2017年CRI Belt and Road is China's 'centennial development plan' expert

 

Stephen Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, is pictured in Beijing on May 13, 2017 before attending the Belt and Road Forum¹ for International Cooperation. [Photo: China Plus/Victor Ning]

An expert on China-UK relations said the “Belt and Road” initiative is a “centennial development plan” created by China that will transform the world economy.

Stephen Perry is Chairman of the 48 Group Club, a London-based trade association that has for decades championed bilateral² ties between the UK and China. Perry talked to China Plus in an exclusive interview before attending the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

Perry said he realized the “Belt and Road” initiative was going to be an impactful program after Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the idea in a speech during a visit to Kazakhstan in 2013.

“When I first heard him speak in Kazakhstan in 2013, I said to people ‘This is very significant,’” said Perry. “Of the enormous movement of people, ideas and trade, right from the western coast of Europe, right across the eastern coast of Asia, that he was talking about rebuilding up based on trains, energy and telecommunications. It was obvious that China was creating what I call a ‘centennial development plan,’” noted³ Perry.

Perry said just as the Industrial Revolution and the opening up of the American west had both transformed the world, the “Belt and Road” initiative is going to bring new impetus⁴ to the modern world economy.

“The Belt and Road is going to transform the world. It’s going to connect 85% of the population of the world by land. There is the sea route, which will connect southern Asia, southeastern Asia, right through to Africa, which is already beginning to opening up a lot of trade between Africa and Asia. When the Middle East hopefully can connect into it as well, you will have this fabulous⁵ (route) from the Pacific, to the Atlantic, through the Indian Ocean and the south Atlantic Ocean,” explained Perry.

Perry chairs the 48 Group Club, which was founded by his father Jack⁶ Perry and has promoted UK-China ties for more than six decades. The organization’s name derives⁷ from a 1954 trade mission by 48 businessmen from British companies to China.

Perry’s current visit to China will see him attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will open on Sunday and feature an opening speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“The highlight of the agenda is going to be hearing President Xi Jinping speak. I have been listening to his speeches since he became the President of China. They are never just for the record. His speeches are always profound, well thought out and contain concepts which are new and innovative,” said Perry.

Perry said many of the world’s developed nations are beginning to realize the tremendous growth potential offered by the “Belt and Road” initiative. As the Brexit negotiations⁸ loom⁹ large, Perry said the UK stands to gain independence in its trade relations and from the global vision of the “Belt and Road” initiative.

“London is a respected financial center. And perhaps working with Chinese friends and local nations, we can help create new financial centers. We can help to create a new Silk Road law because there are unique features to the legal system and dispute resolution. And using some of our creative industries, our high technology, we should be able to find a number of areas for joint¹⁰ venture development with Chinese and local nations. So it could not have come at a better time for the British,” said Perry.

Perry is among the 1,500 guests from some 70 organizations in over 130 countries attending the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

1 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

2 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 impetus   

n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力

参考例句：

• This is the primary impetus behind the economic recovery.这是促使经济复苏的主要动力。
• Her speech gave an impetus to my ideas.她的讲话激发了我的思绪。

5 fabulous   

adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的

参考例句：

• We had a fabulous time at the party.我们在晚会上玩得很痛快。
• This is a fabulous sum of money.这是一笔巨款。

6 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

7 derives   

v.得到( derive的第三人称单数 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取

参考例句：

• English derives in the main from the common Germanic stock. 英语主要源于日耳曼语系。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He derives his income from freelance work. 他以自由职业获取收入。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

9 loom   

n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近

参考例句：

• The old woman was weaving on her loom.那位老太太正在织布机上织布。
• The shuttle flies back and forth on the loom.织布机上梭子来回飞动。

10 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。