Chinese, German scholars call for inclusive global development in "new industrial revolution"

Gabriel Felbermayr (rear), President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), addresses a workshop titled "Global Challenges and Global Solutions" in Kiel, Germany, April 16, 2019. The workshop entitled "Global Challenges and Global Solutions" was held on Tuesday at Kiel, a famous harbor city in northern Germany. About 40 scholars from Chinese and German think tanks shared their research and opinions on a variety of topics such as the new industrialization process, the Belt and Road Initiative, global governance and 5G policy. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

BERLIN, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Relying on the Belt and Road Initiative, we can promote the application of appropriate technologies in developing countries, and promote inclusive global development, said Xie Fuzhan, President of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), during a workshop held by high-ranking think tanks of China and Germany.

The workshop entitled "Global Challenges and Global Solutions" was held on Tuesday at Kiel, a famous harbor city in northern Germany. About 40 scholars from Chinese and German think tanks shared their research and opinions on a variety of topics such as the new industrialization process, the Belt and Road Initiative, global governance and 5G policy.

"Key technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology and 5G are making breakthroughs and being commercialized at a faster pace, heralding a new era of industrial revolution," Xie said.

Gabriel Felbermayr, President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), said the Belt and Road Initiative brings big opportunity for Germany to trade with China and Central Asia with lower transportation costs and higher efficiency. And in order to make these things work, what we need is honest and friendly cooperation.

Dirk Dohse, a senior economist at Ifw, pointed out that the increased speed of technological change, the digital revolution and the rise of artificial intelligence challenged existing economic structures and the competitive position of traditional technology and industry leaders like Germany.

"There are big challenges ahead, but opportunities of new world order are clearly much bigger. Therefore our two countries Germany and China should work together to defend free trade and international exchange, and to reform the current world trade order in a transparent way," Dohse stressed.

"We have calculated that the trade cost in this economic area could fall by 3 percent, due to an upgrade of infrastructure. We look at the project with a lot of hope and it could increase trade imports and exports and also help us bring economic dynamism to the Central Asian," said Felbermayr.

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences is the largest and social science research institution and a high-ranking think tank in China. And the Kiel Institute for the World Economy was founded in 1914, and it is the oldest and one of the most prestigious economic research institutes in Germany.