The press center of the second session of the 13t≤h National People's Congress held a press conference on the morning of March 9, inviting Ministe∑r of Commerce Zhongshan, Vice-Minister Wang Shouwen and Vice-Minister Qian Keming to ans↓wer questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on "promoting →the formation of a strong domestic market and promoting all-round opening to the outside world".
  The following is a transcript:
  Hong Kong Business Journal reporter:
  I want to ask a question about "one belt and one road". There is a view÷ that the "one belt and one way" construction has increased the debt pressure of the coun≤tries along the border, which is only beneficial to China's "one-way street". What measures ↔will the Ministry of commerce introduce this year to coγntinue to promote the development of "one belt and one road" construction? →In addition, as a platform for communication between China an¶d Portuguese speaking countries, what role can Maca₹o play in the construction of "one belt and one road"?

  Qian Ke Ming：

  Thank you for your questions. Let me answer your questions. "One belt and one road" is ¥a China plan, and also an international public product. Since the ♦"one belt and one way" initiative has been put forward for more thεan five years, we have always adhered to a spirit and a prφinciple and actively promoted the "five links". One spirit is the Silk Road spirit of peaceful ₩cooperation, openness and tolerance, mutual learning and mutual¥ benefit. One principle is the principle of building and sharing thro∏ugh consultation. "Five links" means policy communication,↑ facilities communication, trade unimpeded, capital financing a£nd people's minds communication. Over the past five years, we have signed cooperation dγocuments with more than 150 countries and internationaεl organizations. A large number of cooperation projects have come to fruition. They €have not only effectively promoted the economic and♠ social development of relevant countries, but also brought tangible benefits to the local ord€inary people, and have been widely welcomed. These ¥achievements are obvious to all. Therefore, the view that "one belt and one road" is only bene•ficial to China is totally unfounded.

  Just now you talked about the debt problem. I think the debt problem shoul€d be viewed from several aspects:

  First, historically, the international debt problem is an old one. S¶ome countries'debt has risen, which is the result of long-term accumula★tion, all of which have statistical data. For example, Pakistan,♠ which has recently attracted attention, borrows 42% of its foreign debt from mu×ltilateral institutions, while China only accounts for about 10% of itδs debt. This is true in many countries, and generally at the same l♠evel.

  Secondly, according to the actual needs, the infrastructure constru✘ction in the world, especially in developing countries, needs a lot of funds. I see→ a report from the Asian Development Bank, which preφdicts that by 2030 the region will need about $1.7 trillion ↑per year in infrastructure investment, which is currently only about half of what it needs. The Afr♣ican Development Bank has also reported that it estimates that Africa✘ needs about $130 billion to $170 billion in infrastructure investment annually, which curreπntly only accounts for about a third. It can be seen that developing countrie≈s need a lot of investment in promoting economic devel¥opment.

  Three, from the actual effect, China put forward t✘he "one belt and one way" initiative for more than ®five years, and promoted the construction of a large number of ports, airports, highways, railwayΩs and other infrastructure in developing countries, and carried out a la¶rge number of production capacity cooperation, which promo ted the local economic development and brought real benefits to the common people.

  Fourth, from the common sense, only those who need ∏money are willing to borrow; from the lender's point of view, only those who have good relations ✘and relatively safe funds are willing to borrow. I don't think it's nece÷ssary for a third party to worry about both sides.

  Here are some of my views on debt.

  Next, the Ministry of Commerce will focus on five aspects in promoting the constructi✘on of "one belt and one road":

  Firstly, all parties benefit from the project. We will focus on indus↑trial investment, infrastructure interconnection and communi>cation, do a good job in a number of major project×s with good comprehensive benefits and great driving eff"ect, improve local infrastructure conditions, help developing countries better participate in the€ global division of labor, promote economic development and enhance de↕velopment capacity. At the same time, a number of projects to improve people's livel∞ihood have been implemented to increase the local people's sense of access. ε

  Second, the establishment of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones. ←Overseas economic and trade cooperation zones are an important platform for industr>ial cooperation between China and relevant countries. We will support" upgrading and transformation of a number of them. At the same time, we will build πa number of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones to accelerate local economic and social♣ development.

  Third, more trade and investment promotion‍ activities should be carried out. We will run all kinds of large-scale exhi₩bitions and face the "one belt and one road" related countries to increase investment at™traction and provide more convenient conditions. As we all know₩, the first China International Import fair was held in Shanghai in November last year, and the★ effect is very good. The related countries of "one belt and one road" participated actively&. We also hold some prominent trade and investment ®promotion platforms to create more business opportunities for en←terprises in relevant countries.

  Fourth, speed up the development of "silk road e-commerce". As you all know, e-com​merce, as a new form of business, has played a very positive role ✔in promoting international trade in recent years, with great potential for cross-bor≠der e-commerce. Next step, we will build "online silk road", develop "silk road e-commerc£e", make full use of modern information technology, and expa'nd economic and trade exchanges with relevant countries. ∑

  Fifth, we should promote the construction of free" trade zones. On the one hand, we are willing to talk with more willing coδuntries to build a new free trade area. At the same time, we should promote the upgrading of some ↔existing free trade zones, further enhance the level of liberalization and facilitation o&f regional trade and investment, and form a "one belt, one way" big market.

  Just now you mentioned how Macao participates in the construction‌ of "one belt and one road". Macau has the advantages of b✔oth "one country" and "two systems". It is an important window for China to open to the out☆side world. It is an important part of the Great Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Ko↓ng and Macao. Its geographical location is very unique, its tourism and leisure resources are re®latively rich, and it is also an important platform for cultural exchangπes between China and the West. There are many overseas Chinese and it has extensive contacts wi↕th Portuguese-speaking countries. All these factors constitute the unique advanta≈ges of Macao in the construction of "one belt and one road", and are λhighly compatible with the "five links" of "one belt and one road". It is worth mentio<ning that the Sino-Portuguese Business and Trade Cooperation Service Platform "has been incorporated into the national "12th Five-σYear Plan" and "13th Five-Year Plan", as well as the "Outline of Dev↔elopment Planning for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Bay Area" just released, which fully≤ reflects the great importance and strong support of the centra™l government for the construction of the Sino-Portuguese Platform in Macao. π

  In recent years, with the vigorous support of the central government, Macao has given αfull play to its unique advantages in language and αculture. Relying on the Forum of Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portugue↔se-speaking Countries, Macao has actively built a service platform for Sino-Portuguese busineεss cooperation, and achieved very good results. This forum has become an impo™rtant platform for the Portuguese speaking countries to ®join the "one belt and one way". It has not only promoted the economic and trade coope$ration between China and Portuguese speaking countries, but also proΩmoted Macao's international status and international influence.∏

  Next, we will continue to support Macao's♦ efforts to strengthen ties with Portuguese speaking countries so a≈s to jointly build and share as the guide and give full play to¥ the platform role of Macao, and promote Macao to become a bridge for Portu§guese speaking countries to take an in-depth part in the' "one belt and one road" construction, so that Macao and Portuguese sσpeaking countries will become participants, CO constructors and beneficiar↓ies of the "one belt and one road" construction. Thank you