Xi underscores high-quality infrastructure construction for inclusive development

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the important role of high-quality infrastructure construction in boosting inclusive development, saying that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is open for all parties to achieve shared development.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the 14th G20 summit, in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua]

Speaking at a summit of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies in the Japanese city of Osaka, Xi noted that China successfully hosted the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in April, reaching broad consensus and producing fruitful outcomes on high-quality building of the Belt and Road.

Xi called for adhering to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, adopting open, green and clean approaches, and striving to meet the goals of high standards, livelihood improvement and sustainability.

The ultimate goal, Xi said, is to better integrate into the global supply chain, industrial chain and value chain and achieve interconnected development through all-round connectivity.

Xi also called for efforts to strengthen the synergy with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, noting that the BRI, with its focus on development, will make important contributions to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the sustainable development of developing countries.

Pointing out that the BRI is committed to boosting common development of all members of the international community, Xi said that the initiative has become an international public good that benefits all parties and an open and inclusive platform for international cooperation.

At the G20 Osaka summit, Xi invited all interested parties to participate in the BRI and work together to make the "pie" bigger for mutual benefit.

On the basis of the shared vision and consensus of the international community, Xi said, China will continue to promote policy coordination and practical cooperation, and contribute to strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth of the world economy, so as to achieve high-quality development and common prosperity of all countries.

The BRI, proposed by Xi in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aimed at building trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe, Africa and beyond.

The G20 summit concluded Saturday afternoon.