2018年CRI Cultural event in Germany boosts exchanges among B&R countries（在线收听）

An international cultural and economic exchange event that brings together people from 11 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative is underway in western Germany.

The event in Duisberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, called "Blue Container on the New Silk Road", aims to promote economic and cultural cooperation between countries taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Feng Haiyang, the China's Consul General in the German city of Dusseldorf, says the event has attracted participants not only from China and Germany, but also from other Belt and Road partners such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Greece, Austria, and Switzerland.

"The event 'Blue Container on the New Silk Road' provides the German people with an opportunity to get a closer look at the colorful, diverse cultural charms of different countries, as well as the extensive and profound culture found along the old Silk Road," says Feng.

The mayor of Duisburg, Soren Link, says the event will provide a boost to the development of cross-cultural relationships between countries who have become economic partners.

"Since the China-Europe freight train service was launched, we have been looking forward to adding more cultural elements into the Belt and Road Initiative. Now, through efforts from all parties, we have successfully translated this thought into reality, by holding this event here in Duisberg. The city's government hopes that the event will help to promote mutual understanding between the German and Chinese people, enhance mutual benefits, and further facilitate German-China cooperation," says Link.

Bolat Nussupov, the Kazakh ambassador to Germany, hopes that Kazakhstan can serve as an important hub for trade between China and Europe along the Belt and Road.

"The volume of freight containers loaded onto trains from China to Europe that cross Kazakhstan is 100 times larger than it was just five years ago. That figure is quite encouraging. We hope that the number will continue to grow, so as to further boost cooperation between enterprises from Kazakhstan, China, and the European Union," says Nussupov.

The event, held until June 10th, features activities including fine arts exhibitions, cultural performances, as well as forums to boost trade and economic cooperation among the Belt and Road countries.