Media from various countries should deepen their exchange and cooperation centering around the Belt and Road Initiative, and also create a favorable environment for the construction of a green, healthy, intelligent and peaceful Silk Road, said Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Liu made his remarks on July 27 while meeting with foreign representatives participating in the 2016 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road, which was held in Beijing.

Liu said that the letter of congratulations sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping reflects the attention paid and sincere expectations attached to the initiative by the Chinese government.

The initiative has been widely lauded by the countries along the route, Liu noted, stressing that it focuses on mutually beneficial cooperation and boosting peaceful global development. In pursuit of common interests rather than exclusive benefits, China is willing to share its development opportunities with the countries along the route, Liu added.

Representatives including Ahmed El-Sayed El-Naggar, president of Al-Ahram, the most widely circulated Egyptian daily newspaper, agreed that the Belt and Road Initiative is compatible with the common interests of each party and is in line with regional and global trends for cooperation. He hopes that media organizations can strengthen their cooperation to better serve people through the initiative.

People’s Daily President Yang Zhenwu and Chief Editor Li Baoshan also attended the meeting. More than 200 members of the media from over 100 countries participated in the 2016 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road.