The press center of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress held a press conference on the morning of March 9, inviting Minister of Commerce Zhongshan, Vice-Minister Wang Shouwen and Vice-Minister Qian Keming to answer questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on "promoting the formation of a strong domestic market and promoting all-round opening to the outside world".
  The following is a transcript:
  Hong Kong Business Journal reporter:
  I want to ask a question about "one belt and one road". There is a view that the "one belt and one way" construction has increased the debt pressure of the countries along the border, which is only beneficial to China's "one-way street". What measures will the Ministry of commerce introduce this year to continue to promote the development of "one belt and one road" construction? In addition, as a platform for communication between China and Portuguese speaking countries, what role can Macao play in the construction of "one belt and one road"?

  Qian Ke Ming：

  Thank you for your questions. Let me answer your questions. "One belt and one road" is a China plan, and also an international public product. Since the "one belt and one way" initiative has been put forward for more than five years, we have always adhered to a spirit and a principle and actively promoted the "five links". One spirit is the Silk Road spirit of peaceful cooperation, openness and tolerance, mutual learning and mutual benefit. One principle is the principle of building and sharing through consultation. "Five links" means policy communication, facilities communication, trade unimpeded, capital financing and people's minds communication. Over the past five years, we have signed cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and international organizations. A large number of cooperation projects have come to fruition. They have not only effectively promoted the economic and social development of relevant countries, but also brought tangible benefits to the local ordinary people, and have been widely welcomed. These achievements are obvious to all. Therefore, the view that "one belt and one road" is only beneficial to China is totally unfounded.

  Just now you talked about the debt problem. I think the debt problem should be viewed from several aspects:

  First, historically, the international debt problem is an old one. Some countries'debt has risen, which is the result of long-term accumulation, all of which have statistical data. For example, Pakistan, which has recently attracted attention, borrows 42% of its foreign debt from multilateral institutions, while China only accounts for about 10% of its debt. This is true in many countries, and generally at the same level.

  Secondly, according to the actual needs, the infrastructure construction in the world, especially in developing countries, needs a lot of funds. I see a report from the Asian Development Bank, which predicts that by 2030 the region will need about $1.7 trillion per year in infrastructure investment, which is currently only about half of what it needs. The African Development Bank has also reported that it estimates that Africa needs about $130 billion to $170 billion in infrastructure investment annually, which currently only accounts for about a third. It can be seen that developing countries need a lot of investment in promoting economic development.

  Three, from the actual effect, China put forward the "one belt and one way" initiative for more than five years, and promoted the construction of a large number of ports, airports, highways, railways and other infrastructure in developing countries, and carried out a large number of production capacity cooperation, which promoted the local economic development and brought real benefits to the common people.

  Fourth, from the common sense, only those who need money are willing to borrow; from the lender's point of view, only those who have good relations and relatively safe funds are willing to borrow. I don't think it's necessary for a third party to worry about both sides.

  Here are some of my views on debt.

  Next, the Ministry of Commerce will focus on five aspects in promoting the construction of "one belt and one road":

  Firstly, all parties benefit from the project. We will focus on industrial investment, infrastructure interconnection and communication, do a good job in a number of major projects with good comprehensive benefits and great driving effect, improve local infrastructure conditions, help developing countries better participate in the global division of labor, promote economic development and enhance development capacity. At the same time, a number of projects to improve people's livelihood have been implemented to increase the local people's sense of access.

  Second, the establishment of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones. Overseas economic and trade cooperation zones are an important platform for industrial cooperation between China and relevant countries. We will support upgrading and transformation of a number of them. At the same time, we will build a number of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones to accelerate local economic and social development.

  Third, more trade and investment promotion activities should be carried out. We will run all kinds of large-scale exhibitions and face the "one belt and one road" related countries to increase investment attraction and provide more convenient conditions. As we all know, the first China International Import fair was held in Shanghai in November last year, and the effect is very good. The related countries of "one belt and one road" participated actively. We also hold some prominent trade and investment promotion platforms to create more business opportunities for enterprises in relevant countries.

  Fourth, speed up the development of "silk road e-commerce". As you all know, e-commerce, as a new form of business, has played a very positive role in promoting international trade in recent years, with great potential for cross-border e-commerce. Next step, we will build "online silk road", develop "silk road e-commerce", make full use of modern information technology, and expand economic and trade exchanges with relevant countries.

  Fifth, we should promote the construction of free trade zones. On the one hand, we are willing to talk with more willing countries to build a new free trade area. At the same time, we should promote the upgrading of some existing free trade zones, further enhance the level of liberalization and facilitation of regional trade and investment, and form a "one belt, one way" big market.

  Just now you mentioned how Macao participates in the construction of "one belt and one road". Macau has the advantages of both "one country" and "two systems". It is an important window for China to open to the outside world. It is an important part of the Great Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Its geographical location is very unique, its tourism and leisure resources are relatively rich, and it is also an important platform for cultural exchanges between China and the West. There are many overseas Chinese and it has extensive contacts with Portuguese-speaking countries. All these factors constitute the unique advantages of Macao in the construction of "one belt and one road", and are highly compatible with the "five links" of "one belt and one road". It is worth mentioning that the Sino-Portuguese Business and Trade Cooperation Service Platform has been incorporated into the national "12th Five-Year Plan" and "13th Five-Year Plan", as well as the "Outline of Development Planning for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Bay Area" just released, which fully reflects the great importance and strong support of the central government for the construction of the Sino-Portuguese Platform in Macao.

  In recent years, with the vigorous support of the central government, Macao has given full play to its unique advantages in language and culture. Relying on the Forum of Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, Macao has actively built a service platform for Sino-Portuguese business cooperation, and achieved very good results. This forum has become an important platform for the Portuguese speaking countries to join the "one belt and one way". It has not only promoted the economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese speaking countries, but also promoted Macao's international status and international influence.

  Next, we will continue to support Macao's efforts to strengthen ties with Portuguese speaking countries so as to jointly build and share as the guide and give full play to the platform role of Macao, and promote Macao to become a bridge for Portuguese speaking countries to take an in-depth part in the "one belt and one road" construction, so that Macao and Portuguese speaking countries will become participants, CO constructors and beneficiaries of the "one belt and one road" construction. Thank you