（Photo/Chen Cheng)
Jiangsu’s business leaders warmly welcomed the Beijing Declaration released at the Belt and Road CEO Conference on October 17, which was part of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) held from October 17 to 18 in Beijing.
The Beijing Declaration advocates opening-up and cooperation, deeper connectivity, green development, collaboration in the digital economy, and compliance management while shouldering social responsibility.
"BRI offers valuable opportunities for the common development and helps Chinese enterprises enhance their international growth and competitiveness," said Zhou Haijiang, chairman of HOdo Group.
The group, an apparel manufacturer, has prioritized international expansion since the 1980s, with offices established in the United States, Singapore, Thailand and other countries. It has also played a key role in the construction and development of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia, transforming a previous wasteland to a modern industrial park and also turning the project into a major achievement under the BRI framework.
The SSEZ now houses 175 enterprises and organizations from China, Europe, the US, Southeast Asia and other regions, and has created nearly 30,000 jobs. In the first nine months of this year, enterprises in the zone achieved a total import and export value of $2.507 billion, which marked a 31.7% year-on-year increase and accounted for about 7.13% of Cambodia's total foreign trade in the same period.
Zhuang Xiaofeng, general manager of Xuzhou Jianghai Wood Products Co Ltd, attended the Belt and Road CEO Conference for first time. His company has made progress in markets like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other countries involved in the BRI.
"The Beijing Declaration represents a joint commitment to international cooperation, sustainable development and a shared vision for a prosperous future. BRI has allowed Chinese companies to realize common development with partners in broader areas, thus offering a pathway of opportunities for countries worldwide," Zhuang said.
Cao Debiao, president of China Tianying (CNTY), said the declaration’s five aspects provide strong guidance for his company’s global expansion. Operating in 17 countries, CNTY aims to ensure high-quality construction and operation, enhance win-win cooperation, promote green and low-carbon development, and fulfill social responsibilities.
For Xu Haoyu, Party chief, chairman and general manager of Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group, the Beijing Declaration has built consensus and also inspired the business community. The group will leverage its own strengths in healthcare and traditional Chinese medicine as well as 30 overseas TCM centers co-established by China to offer quality products and services to BRI countries.
