Arxan forum attempts to forge global dialogue

An international forum designed to serve as a communication platform for China’s Belt and Road Initiative opened in Arxan, Hinggan League on Sept 16, with the aim of developing an international consensus based around shared interests.  

A diverse range of topics was discussed at the event, including global politics, economic development, and the modernization of traditional herding areas. Delegates also discussed utilizing the resources and culture of Inner Mongolia autonomous region to establish regional brands.

Bu Xiaolin, chairwoman of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional People’s Government, highlighted the stunning natural scenery of Arxan to assembled delegates. She pointed out that Arxan literally means “warm and holy spring water” in the Mongolian language.

In recent years, the autonomous region has developed links with various countries in several areas, including through trade, infrastructure, business, and cultural events, she said.

Bu expressed her hopes that the forum would gather the best ideas from around the world to build a communication platform along the Belt and Road, contributing to the establishment of a community of common destiny.

Arxan was listed among the Global Geoparks Network by UNESCO in 2017. The Arxan National Geopark, in the central Greater Hinggan Mountains, has a land area of 3,653 square meters and features an exceptionally dense concentration of volcanic landforms including volcano clusters, hot springs, volcanic crater lakes and granite hills.

The opening ceremony of the forum was attended by Rudy Kiryl, Belarusian ambassador to China; Rajendra K. Pachauri, chairman of the World Sustainable Development Forum; Luosang Lingzhiduojie, executive director of the All-China Environmental Protection Federation; Bakyei Agipar, member of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences; Yin Weilun, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Zhang Enhui, secretary of the CPC Hinggan League Committee.

Inner Mongolia Grassland Culture Protection and Development Foundation and Hinggan League administration office organized a series of promotion events during the forum in the fields of big data, energy, and food processing. A total of 12 projects reached an advanced stage of negotiations, with 18.3 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) pledged by investors. 

Following the second plenary session of the Arxan Forum, five projects were signed on-site.

The high-profile forum attracted a total of 300 foreign and Chinese experts, government officials, business representatives and institute researchers, including attendees from the United States, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Austria.

Bu Xiaolin addresses the opening ceremony of the 2018 Arxan Forum in Arxan, Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Sept 16, 2018. [Photo/Hinggan League Daily]

A group of academics hold a discussion at the 2018 Arxan Forum in Arxan, Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Sept 16, 2018. [Photo/Hinggan League Daily]