Scholars and officials have praised the tangible benefits and advantages that the Belt and Road Initiative has brought at a think tank forum held on Wednesday in Beijing.
The scholars, including some former political leaders of BRI partner countries, made their remarks at the sub-forum on think tank exchange at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the event and delivered a speech.
He said think tanks are an indispensable and vital force in advancing the BRI, serving as bridges and links for conveying ideas, interpreting policies, and connecting with public opinion.
Today, standing at a new starting point for jointly building the BRI, it is essential to draw wisdom from the lessons of the past, demonstrate commitment in addressing current challenges, and nurture new knowledge through mutual learning and dialogue, Li said.
Jiri Paroubek, former prime minister of the Czech Republic, said the BRI brings new hope to third-world countries.
It comes with investments that build new infrastructure, create job opportunities, stimulate trade and economic growth, and enhance the living standards of people in the country, he said.
"I like the principle of the win-win approach."
As to some distorted Western descriptions of the BRI, "sometimes it is a misunderstanding, sometimes it is an intention", Paroubek said.
Yukio Hatoyama, former Japanese prime minister, expressed similar views. "One of the crucial tasks of think tanks is to disseminate this factual understanding and correct misconceptions," he said.
Considering all the challenges, including political, military, climate, economic, demographic and cultural, the global role of the BRI will strengthen, which has the potential to expedite the restoration of global peace, according to Temir Sariev, former prime minister of Kyrgyzstan.
Standing at the new starting point of the 10th anniversary, Sariev said that the BRI should evolve into a global community of security, trust and fairness, where nations can unite and embark on the quest for a new world order.
The sub-forum was attended by scholars and officials from some 40 countries and regions.
