A seminar on the development of regions along ‘One Belt and One Road’ and the role of Shanghai and an accompanying book launch was held at Shanghai Academy on April 20. The seminar was co-sponsored by Shanghai Academy and Research Development International of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Zhao Baige, member of the Standing Committee and vice chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress and chairperson of the Expert Committee of CASS RDI, was invited to attend the meeting and delivered a keynote speech.
Yao Zhizhong, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Scientific Research Management and the Institute of World Economics and Politics of CASS and Wen Xueguo, Executive Vice President of Shanghai Academy, each delivered opening speeches. On behalf of CASS Bureau of Scientific Research Management, Yao expressed his congratulations on the successful holding of the seminar and earnest expectation that Shanghai Academy can make continuous innovation to systems and mechanisms and work hard to develop into a new-type think tank. Wen introduced the profile, goals and positioning of Shanghai Academy and expressed hope that experts and scholars can participate in the future research work of the academy.
In his keynote speech entitled "One Belt and One Road 'and New Globalization", Zhao Baige elaborated on the topic from four aspects. 1) What is new globalization? Historically, new globalization is actually the fourth globalization, which is characterized by inclusiveness, win-win cooperation, and integration. 2) What role can Shanghai play in the effort to build “One Belt and One Road” and in the process of new globalization? Shanghai can play a role as an industrial transfer & industrial innovation center, an international trade center, an international financial center, an international logistics center and a scientific and technological innovation center. 3) What are the major issues that should be our concern when studying “One Belt and One Road”? For example, what countries are along “One Belt and One Road”? Who is the subject? What is the economic growth point of “One Belt and One Road”? 4) What role could the young play in the effort to build “One Belt and One Road” and relevant research work?
Wang Zhen, research fellow and Vice President of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, aired his opinions on how Shanghai should play a bridgehead role in building “One Belt and One Road”. Yao Zhizhong mainly talked about how Shanghai should play a role as a financial pivot in the campaign and put forward targeted suggestions. Zhang Yongan, Executive Vice President of Shanghai University College of Liberal Arts, mainly talked about “One Belt and One Road” under the international discourse system and the role of Shanghai. Su Qingyi, associate research fellow of Shanghai Academy, voiced his opinions on obstacles hindering the economic and trade links between China and other countries along the “One Belt and One Road”, as well as the countermeasures that shall be taken.
In the book launch session, Ma Wenzheng, a specially appointed research fellow of OBOR Research Center, CASS Institute of West-Asian and African Studies, made a brief introduction of the new book, titled Development of Regions along OBOR and the Role of Shanghai–OBOR Talks by Chinese Young Scholars. Published by Social Sciences Academic Press, the book is a part of the think tank report series of Shanghai Academy. Zhang Chun, research fellow of Shanghai Institute for International Studies, commented on the book. After the seminar and the book launch ceremony, attendees had a free and lively discussion on the development of regions along OBOR and the role of Shanghai.
At the end of the meeting, Li Youmei, First Vice President of Shanghai Academy, made a concluding speech. She showed sincere thanks to leaders, experts and teachers who came to attend the seminar and spoke highly of the reports on the meeting.
The meeting was presided over by Xiong Hou, Director of Shanghai Academy Research Division. Attendees included experts from the CASS Institute of West-Asian and African Studies, the CASS Institute of Information Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and Gansu Institute of Political Science and Law, reporters from China Social Sciences Today, Jiefang Daily, Wen Wei Po, Social Sciences Weekly and other media, some authors of the new book and staff of relevant divisions and offices of Shanghai Academy.
By Su Qingyi and Lu Wenting
