Dr. Akkan Suver, the President of the Marmara Group Foundation, who is in the People's Republic of China, delivered a conference on the relationship between the Belt and Road Initiative and Türkiye at the seminar held at Zhejiang University in Shanghai.
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You can find Dr. Akkan Suver's speech below.
Speech by Dr. Akkan Suver at Zhejiang UniversityEsteemed Participants of Zhejiang University's Seminar,
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, I extend my respectful greetings to your distinguished delegation from Istanbul on behalf of the Marmara Group Foundation.
I am here in your country to participate in the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative Forum. This forum, set to take place in the heart of the ancient Silk Road, represents a new source of hope and a fresh beginning for the prosperity and peace of the region.
That's how I perceive it.
Türkiye-China relations, which have now passed 50 years, have noticeably developed in recent years, spanning from economics to trade, tourism to culture. Starting from the 1980s with both countries' policies of opening up to the world, relations gained momentum in the economic and political arenas. In 2010, bilateral relations were elevated to the level of "strategic cooperation," and diplomatic contacts have intensified over the past 15 years.
As you are well aware, the shared journey of Türkiye and China reached a new level with the Belt and Road Initiative, launched a decade ago, aimed at revitalizing the historic Silk Road. Now, the two countries are focusing on new collaborations to build the future together.
We consider the Belt and Road Initiative as a peace project. In today's world, conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine War, the Kosovo-Serbia tension, the Israel-Palestine dispute, and the ongoing instability in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq highlight our need for this initiative.
I repeat, the Belt and Road Initiative is not just about trade, cooperation, and cultural exchange; it is also a peace movement. Over the years, this initiative, which has been brought to life after being removed from the stage of history, is not only for the People's Republic of China but also a peace and prosperity project for the future of humanity.
And I claim that in the future, this initiative will be considered a development, stability, and peace project worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Furthermore, the Belt and Road Initiative also brings an opportunity for people to come together, get to know each other, communicate through languages and religions, and engage in the export and import of goods.
Beyond being a trade route connecting Asia to Europe and Africa, the initiative is a gateway to extraordinary historical and cultural richness, bearing traces of the cultures, religions, and races of the people living in the region.
Türkiye, my country, is not only a connector between Asia and Europe but also holds a strategic position bringing Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Black Sea, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean closer together. Moreover, Türkiye is a captivating tourism destination known for its rich cultural heritage. The collaboration between China and Türkiye, as leading players in the global economy, presents a significant opportunity for our planet.
As you are aware, the Belt and Road Initiative, with its $1 trillion investments and a population of over 3 billion, has captured the interest of 152 countries. Beyond its vast infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, ports, airports, power plants, and telecommunication networks, the initiative is a force for large-scale development and progress.
All these relationships that started with the Belt and Road Initiative provide significant motivation for us as humanity to get to know each other better, understand one another, and elevate our collaboration in all aspects.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the Belt and
Road Initiative, born from a vision of civilization, is an opportunity for humanity. Our responsibility is to seize this opportunity and bring it to life.
Thank you for listening.
