On the occasion of the opening of the First Silk Road NGO Cooperation Network Forum, on behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people, and also in my own name, I extend warm congratulations to the Forum! I also wish to extend sincere welcome to all the distinguished representatives of NGOs and people from all walks of life across the world attending the Forum!

Since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed, its vision is increasingly becoming a reality and bearing rich fruit. The practice has proven that strengthening international cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative is providing new platforms for and injecting new impetus into the efforts to safeguard world peace and promote common development.

NGOs play an important role in promoting economic and social development as well as in international cooperation and global governance. Building the Silk Road NGO Cooperation Network is an important step to enhance exchanges and cooperation among people of the Silk Road countries and facilitate people-to-people connectivity. I hope that all the delegates can take the Forum as an opportunity to discuss how to further promote people-to-people connectivity so as to make contributions to deepening the mutual understanding and friendship among people of different countries, promoting common development and helping build a community of shared future for mankind!

I wish the First Silk Road NGO Cooperation Network Forum a great success!

Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

Nov. 21, 2017

Beijing