(October 3, 2025 Naperville, Illinois )

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, friends, 

Good morning!

It is a great pleasure to join you today. I sincerely appreciate CAPRC and Professor Lepinske for your longstanding dedication to Silk Road studies. Over the past decade, guided by the spirit of the ancient Silk Road, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping, has grown into the world’s largest platform for international cooperation. The BRI advocates win-win cooperation in pursuit of the greater good and shared interests. It emphasizes that all countries are equal participants, contributors and beneficiaries, and encourages economic integration, interconnected development, and the sharing of achievements. Many Central Asian countries are active participants and staunch supporters of the BRI, and joint efforts under this initiative have brought tremendous changes and far-reaching opportunities to the region. Concrete projects, such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, and collaborations in green development, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence, are already creating new opportunities for global growth. The BRI demonstrates that connecting countries and sharing opportunities can generate tangible benefits for people everywhere.

Through BRI cooperation, efforts have been made to strengthen the global governance system, providing greater certainty and stability in a world full of turbulence and change. Building on this legacy, President Xi recently put forward the Global Governance Initiative at the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization+” Tianjin Summit, in addition to three Initiatives respectively on global development, global security, and global civilization he introduced before, which aims to improve the existing international system and make it more effective in addressing global challenges. The initiative emphasizes that all countries, large or small, should enjoy sovereign equality and participate fully in global affairs. It calls for adherence to international law and multilateral cooperation, focuses on practical results, and places people’s well-being at the center of global governance. In short, it reflects the principle that addressing global challenges requires solidarity, inclusiveness, and collective action, and it’s not meant to overturned the existing international order, to create another framework outside the current international system, or to replace and unseat anyone.

Through BRI cooperation, China has demonstrated its commitment to further opening up and advancing steady development. Thanks to the thriving economic and trade cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road and other partners, and braving the headwind of tariff and trade wars, China’s total imports and exports of goods reached 3 trillion US dollars in the first half of the year. With a higher level of opening-up and a more enabling business environment, China has created broader opportunities for enterprises from around the world. Today, facing up to rising protectionism and de-globalization, China boasts a more resilient economy, with GDP expanding by 5.3% year-on-year in the first half, and major economic indicators continuing to show positive momentum. Emerging industries such as 5G, artificial intelligence, new energy, high-end manufacturing, and biotechnology have become key drivers of growth. Notable progress has also been made in the green and low-carbon transition, while the development of new quality productive forces has been accelerated, injecting invaluable stability and strong impetus into the global economic recovery.

Through BRI cooperation, we see vast potential for win-win outcomes between China and the U.S. As President Xi stressed in the recent phone call with President Trump, our two countries can achieve mutual success and shared prosperity. The BRI is not a geopolitical tool, but a platform for consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Though initiated by China, it belongs to the world, remains open to all, and delivers gains to all participants. China welcomes U.S. participation, and with our highly complementary economies, BRI cooperation can open new space for China–U.S. collaboration, benefiting not only our two nations but also all partner countries through stronger infrastructure, industrialization, and improved livelihoods.

Dear friends,

At a time of profound global change, the world needs cooperation, wisdom, and resilience more than ever. The Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Governance Initiatives, and the vision of a shared future for mankind all point to the same goal: harnessing collective effort to create a world of peace, security, and prosperity for all. I am deeply grateful to Professor Lepinske and the CAPRC for your continued support for international dialogue and cooperation, particularly that between China and the U.S. Let us join hands to build stronger partnerships, unlock greater opportunities, and create a better world for all.

Thank you!