On the theme of "Advancing Reform and Opening-up, Promoting Win-Win Cooperation", the 2018 Imperial Springs International Forum came to a successful conclusion on December 11th in Guangzhou.

More than 200 former world leaders, representatives from business circles, experts and scholars attended the forum and shared their view and ideas on China's Reform and Opening-up and the reform of the global system of governance.

Panel discussion of the the 2018 Imperial Springs International Forum (Photo: Steven Yuen)

"Through the 2018 Imperial Springs International Forum, we know that opening-up, advance and cooperation are the only answer for handling complex and changeable situations," said Xie Yuan, Vice President of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. "As the organizer of the Imperial Springs International Forum, we would like to continue to listen the views and ideas about China’s development from new and old friends based on mutual respect."

"Attendees of the 2018 Imperial Springs International Forum reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism and rule based international free trade." Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid indicated. "The guests also analyzed the positive influence of China's Reform and opening-up and stressed the important role the Belt and Road initiative is playing."

Guangdong Vice Governor Ouyang Weimin stated that Guangdong would like to enjoy joint-development and win-win cooperation with the rest of the world through deepening exchange in various areas, such as economy and culture.

Former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei declared the "Imperial Springs International Forum Final Statement" at the closing ceremony.

According to the statement, former world leaders and guests think highly of the Belt and Road Initiative and stress the importance of multilateralism and rule-based governance.

China's experience influences the reform of world's governance system

"More than 700 million Chinese residents have thrown off the yoke of poverty over the past 40 years," said Boris Tadic, former President of Serbia. "This remarkable achievement is helping the world to solve a great number of potential issues, for example, the refugee crisis."

On the second day of discussion at 2018 Imperial Springs International Forum, former world leaders, experts and scholars continued to share their views and ideas on the challenges of global governance.

In many former world leaders' opinion, China is playing a more important role in both global trading and global governance.

"Small countries should not be isolated in today's world," former Prime Minister of Jamaica Bruce Golding said before adding. "All countries should work together to reform the global governance system to be based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation."

Mr. Golding indicated that China has been supporting Jamaica's integration into the international economic system over the past 20 years.

Former Prime Minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama stated that Japan should not only learn from China's Reform and opening-up, but also focus on supporting developed countries.

"We should pursue on reform and opening up rather than protectionism," he added.

Luis Lacalle, former President of Uruguay emphasized that political factors should be removed from economic exchange. In his opinion, this measure can not only guarantee smooth global development, but also can prevent trade disputes between two countries.

Author: Steven Yuen, Zhu Xiaofeng, Wu Ke

Editor: Wing Zhang, Simon Haywood