[Live Updates] The opening ceremony for the Belt and Road forum

Xi said that China will not engage in beggar-thy-neighbor currency devaluation, and that China attaches great importance to the establishment of a constraint mechanism for the fulfillment and implementation of international agreements, and the modification and improvement of laws and regulations in accordance with the need of further opening-up. 

He also called on all countries to create a sound investment environment, and treat Chinese enterprises, students and scholars abroad as equals.

Xi Jinping said China will further reduce tariff levels, eliminate all kinds of non-tariff barriers, and continue to open the door to China's market, and welcome high-quality products from all over the world.

Xi stressed that China does not intentionally pursue trade surplus and is willing to import more foreign competitive high-quality agricultural products, manufactured goods and services to promote balanced development of trade.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will work with other parties to promote a coalition of sustainable cities and an international coalition for green development under the Belt and Road Initiative.

China will support 5,000 people from innovation sectors in Belt and Road countries in conducting exchanges, training programs and joint researches in the next five years.

A total of 10,000 representatives of political parties, think tanks and non-governmental organizations from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative will be invited to China for exchanges in the next five years.

China will allow foreign investors to operate businesses in more sectors with controlling or full stake.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said with the joint efforts of all parties, the achievements of the first BRI forum have been successfully implemented, and more than 150 countries and international organizations have signed BRI cooperation agreements with China. 

The joint development of the initiative will complement the development and cooperation plans of the international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, ASEAN, the African Union, the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union. 

It will open up new space for world economic growth, provide new opportunities for the development of all countries, and open up a new world for China's opening up and development.

Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted building high quality infrastructure, sustainability, risk resilience, reasonable pricing, inclusiveness and accessibility under the Belt and Road Initiative.

China will negotiate and sign high-standard free trade agreements with more countries, says Xi Jinping.

Delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping says the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) focuses on connectivity, practical cooperation, and opening more room for global economic growth.

Xi is calling on countries to seek shared growth through collaboration, noting there must be no tolerance for corruption.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending the opening ceremony and delivering a keynote speech. He will also chair the leaders' roundtable and brief journalists from home and abroad about the outcomes after the roundtable.

The theme of the meeting is "Belt and Road Cooperation, Shaping a Brighter Shared Future." The main purpose is to promote the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation.

Leaders including heads of state and government from 37 countries are attending the forum's roundtable summit. 

The countries are Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

The secretary-general of the United Nations, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, and senior representatives of France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the European Union are also participating.

The opening ceremony for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held in Beijing on Friday morning.