance young people’s understanding of the Belt and Road Initiative under “Operation Zhang Qian”, a summer internship program offering participants the chance to work in Belt and Road countries, including Greece, Sri Lanka, and Djibouti in Africa. In addition, we have sent professionals to teach Chinese culture, dance and other activities in Greece and other countries. In future, we will continue to build relationships elsewhere with the goal of achieving mutual learning among civilizations.

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At this forum, I look forward to engaging in meaningful exchanges with think thank leaders and experts from Belt and Road countries, for a true exemplification of “mutual learning among civilizations”.

Regina Ip is convener of the Executive Council and a legislator.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.