第2章 Introduction:The Star-studded "Belt and Road"

On September 7,2013,Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at Kazakhstan's Nazarbayev University,telling college students the ancient yet up to date stories of the Silk Road with well-versed wisdom.

"More than 2,100 years ago during the Han Dynasty(206 BC-AD 220),a Chinese envoy named Zhang Qian was sent to Central Asia twice on missions of peace and friendship.His journeys opened the door to friendly contacts between China and Central Asian countries,and started the Silk Road linking east and west,Asia and Europe.

Shaanxi,my home province,is right at the starting point of the ancient Silk Road.Today,as I stand here and look back at that history,I seem to hear the camel bells echoing in the mountains and see the wisp of smoke risingfrom the desert,and this gives me a specially good feeling.

Kazakhstan,located on the ancient Silk Road,has made an important contribution to the exchanges between the Eastern and Western civilizations and the interactions and cooperation between various nations and cultures.This land has borne witness to a steady stream of envoys,caravans,travelers,scholars and artisans traveling between the East and the West.The exchanges and mutual learning thus made possible the progress of human civilization."[1]

"Countries of different races,beliefs and cultural backgrounds are fully able to share peace and development.This is the valuable inspiration we have drawn from the ancient Silk Road,"[2]and"to forge closer economic ties,deepen cooperation and expand development space in the Eurasian region,we should take an innovative approach and jointly build an economic belt along the Silk Road."[3]

With caring,vision and leadership,President Xi Jinping,in Astana,[4]Kazakhstan,made a historic declaration that would rejuvenate the spirit of the ancient Silk Road for the first time to the world.

On October 3,2013,President Xi Jinping gave a speech titled"Work Together to Build a 21st-century Maritime Silk Road"at the People's Representative Council of Indonesia.

"Southeast Asia has since ancient times been an important hub along the ancient Maritime Silk Road.China will strengthen maritime cooperation with the ASEAN countries,and the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund set up by the Chinese government should be used to develop maritime partnership in a joint effort to build the ‘Maritime Silk Road’ of the 21st century."[5]And"the two sides need to give full rein to our respective strength to enhance diversity,harmony,inclusiveness and common progress in our region for the benefit of both our people and the people outside the region."[6]

This initiative,along with the speech on September 7,conveyed a consistent message and harmonized seamlessly,bringing to fruition the ambitious vision of the"Silk Road Economic Belt"and the"21st Century Maritime Silk Road".

Stretching from the expansive Eurasian hinterland of Kazakhstan to the breathtaking landscapes of Indonesia,Xi Jinping's proposed"Silk Road Economic Belt"and"21st Century Maritime Silk Road"have captured the world's attention.From September 2013 to August 2016,Xi visited 37 countries(18 in Asia,9 in Europe,3 in Africa,4 in Latin America and 3 in Oceania),and fully elaborated on the overall framework and basic connotation of the"Belt and Road"initiative.The Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation,openness and inclusiveness,mutual learning,and mutual benefit,combined with the idea that projects should be jointly built through consultation to meet the interests of all,dispels the haze of"de-globalization"and injects new kinetic energy into the sluggish growth of the world economy.Many countries have linked up their own economic development to the"Vision and proposed actions outlined on jointly building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road"proposed by the Chinese government.

The"Belt and Road"initiative advocates policy coordination,facilities connectivity,unimpeded trade,financial integration,and people-to-people bond.With the emphasis on infrastructure build-up,economic andtrade cooperation,industrial investment,energy resources development,financial support,people-to-people exchanges,ecological environmental protection,and marine cooperation,the initiative has set off a new momentum in investment,trade activity,technological innovation,and production capacity cooperation in the world.In 2016,China led the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB),which was joined by 57 member states.On March 23,2017,it welcomed 13 new partners.The Bangladesh Power Distribution System Upgrade Expansion Project,the Indonesia National Shanty Town Transformation Project,the Pakistan National Highway Project and the Tajikistan Dushanbe-Uzbekistan Border Road Improvement Project have received financial support from the AIIB.The idea of joint project implementation through consultation to meet the interests of all has since turned into reality.

The"Belt and Road"initiative has garnered enthusiastic support from the international community.On November 17,2016,during the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly,all 193 member states unanimously passed Resolution A/71/9,warmly embracing the"Belt and Road"proposal.This resolution encouraged nations worldwide to actively engage in the development of the"Belt and Road"and called upon the international community to ensure a secure environment for its successful implementation.On March 17,2017,the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2344,calling on the international community to rally assistance to Afghanistan,and bolstering regional economic cooperation through initiatives like the"Belt and Road".The resolution further emphasized the need for all stakeholders to establish a secure and stable environment for the successful execution of the"Belt and Road"initiative.

In January 2017,President Xi Jinping delivered a momentous speech titled"Work Together to Build a Community of Shared Future for Mankind"at the United Nations Office in Geneva.This address provided a comprehensive and systematic exposition of the pivotal concept:creating a global community of shared future,which resonated with audiences worldwide and elicited widespread acclaim and enthusiastic responses from a diverse array of stakeholders.On March 23,during the 34th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council,two resolutions were unanimously adopted,focusing on"economic,social and cultural rights"and the"right to food".These resolutions explicitly expressed the intent to"build a community witha shared future for mankind"through the development of the"Belt and Road"initiative.This historic inclusion of the concept of"building a community with a shared future for mankind"in the UN Human Rights Council's resolutions underscored its significance within the international human rights discourse.In May 2017,Beijing played host to the First Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation,attended by delegates from countries involved in the"Belt and Road"initiative,including heads of state and government,former leaders,leaders of international organizations,experts,scholars and distinguished entrepreneurs.They endeavored to enhance cooperation and stimulate development.

The"Belt and Road"is not a solo act by China but rather a symphony performed in concert with countries across Asia,Europe,Africa and the rest of the world.China steadfastly upholds the principles and objectives outlined in the UN Charter,maintaining a commitment to openness and cooperation,harmony and inclusiveness,as well as policy dialogue.It fosters political trust,builds cooperative consensus,coordinates development strategies,promotes trade facilitation and enhances multilateral cooperation mechanisms.China has joined hands with more than 100 countries and regions to co-create a new Eurasian continentalbridge.This has been accomplished by taking advantage of international transport routes that are supportive of the central cities along the"Belt and Road",and building key economic and trade industrial parks as a platform for cooperation.China-Mongolia-Russia,China-Central Asia-West Asia,China-Pakistan,Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar,China-Indochina Peninsula and other international economic cooperation corridors are progressing smoothly.China Railway Express accentuates trade and shipping overland between China and Europe with a bright future.Meanwhile,key sea ports also serve as the nodes to jointly build a smooth,safe and efficient transportation network,and hence enables a close connection between land and sea routes.Together with the overland cargo train transportation,the frequent cargo ships sailing on the Pacific,Indian and Atlantic Oceans poses an amazing picture.In summary,the relevant resolutions or documents of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation,the Asia-Europe Meeting,and the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation program all embody the"Belt and Road"initiative.By bringing together the world's wealth,Silk Road Fund,development finance,and supply chain finance strive to build a green,healthy,intelligent and peaceful Silk Road,and enhance the well-being of people around the globe.

The"Belt and Road"is a grand blueprint that has never been seen in human history.It is also a warm heart line that connects Asia,Africa and Europe to countries around the world."The Silk Road Economic Belt"includes China via Central Asia,Russia to Europe(Baltic Sea),China via Central Asia,West Asia to the Persian Gulf,the Mediterranean Sea,China to Southeast Asia,South Asia,and the Indian Ocean;the"21st Century Maritime Silk Road"includes from China's coastal ports to the South China Sea as well as the Indian Ocean that extends to Europe and the South Pacific.Friendly exchanges among countries are just a camel-ride and a boat trip away from each other.

In this new era,as we embark on the grand journey of revitalizing the spirit of the ancient Silk Road,President Xi Jinping took a moment to honor the trailblazers of the Silk Road and offered a special tribute to the visionary founders of its enduring spirit:

"In ancient times,our ancestors struggled through deserts and sailed in boundless seas to transport Chinese products to countries overseas,taking a lead in international friendly contact.Along that path,Gan Ying,Zheng He and Ibn Battuta were all known as envoys of this China-Arabfriendship.Through the Silk Road,Chinese inventions like paper-making,gunpowder,printing and the magnetic compass were spread to Europe,and Arabic conceptions like astronomy,the calendar and medicine were introduced to China.

For hundreds of years,the spirit that the Silk Road bears,namely,peace and cooperation,openness and inclusiveness,mutual learning,mutual benefits and win-win results,has lived on through generations."[7]

There is a Chinese saying that when you drink the water,think of those who dug the well.The implication that the Chinese people never forget history is clearly demonstrated in our excellent cultural tradition of commemorating the sages and at the same time looking forward to the future.It also points out the direction and path for the Biography Society of China to participate in the"Belt and Road"initiative.

On the ancient Silk Road,we have never forgotten Zhang Qian's diplomatic missions to the western regions in Han Dynasty that include the world's biggest landlocked country Kazakhstan,the good neighbor Pakistan with high mountains and beautiful rivers,the double-headed eagle across Eurasian country Russia,grassland country Mongolia,Himalaya floating paradise Nepal,Bodhi Ganges blessed country India,cultural treasure Iran,the first Codex System member country Iraq,Red Sea gateway Yemen,oil kingdom Saudi Arabia,the Persian Gulf pearl Bahrain,cedar country Lebanon,Gulf Star Kuwait,desert peak UAE,the Peninsula pearl Qatar,and Oman-the gatekeeper of Hormuz Strait at Persian Gulf,thousand-lake country Belarus,Turkey at the Eurasian crossroads,Israel-a land flowing with milk and honey,Ukraine of European granary,Italy-the cultural pinnacle of Apennines,Switzerland at the top of Alpine,rose country Bulgaria,and Germany,a nation famous for great thinkers,France,the center of the European culture,the welcoming and comfortable Belgium,tulip country Netherlands,the warm and sunny Spain,as well as the elegant Britons,pyramid country Egypt in North Africa,Ethiopia on the roof of Africa with the national flower of calla lily,the great Vanilla Island country Madagascar,and so on.

Along the Maritime Silk Road,we will come across Malaysia,the country of jungle gardens,garden country Singapore,the Thousand Islands country Philippines,and Indonesia,an emerald on the equator line.Down the Lancang-Mekong River all the way south,we will experience Vietnam whose land moistened by the Lancang-Mekong River,Thailand,the country of thousand Buddhas,the smiling country of Khmer Cambodia,and Laos,the"Land of a Million Elephants".On the Indian Ocean,we will also see the ocean pearl Sri Lanka,the ocean star Mauritius,the rich and abundant Brunei,the freedom seeker Timor-Leste,the idyllic Maldives,and Australia,a country on the back of the sheep,New Zealand,the back garden of God,and so on.

In the countries along the"Belt and Road",those ancient and modern figures who have influenced the destiny of mankind,countries and nations for thousands of years and had dealings with China are still seen in today's textbooks,movies and television dramas.Their influence and charm are still felt by generations of young people.

Certainly,for the Chinese people,we are more familiar with the pioneers of the Silk Road.Have we ever remembered?Among the trail blazers of the Silk Road were Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty and his envoys,Emperor Li Shimin,the co-founder of the Tang Dynasty that epitomized a golden age and his countless subjects,the Song imperial court andnumerous sages who continued good-neighbor practice and friendly maritime navigation,as well as the Yuan Dynasty warriors who led armored cavalry with shining spears,the Ming Dynasty figures who unified the country,and the Qing Dynasty characters who maintained a clear mind during global turmoil,as well as the modern individuals who,by learning from both the west and the east in a time of rapid change,had the courage to build a sea power nation.There were also the guardians of Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes known as the Silk Road Pearl,the generals who safeguarded the country and helped the neighbors,and the diplomats who convey information and messages between China and foreign countries.Without a doubt,it is our current era that features true heroes.We can not praise highly enough the contemporary people who have been plunging themselves into the development of the new Silk Road.

Diligence bears fruit,the flame of tradition stays ablaze,wisdom is passed down,and the wheels of history keep turning!The over 2,100-year history of friendly exchanges has never been severed,and the China-Western connectivity benefiting three continents has never come to a halt.The"Chinese Dream"and"World Dream"of the 21st century have converged to form the zeitgeist of a sharedhuman destiny,echoing across the vast expanse of the"Belt and Road".For this very reason,in the autumn of 2023,President Xi Jinping,along with friends both old and new from across the globe,gathered in Beijing to attend the Third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum.Representatives from different countries and international organizations joined the event as invested guests,once again drawing the world's attention towards Beijing and China.Over the past decade,through the concerted efforts of all involved,the"Belt and Road"initiative has evolved from a Chinese proposal to international practice,from a mere idea into tangible action,from a vision to reality.It has progressed from"sketching the outline"to"filling in the details",yielding concrete and substantial outcomes.It has been welcomed by the international community as a public good and a cooperation platform."Belt and Road"cooperation has extended from the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America,with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations signing"Belt and Road"cooperation documents.Three sessions of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation have been successfully convened,and more than 20 specialized multilateral cooperation platforms have been established under the"Beltand Road"initiative.[8]This marks an occasion of profound significance,one that merits a place in the annals of both Chinese and world history.

Countries along the"Belt and Road"possess rich histories and cultural traditions of their own.Throughout history,they have produced countless admirable figures whose contributions have played pivotal roles in fostering mutual understanding among diverse cultures,thus facilitating understanding and collaboration among people from various countries.

The Biography Society of China,dedicated to biography writing,has embraced the mission of"telling well the inspiring stories of remarkable lives along the Belt and Road initiative."This mission is not merely a duty;it's a fundamental responsibility placed upon us by our nation.Under the leadership of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and guided by the National Institute for Global Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences,the Biography Society of China,driven by unwavering patriotism,a deep sense of the times,and a dedication to the responsibility of documenting lives,embarked on the compilation and publication of"The Legend of the People along the Belt and Road Nations".This monumental series,spanning a hundred volumes,narrates the stories of nearly a thousand remarkable individuals from diverse nations.It is the result of the diligent efforts of hundreds of expert writers who worked tirelessly day and night,across seasons and years.With deep gratitude,this endeavor received generous support from various quarters and found publication through Sino-Culture Press under the China Publishing Group,as well as Contemporary World Press and China Intercontinental Press.Thanks to their generosity and commitment,readers now have the opportunity to delve into this vibrant yet substantial,captivating yet educational collection of biographies from countries along the"Belt and Road."

Confucius once said,"Humanity is of humans".May the intellectual brilliance of sages and wise individuals from various nations illuminate our path as we explore the future of humanity.

The biographies are written with lofty ideals in mind.This serves as the introduction.

President of the Biography Society of China

Director of the Editorial Board of"The Legend of the

People along the Belt and Road"

Dr.Wang Li

October 18,2023

注释

[1]Xi Jinping:The Governance of China.3rd ed.,Foreign Languages Press,Beijing,2018,p.315.

[2]Xi Jinping:The Governance of China.3rd ed.,Foreign Languages Press,Beijing,2018,p.316.

[3]Xi Jinping:The Governance of China.3rd ed.,Foreign Languages Press,Beijing,2018,p.317.

[4]The name of the new capital of Kazakhstan.

[5]Xi Jinping:The Governance of China.3rd ed.,Foreign Languages Press,Beijing,2018,p.321.

[6]Xi Jinping:The Governance of China.3rd ed.,Foreign Languages Press,Beijing,2018,p.323.

[7]Xi Jinping:"Promoting the Silk Road Spirit and Deepening China-Arab Cooperation."Key note speech at the opening ceremony of the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum,section one,People's Daily,June 6,2014.

[8]Xi Jinping's keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum,October 18,2023, or=pc.