Li Baoshan, President of the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC), addressed the First Council Meeting of the Belt and Road News Network (BRNN) on April 23 in Beijing, pointing out the pivotal role that media has played in the process of promoting Belt and Road cooperation.

The Council Meeting kicked off ahead of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) to be held from April 25 to 27.

Li said that the network is a significant step to implement the cooperation consensus reached during the first BRF and for people-to-people exchanges along the Belt and Road.

To date, 40 media outlets from 25 countries constitute the council of the BRNN, a platform which includes the participation of 182 media outlets from 86 countries.

During the first meeting, the Council will adopt a series of documents through discussions, including the Belt and Road News Network Charter, operation regulations and the joint declaration of the first BRNN Council, as well as a work plan for 2019 and 2020.

The first Council Meeting marked the official launch of the BRNN, said Li, adding that the network will continue to give full play to the social function of media and build itself into a platform featuring openness and cooperation so as to promote policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds between BRI countries and regions.

Li said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has won positive support from the international community since 2013, and turned itself into a public product widely welcomed around the globe.

The international community agrees with the BRI principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. All media organizations have contributed to the support of the BRI and appreciate the cooperation and opportunity it creates, said Li.