Comics drawn by Liao Tingting.

On April 19, President Xi Jinping made an inspection tour of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, learnt about the trade and cultural exchanges of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, the development of the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone as well as Guangxi's opening to and cooperation with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.

This tour took place ahead of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in mid-May. Xi charted the direction for grasping the historical opportunity to advance China's opening up and development as well as further promoting the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Since the Belt and Road Initiative was first proposed by Xi in 2013, it has developed from a proposal to putting into practice, from the layout to expansion. The initiative has achieved more than expected, and the speed of it progress has also exceeded expectations.

The construction of the Belt and Road Initiative serves as an opportunity to draw a new picture for regional and even global win-win cooperation, development and prosperity. It also embodies the Chinese leader's vision and wisdom.

During the tour, Xi urges the nation to write a new chapter for developing the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and to promote China's opening up and development under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Only by conscientiously implementing the concept of opening up and coordinated development and advancing the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, can we create a better future through interconnectivity, co-construction and co-sharing and realize the dream of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Song Xiongwei, associate Professor of department of politics, China National School of Administration.

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