On May 10, representatives from 11 overseas NGOs were invited by the Public Security Bureau to attend a forum in Beijing on the “One Belt and One Road”, the international development framework proposed by the Chinese government that includes the land-based “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “Maritime Silk Road”. The invited NGOs included the World Economic Forum, the US-China Business Council, the American Energy Foundation, the World-Wide Fund for Nature and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. In addition, the foreign relations and commerce departments of Tsinghua University and Peking University were present at the forum.
During the forum various organizations expressed an interest in the One Belt and One Road initiative, including the American Energy Foundation and the World-Wide Fund for Nature, which both proposed environmental conservation and sustainable development projects within the belt and road framework, and called for an increase in low-carbon emission and environmental protection projects. Aside from this, Project Hope, the French Merieux Foundation and the China Medical Board set forth proposals for women and children’s health consultation, surgical training, medical assistance, humanitarian aid and public health projects. Furthermore, the Turkey International Silk Road Economic Trade and Cultural Association expressed interest in a trade exchange service and information sharing platforms, while the Shin Shin Education Foundation proposed poverty alleviation and elementary school rehabilitation in regions within the scope of the initiative.
A spokesman for the Public Security Bureau’s office on the management of overseas NGOs says that the department will cooperate with banks, tax administrations and overseas departments to ensure convenience for overseas NGOs that work with One Belt One Road initiatives.
