A map of the ancient Silk Road collected by the Baktu Port Exhibition Hall in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo by Li Zan]

In September 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping, while visiting Kazakhstan, proposed the joint construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt, and then in October of the same year, he proposed the joint construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road during his visit to Indonesia. Both suggested projects, collectively known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), are now hailed as proposals of epoch-making significance and an important component of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism With Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. A decade has since passed, and the BRI construction has entered the high-quality development stage. As of June 2023, China has signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with 152 countries and 32 international organizations.

On June 2, 2023, President Xi Jinping attended a symposium on cultural inheritance and development in Beijing. In his speech, the Chinese president offered an explanation of the five characteristics of the Chinese civilization, including "continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness and peace." The past decade has seen vigorous development and outstanding innovation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism With Chinese Characteristics in the New Era.

BRI rooted in Chinese civilization

Chinese civilization is the only one of its kind in the world that continues to develop in a national form to this day. The Silk Road is a vivid case of the integration of Chinese civilization with other civilizations, and is ultimately based on the continuity of Chinese civilization. It boasts a spirit characterized by peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, and mutual learning and mutual benefit, a spirit with unique historical value and practical significance in the world today.