BRI Forum Special: Xi's New Commitments & Round-up of Diplomacy
Hi folks,
Today’s paper is basically all about the BRI Forum, and Xi Jinping’s meetings with visiting world leaders. Before I get to that, let me start with Xi Jinping’s speech at the forum today. The full English version is available, and I am going to go with that. Some of the big announcements from the speech are:
China will build a new logistics corridor across the Eurasian continent
China will remove all restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector
CDB and EXIM Bank of China will each set up a RMB 350 billion financing window for “small yet smart” projects. additional RMB 80 billion will be injected into the Silk Road Fund
China will carry out 1,000 small-scale livelihood assistance projects
On green development, China will provide 100,000 training opportunities for partner countries by 2030.
China will hold the first Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange and increase the number of joint laboratories built with other parties to 100 in the next five years.
China will put forward the Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance.
A Belt and Road Forum Secretariat will be established.
Anyway, the first part of the speech has Xi basically referencing BRI’s successes over the past decade. Then he talked about the learnings from the decade of BRI:
We have learned that humankind is a community with a shared future. China can only do well when the world is doing well. When China does well, the world will get even better. Through Belt and Road cooperation, China is opening its door even wider to the world, with its inland regions turning from “fullbacks” into “forwards,” and coastal regions scaling new heights in their opening-up. China’s market has become even more closely integrated with the global market. China has become a main trading partner of more than 140 countries and territories and a primary source of investment for more countries. Both Chinese investment overseas and foreign investment in China have boosted friendship, cooperation, confidence and hope.
We have learned that win-win cooperation is the sure way to success in launching major initiatives that benefit all. When countries embrace cooperation and act in concert, a deep chasm can be turned into a thoroughfare, land-locked countries can become land-linked, and a place of underdevelopment can be transformed into a land of prosperity. Countries taking the lead in economic development should give a hand to their partners who are yet to catch up. We should all treat each other as friends and partners, respect and support each other, and help each other succeed. As the saying goes, when you give roses to others, their fragrance lingers on your hand. In other words, helping others is also helping oneself. Viewing others’ development as a threat or taking economic interdependence as a risk will not make one’s own life better or speed up one’s development.
We have learned that the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit is the most important source of strength for Belt and Road cooperation. I once said that the pioneers of the ancient silk routes won their place in history not as conquerors with warships, guns, horses or swords. Rather, they are remembered as friendly emissaries leading camel caravans and sailing ships loaded with goods. Belt and Road cooperation is based on the belief that flame runs high when everyone adds wood to the fire and that mutual support can get us far. Such cooperation seeks to deliver a good life not only to people of just one country, but to people in other countries as well. It promotes connectivity, mutual benefit, common development, cooperation and win-win outcomes. Ideological confrontation, geopolitical rivalry and bloc politics are not a choice for us. What we stand against are unilateral sanctions, economic coercion and decoupling and supply chain disruption.
He then announced 8 steps to further build BRI:
China will speed up high-quality development of the China-Europe Railway Express, participate in the trans-Caspian international transportation corridor, host the China-Europe Railway Express Cooperation Forum, and make joint efforts to build a new logistics corridor across the Eurasian continent linked by direct railway and road transportation. We will vigorously integrate ports, shipping and trading services under the “Maritime Silk Road,” and accelerate the building of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the Air Silk Road.
China will establish pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation, enter into free trade agreements and investment protection treaties with more countries. We will remove all restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector. In light of international high-standard economic and trade rules, we will further advance high-standard opening up in cross-border service trade and investment, expand market access for digital and other products, and deepen reform in areas including the state-owned enterprises, digital economy, intellectual property and government procurement. China will hold the Global Digital Trade Expo annually. In the next five years (2024-2028), China’s total trade in goods and services is expected to exceed USD 32 trillion and USD 5 trillion respectively.
China will promote both signature projects and “small yet smart” livelihood programs. The China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China will each set up a RMB 350 billion financing window. An additional RMB 80 billion will be injected into the Silk Road Fund. Together, they will support BRI projects on the basis of market and business operation. Cooperation agreements worth USD 97.2 billion have been concluded at the CEO Conference held during this Forum. China will carry out 1,000 small-scale livelihood assistance projects, and enhance vocational education cooperation through Luban Workshops and other initiatives. We will also step up joint efforts to ensure the safety of BRI projects and personnel.
China will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as green infrastructure, green energy and green transportation, and step up support for the BRI International Green Development Coalition. China will continue to hold the BRI Green Innovation Conference, and establish dialogue and exchange mechanisms for the solar industry and a network of experts on green and low-carbon development. China will implement the Green Investment Principles for the Belt and Road, and provide 100,000 training opportunities for partner countries by 2030.
China will continue to implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, hold the first Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange, increase the number of joint laboratories built with other parties to 100 in the next five years, and support young scientists from other countries to work on short-term programs in China. At this Forum, China will put forward the Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance. We stand ready to increase exchanges and dialogue with other countries and jointly promote the sound, orderly and secure AI development in the world.
China will host the Liangzhu Forum to enhance dialogue on civilizations with BRI partner countries. In addition to the Silk Road International League of Theaters, the Silk Road International Arts Festival, the International Alliance of Museums of the Silk Road, the Silk Road International Alliance of Art Museums, and the Silk Road International Library Alliance that have been set up, China has also launched the International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities. And we will continue with the Chinese government scholarship Silk Road Program.
Together with its cooperation partners, China will release the Achievements and Prospects of Belt and Road Integrity Building and the High-Level Principles on Belt and Road Integrity Building, and establish the Integrity and Compliance Evaluation System for Companies Involved in Belt and Road Cooperation. We will also work with international organizations to carry out research and training on promoting integrity in Belt and Road cooperation.
China will work with its BRI partner countries to strengthen the building of multilateral cooperation platforms covering energy, taxation, finance, green development, disaster reduction, anti-corruption, think tank, media, culture and other fields. China will continue to host the BRF and establish a secretariat for the Forum.
Moving to bilateral meetings, today, Xi Jinping met with Vladimir Putin today. But the readout is still not out. Anyway, I have covered below all the other bilateral meetings he had yesterday, along with three joint statements that were issued with Ethiopia, Chile and PNG. All of this was covered in PD today.
First, Xinhua’s report on Xi’s meeting with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape says:
“China applauds Papua New Guinea for adhering to the one-China principle and giving firm support to China on issues concerning China’s core interests and major concerns, Xi said, adding that China will also firmly support Papua New Guinea in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests. Xi said Papua New Guinea has played a leading and exemplary role in the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Pacific island countries, and China is willing to continue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Papua New Guinea. China is willing to share development opportunities brought by Chinese modernization and help Papua New Guinea pursue industrialization and modernization, said Xi. Xi noted that China's assistance to Pacific island countries is candid, sincere and selfless. It does not attach political conditions or seek exclusive rights in conducting such assistance. China does not make empty promises and fully respects the willingness and the practical needs of Pacific island countries, he added. China will continue to deepen its cooperation with Pacific island countries to boost their long-term economic and social development, Xi said. The Chinese president added that China supports Papua New Guinea in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.”
“Marape said China's selfless assistance has brought enormous benefits to the people of Papua New Guinea. He noted that Papua New Guinea firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and believes that China's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. The prime minister said strengthening cooperation with China is of great significance not only to Papua New Guinea but also to the world. The two countries will continue to firmly support each other, deepen and strengthen cooperation in various fields within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation between countries in the South Pacific region and China.”
A joint statement between China and Papua New Guinea was issued. The English version of this statement is available. Some key excerpts:
“The two sides reiterated their respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, their support for the two peoples' independent choice of development path pursuant to respective national conditions, and their staunch support for each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. Papua New Guinea reaffirms its longstanding traditional commitment to the one-China policy, and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, that it opposes ‘Taiwan independence’, and that it supports all efforts made by the Government of the People's Republic of China to realize reunification. Papua New Guinea considers matters related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Xizang as China’s internal affairs and within its ‘friends to all, enemies to none’ foreign policy reaffirms the principle of non-interference into another sovereign state's internal affairs. China reiterates its staunch support for Papua New Guinea in independently choosing a development pathway and in upholding its sovereignty, security and development interests.”
Papua New Guinea welcomes and supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to work with China in building a community with a shared future for mankind. China acknowledges Papua New Guinea's involvement at the UN, APEC, and other multilateral, international and regional organisations.
The two countries agree that all countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal. It is important to uphold true multilateralism, defend the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, advocate humanity's common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, firmly stand against any acts of putting together ‘small circles’, dividing countries into camps, and stirring up division and confrontation.
In terms of tangible outcomes:
Expand practical cooperation in a wide range of areas including trade and investment, banking and finance, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, infrastructure, energy and minerals, green development, marine resource management, conservation and research. Both countries agree to further accelerate the China-PNG Free Trade Agreement process, and work together to complete Joint Feasibility Study with the aim to commence negotiation within one year. The two sides agree to open direct flight between Guangzhou and Port Moresby at an early date.
Enhance people-to-people exchanges to forge closer bonds between the peoples. Expand exchanges and cooperation in areas such as education, culture, youth, health, sports, tourism and media. China will continue to provide various kinds of scholarships and training opportunities and send medical teams and Chinese language teachers to Papua New Guinea.
Work together in building multilateral cooperation frameworks on emergency supplies, climate response, poverty alleviation, Juncao technology, agriculture, etc., to take the cooperation between China and Pacific Island Countries as a whole to a new level.
Second, Xinhua’s report on Xi’s meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo says:
Xi “hailed cooperation between the two countries as an important example for international cooperation in building the Belt and Road.”
“Xi said China is willing to continue to make good use of the existing mechanism with Indonesia and deepen all-round strategic cooperation, enhance mutual support on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns and progress together on the path toward modernization in keeping with the two countries' respective realities. Noting that the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway is a ‘golden brand’ for the Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries, Xi said China is willing to work with Indonesia to sum up successful experience, make sound efforts in its high-quality operation and foster an economic belt along the railway. He called on the two sides to deepen the integration of industrial and supply chains and jointly promote the building of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor and "Two Countries, Twin Parks." He also said China supports relevant localities and enterprises to take part in major development projects in Indonesia. Xi said China is willing to increase imports of quality agricultural and aquatic products from Indonesia and enhance cooperation in emerging industries such as digital economy, photovoltaic and new-energy vehicles, adding that the country will also actively carry out exchanges and cooperation with Indonesia in sectors such as food and agriculture technologies, poverty alleviation and poverty reduction, health and medicine, education, culture, tourism and youth exchanges. The two sides should work closely to uphold ASEAN centrality, promote open regionalism and safeguard international fairness and justice, Xi said.”
As per the Chinese language report, the Indonesian leader said that he “fully agreed” with Xi’s views on the bilateral relationship, and “regards China as a strategic partner for its national economic development and construction.”我完全赞同习近平主席对于发展两国关系的看法意见。印尼将中国作为国家经济发展建设的重要战略伙伴... The report adds that Joko Widodo expressed hope to “expand agricultural exports to China, strengthen cooperation in electric vehicles, finance, energy security, and other areas. Indonesia appreciates President Xi Jinping’s series of important initiatives and is willing to better align the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific with the Belt and Road initiative to support regional development and the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.” 希望进一步扩大对华农产品出口，加强电动汽车、金融、能源安全等领域合作。印尼赞赏习近平主席提出的系列重要倡议，愿将东盟印太展望同“一带一路”倡议更好对接，助力实现地区共同发展和联合国2030年可持续发展议程.
They signed deals on BRI, the implementation of GDI, rural development and poverty reduction, sustainable development and inspection and quarantine.
Third, Xinhua’s report (English report) on Xi’s meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev says:
“Xi Jinping pointed out that a healthy, stable and dynamic China-Kazakhstan relationship is conducive to the development and revitalization of both countries, and is also conducive to regional peace and stability. China supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. No matter how the international situation changes, China and Kazakhstan should pass on the concept of good-neighborliness and friendship from generation to generation, and promote further development of China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.” 习近平指出，一个健康、稳定、充满活力的中哈关系，有利于两国发展振兴，也有利于地区和平稳定。中方支持哈方维护独立、主权、领土完整。无论国际形势如何变化，中哈双方都要坚持初心，守望相助，让睦邻友好的理念世代相传，不断推动两国永久全面战略伙伴关系向前发展.
Xi said that “China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to continuously improve the level of trade and investment facilitation and implement key production capacity investment cooperation projects. China is also interested in expanding imports of high-quality and green agricultural products from Kazakhstan, expanding green energy cooperation, improving connectivity, increasing the scale of railway freight between the two countries, and utilizing the trans-Caspian international transportation route to enhance the capacity, scale, and efficiency of the China-Europe railway. The two sides should tap the potential, create new growth points for cooperation, strengthen the strategic alignment between the construction of the Digital Silk Road and the Digital Kazakhstan, and promote exchanges in digital technologies such as cross-border e-commerce, artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain. The China-Kazakhstan mutual visa exemption agreement is about to take effect, and the Kazakhstan Tourism Year will be held in China next year. The two sides should strengthen cultural exchanges and local cooperation, promote the construction of Luban Workshop, and solidify the foundation of public opinion.”
“China firmly opposes external forces interfering in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries, and is willing to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with Kazakhstan to promote China-Central Asia cooperation to become deeper and more solid. China supports Kazakhstan in its role as the rotating chairman of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization taking the organisation’s cooperation to a new level.”
中方愿同哈方不断提升贸易和投资便利化水平，落实好产能投资合作重点项目。中方愿扩大进口哈萨克斯坦优质绿色农产品，拓展绿色能源合作，加强互联互通，扩大两国铁路货运规模，加大利用跨里海国际运输路线，提升中欧班列运力、规模和效率。双方要挖掘潜力，打造新的合作增长点，加强“数字丝绸之路”建设同“数字哈萨克斯坦”战略对接，推动跨境电商、人工智能、大数据、区块链等数字技术交流。中哈互免签证协定即将生效，明年将在中国举办哈萨克斯坦旅游年，双方要加强人文交流和地方合作，推进鲁班工坊建设，厚植社会民意基础。中方坚决反对外部势力干涉中亚国家内政，愿同哈方继续加强沟通协作，推动中国－中亚合作走深走实，支持哈萨克斯坦做好上海合作组织轮值主席国工作，推动本组织合作迈上新台阶.
Tokayev said that “over the past decade, China has become a leading country in the world, and the Belt and Road cooperation has yielded remarkable achievements.” “Noting that China is Kazakhstan's forever trustworthy friend and partner, Tokayev said Kazakhstan speaks highly of China's just position and positive role in international affairs, including its efforts to promote the settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and is willing to strengthen multilateral communication and coordination with China. The two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral documents on cooperation in areas including connectivity and economic development.”
Fourth, the report on Xi’s meeting (English report) with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed informs that the two sides have upgraded ties to an “all-weather strategic partnership”. Xi said that the two sides should take this “as an opportunity to advance common development and win-win cooperation, promote South-South solidarity and cooperation, and safeguard international equity and justice. Calling Ethiopia a key participant of the Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said the cooperation between the two countries over the past decade has been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation in terms of cooperation fields and results. Xi stressed that China supports Ethiopia in safeguarding its own sovereignty, security and development interests. The two sides should continue to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. China is willing to support and participate in Ethiopia's post-war reconstruction and economic revitalization, and implement the Global Development Initiative to help Ethiopia achieve development, said Xi.
Abiy Ahmed said that “Ethiopia highly appreciates and actively supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi, and is willing to work closely with China to promote the implementation of the initiatives”.
The two sides issued a joint statement, which is available in PD. Below are key excerpts from it:
The Ethiopian government reaffirms its adherence to the One-China principle, acknowledges that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the entire China, and supports all efforts made by the Chinese side to achieve national reunification. 埃塞俄比亚政府重申坚持一个中国原则，承认中华人民共和国政府是代表全中国的唯一合法政府，支持中方为实现国家统一所作的一切努力。
Both sides will deepen practical cooperation in various fields under the framework of the Global Development Initiative.
The Ethiopian side appreciates and supports President Xi Jinping's GSI proposal. Both sides commend each other for their positive contributions to maintaining regional and global peace and stability. They unanimously agree that all countries should adhere to the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, adhere to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, adhere to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, adhere to paying attention to the legitimate security concerns of all countries, and uphold security in all domains. Both sides are willing to further discuss GSI and contribute to promoting lasting peace and development in the world. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation and enhance the ability to resolve security concerns in the Horn of Africa region. 埃塞方赞赏并支持习近平主席提出全球安全倡议。双方赞赏对方为维护地区和世界和平稳定作出的积极贡献，一致同意各国应坚持共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观，坚持尊重各国主权、领土完整，坚持遵守联合国宪章宗旨和原则，坚持重视各国合理安全关切，坚持通过对话协商以和平方式解决国家间的分歧和争端，坚持维护各领域安全。双方愿进一步讨论全球安全倡议，为推动世界持久和平与发展作出贡献。双方同意深化合作，提升构建解决非洲之角地区安全关切的能力.
Both sides will enhance exchanges and cooperation in the fields of peace, justice, and security, and strengthen cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, prevention and combating transnational crime, law enforcement, and equipment technology. 双方将加强和平、司法和安全领域交流与合作，加强反恐、预防及打击跨国犯罪、执法、装备技术等领域合作.
The Ethiopian side appreciates and supports President Xi Jinping's GCI proposal. The two sides recognize that all countries in the world face common challenges in the process of seeking peace, development and exploring the road to modernization, and need unity, cooperation and dialogue, but division and confrontation are still hindering international solidarity and cooperation. To this end, the two countries should take the lead in implementing the GCI, advocate the peaceful coexistence, harmony and symbiosis of different civilizations, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and promote people-to-people connectivity. 埃塞方赞赏并支持习近平主席提出全球文明倡议。双方认识到，世界各国在求和平、谋发展、探索现代化道路过程中面临共同挑战，需要团结、协作、对话，但分裂和对抗仍在阻碍国际团结合作。为此，两国应率先落实全球文明倡议，倡导不同文明和平共处、和合共生，加强文明交流互鉴，促进民心相通.
The document talks about strengthening a “balanced and mutually beneficial trading partnership”, with China committing to import more Ethiopian agricultural products. The document talks about promoting industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent cultivation. It also talks about strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, youth, women, media, think tanks, and human resources, along with health. “China will continue to support the construction of Ethiopia's public health system, continue to send medical teams to Ethiopia, and encourage Chinese medical health, pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturing companies to invest in Ethiopia.” 中方将继续支持埃塞俄比亚公共卫生系统建设，继续向埃塞俄比亚派遣医疗队，并鼓励中国医疗健康、制药和医疗设备制造企业到埃塞俄比亚投资.
“Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on international and multilateral affairs. The two sides reiterated their common opposition to foreign interference and power-based bullying, and agreed to adhere to multilateralism, defend the international system with the United Nations at the core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, shape a more just and reasonable international order and promote the construction of a community of shared future for mankind.” 双方同意就国际和多边事务加强合作。双方重申共同反对外来干涉和强权霸凌，一致同意坚持多边主义，捍卫以联合国为核心的国际体系、以国际法为基础的国际秩序、以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则，塑造更加公正合理的国际秩序，推动构建人类命运共同体.
Fifth, the report (English report) on Xi’s meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says the following:
Xi said that “the political mutual trust between the two countries has been continuously deepened, the mutually beneficial cooperation has been fruitful, the people-to-people exchanges are rich and colorful; the two sides have cooperated well in international and regional affairs, especially the joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and the friendship between the two peoples has become even deeper. 双方政治互信不断加深，互利合作成果丰硕，人文交流丰富多彩，在国际和地区事务中协作良好，特别是携手抗击新冠疫情，两国人民友谊更加深厚. Xi said China is willing to continue to be good friends and partners with Hungary who trust each other and pursue win-win cooperation, and take the China-Hungary comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels.
Xi added: “China is willing to strengthen exchanges of experience in party and state governance with Hungary, firmly support the development paths chosen by each other, strengthen the in-depth integration of the BRI and Hungary’s Opening to the East strategy, and share development opportunities and results. The two sides should work for the on-time completion and operation of the Budapest-Belgrade Railway, he said, adding that China is willing to increase imports of high-quality agricultural products from Hungary. The two sides should make good use of the mutually established cultural center platform, encourage language teaching in both countries, and pass on the traditional friendship between China and Hungary from generation to generation. Xi also noted that China stands ready to work with Hungary to continue to lead cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries in the right direction and promote steady and sustained progress in China-Europe relations.” 习近平强调，中方愿同匈方加强治党治国理政经验交流，坚定支持彼此选择的发展道路，加强“一带一路”倡议同匈牙利“向东开放”战略深度对接，共享发展机遇和成果。双方要争取匈塞铁路按期建成通车，办好中欧商贸物流合作园区，扩大跨境电商规模，拓展信息科技、新能源产业合作。中方愿扩大进口匈牙利优质农产品。双方要用好互设的文化中心平台，鼓励两国语言教学，让中匈传统友谊世代相传。中国－中东欧国家合作符合中国和中东欧国家共同利益，中方愿同匈方一道，继续引领中国－中东欧国家合作正确方向，不断丰富中国－中东欧国家合作内涵，助力中欧关系行稳致远。
“Orban said Hungary stays committed to deepening its friendly and cooperative relations with China and will continue to be a trustworthy friend and partner of China in the European Union. Hungary opposes decoupling, severing supply chains, and the so-called ‘de-risking’, said the prime minister.”
Sixth, the report on Xi Jinping’s meeting with Chilean President Gabriel Boric quotes Xi as saying:
“China and Chile have become good friends who trust each other and good partners in seeking mutual development. In the current situation, China is willing to work together with Chile to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, and continuously enrich the contemporary connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.” 中智已经成为相互信任的好朋友、共谋发展的好伙伴。当前形势下，中方愿同智方一道，赓续两国传统友谊，不断丰富中智全面战略伙伴关系的时代内涵.
He added: “Both sides should continue to firmly support each other in taking development paths that are in line with their own national conditions, and firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns. The two countries should take the signing of the Belt and Road cooperation plan as an opportunity to strengthen the alignment of their development strategies…China and Chile should deepen traditional cooperation in economy, trade and infrastructure, and foster new drivers of growth for cooperation on clean energy, digital economy, and scientific and technological innovation, to make Chile a leading country in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Latin America. China is willing to strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance and administration with Chile, share successful practices in poverty eradication, green transformation, and environmental protection. China welcomes more high-quality Chilean agricultural products and specialty goods to enter the Chinese market, encourages Chinese enterprises to participate in major projects in Chile, and is ready to cooperate with Chile in strengthening Chinese language teaching and local-level cooperation, facilitating people-to-people exchanges, and strengthening the public opinion basis of China-Chile relations. Strengthening cultural exchanges, promoting mutual learning among civilizations, and setting an example in implementing global initiatives on civilization are important aspects of this cooperation.
China and Chile are both countries in the Global South. China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Chile within the United Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and other frameworks, maintain unity and cooperation among developing countries, and safeguard true multilateralism and free trade. China appreciates Chile’s positive contributions to the development of China-Latin America relations and the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum, and hopes Chile will continue to play its unique role in promoting China's cooperation with Latin America, he said.”
习近平深刻阐述了中国式现代化的本质内涵。习近平强调，中智两国理念相通，始终坚持相互尊重、互利共赢。双方要继续坚定支持彼此走符合本国国情的发展道路，坚定支持彼此核心利益和重大关切。以签署“一带一路”合作规划为契机，加强发展战略对接，高质量共建“一带一路”，深化经贸、基础设施等传统合作，培养清洁能源、数字经济、科技创新等领域合作新增长极，使智利成为中拉高质量共建“一带一路”的桥头堡。中方愿同智方加强治国理政经验交流，分享消除贫困、绿色转型、环境保护等方面成功做法，欢迎更多智利优质农产品和特色商品进入中国市场，鼓励中国企业参与智利重大项目建设合作，愿同智方加强中文教学和地方合作，便利人员往来，巩固中智关系民意基础。加强人文交流，促进文明互鉴，在落实全球文明倡议方面作出表率。中智同属全球南方国家，中方愿同智方在联合国、亚太经合组织等框架内加强沟通配合，维护发展中国家团结合作，捍卫真正的多边主义和自由贸易。中方高度重视中拉关系发展，赞赏智方为推动中拉关系发展和中国－拉美和加勒比国家共同体论坛建设所作积极贡献，希望智方一如既往为推动中拉合作发挥独特影响。
Among Boric’s reported comments, the key bits are:
Chile supports China's efforts to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement
Chile hopes to become the hub of cooperation between China and Latin American countries
He hoped to strengthen cooperation in environmental protection, poverty alleviation, energy, science and technology, mining and other fields, and deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges
He wants to work closely to promote solidarity and cooperation among countries of the Global South and build a community of shared future for mankind.
The joint statement issued after the talks is available in PD today. Key excerpts:
Chile reaffirms its firm adherence to the one-China principle, supports China's peaceful reunification and resolutely opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’. China is grateful for this. The two countries reaffirmed the principles of maintaining peace and security, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, safeguarding multilateralism and promoting free trade. 智方重申坚定奉行一个中国原则，支持中国和平统一，坚决反对任何形式的“台独”。中方对此表示感谢。两国重申维护和平与安全、和平解决争端、不干涉他国内政、捍卫多边主义、促进自由贸易等原则.
“Both sides reaffirm their willingness to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, mining, energy, education, culture, tourism, technology, agriculture and fisheries, infrastructure development, law enforcement and security, Antarctica, and to expand cooperation in emerging areas such as digital economy, green sustainable development, technological innovation, new energy, and artificial intelligence. Both sides pledge to provide an open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for each other's enterprises investing and operating in their respective countries, jointly ensuring the safety of relevant cooperation projects, enterprises, and personnel, and advancing the high-quality construction of the 'Belt and Road.' The Chilean side reaffirms the principle of technological neutrality and welcomes Chinese companies to participate in the bidding for the intelligent 5G network as well as infrastructure development in areas such as railways and ports. Chile invites Chinese companies to participate in Chilean lithium industry development and green hydrogen projects. The two sides agree to further deepen agricultural cooperation…Both sides will work to establish a government-to-government fisheries cooperation mechanism between China and Chile, explore the deepening of cooperation across the entire fisheries supply chain, and commit to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The two sides reiterated their willingness to strengthen cooperation in Antarctica, astronomy and other fields. 六、双方重申愿加强在经贸、矿业、能源、教育、文化、旅游、科技、农渔业、基础设施建设、执法安全、南极等领域合作，拓展在数字经济、绿色可持续发展、科技创新、新能源、人工智能等新兴领域合作。——双方承诺为对方企业在各自国家投资兴业提供开放、公平、公正、非歧视的营商环境，共同保障有关合作项目及企业、人员安全，推进高质量共建“一带一路”。智方重申技术中立原则，欢迎中国企业参与智5G网络招标以及铁路、港口等基础设施领域建设。——智方邀请中方企业参与智利锂矿产业开发和绿氢项目。——双方同意进一步深化农业合作，挖掘中智和智中示范农场合作潜力，推进其改进与建设进程。——双方将致力于建立中智政府间渔业合作机制，探讨深化全链条渔业合作，承诺打击非法、未报告和无管制捕捞。——双方重申加强南极、天文等领域合作意愿.
Both sides agree on the importance of jointly safeguarding the common values of all mankind such as peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. Chile appreciates and affirms the contribution of GDI, GSI and GCI and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind to the realization of world peace and development. Both parties congratulated each other on the signing of the MoU between the CIDCA and the Chilean International Development Cooperation Agency on Promoting the Implementation of Global Development Initiative. 双方一致认同共同维护和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值的重要性。智方赞赏并肯定全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议和构建人类命运共同体理念为实现世界和平与发展作出贡献。双方祝贺签署《中国国家国际发展合作署和智利国际发展合作署关于推动落实全球发展倡议的谅解备忘录》.
The document talks about both sides holding similar positions on international issues and coordinating at multilateral organisations; it also talks about both agreeing that “the international community should adhere to the orientation of economic and trade openness, firmly safeguard free trade and multilateral trading system, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, actively promote the necessary reform of the World Trade Organization, and support the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization to achieve positive results.” “Chile supports China’s willingness to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, and China expresses its gratitude for this.”
The document also talks about potential cooperation in areas such as disaster management, climate change response, and marine ecological and environmental protection. Along with this, it says: “Chile appreciates the Global Data Security Initiative proposed by China, and the two sides are willing to strengthen cooperation in promoting the formulation of global digital governance rules. The two sides believe that artificial intelligence is a new field of human development, and agree to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, strengthen information exchange and technical cooperation, jointly prevent risks, and continuously improve the safety, reliability, and fairness of artificial intelligence technology.” 智方赞赏中方提出的《全球数据安全倡议》，双方愿就推动制定全球数字治理规则加强合作。双方认为，人工智能是人类发展的新领域，同意拓展人工智能合作，加强信息交流和技术合作，共同做好风险防范，不断提升人工智能技术的安全性、可靠性、公平性.
Finally, Boric invited Xi to visit next year or when convenient.
Also on Tuesday, Xi met with the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Xinhua reports that Xi called Serbia an “ironclad friend”.
“Facing profound changes in the world unseen in a century, the two sides should view the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, as well as each other's development paths, Xi noted. Xi said China firmly supports Serbia in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity and stands ready to continue to strengthen strategic synergy with Serbia in order to translate the traditional friendship between the two countries into more fruits of practical cooperation. Xi called on the two sides to steadily advance cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure and actively explore new areas of cooperation including digital economy and technological innovation.”
Vucic backed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and said that “Serbia stands with China on all China-related issues and firmly follows the one-China policy.” Comment: I wonder what Xi’s comments mean in the context of the current tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, or do they mean anything at all really?
The two countries also inked an FTA, which is China’s first with a central or eastern European country.
Seventh, Xinhua’s report on Xi’s meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev says:
Xi said that the two countries have similar development goals, and China stands ready to work with Uzbekistan to support each other's national modernization drive and build the China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future. The two sides must continue to support each other, Xi said, adding that China backs Uzbekistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and firmly opposes any interference in its internal affairs under any excuse. The two sides should effectively implement the medium- and long-term plan for economic and trade cooperation, advance cooperation in key fields, and create conditions conducive to an early start of the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, Xi said. China supports expanding cooperation in areas including new energy and innovation, Xi said, noting that the country is willing to import more quality products from Uzbekistan. More Uzbek youths are welcome to study in China and China is willing to provide more scholarship quotas for Uzbek students, Xi said. He also stressed the need for the two sides to accelerate the establishment of cultural centers in each other's countries as well as the Luban Workshop.