Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde ahead of the opening of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be held from April 25 to 27 in Beijing.
China appreciates Lagarde’s efforts in promoting cooperation between China and the IMF, and supporting international cooperation on joint construction of the Belt and Road, said Xi.
China speaks positively of the good relationship with the IMF and expects to deepen bilateral cooperation.
More and more countries have taken part in the construction of the Belt and Road, which is a good proof that the Belt and Road initiative is in line with the development need of different countries and enjoys immerse popularity among peoples, said the Chinese president.
Xi said China welcomes the IMF and other international organizations to play a more active role in the construction of the Belt and Road, so as to provide better public goods to countries along the Belt and Road routes.
Xi stressed China’s stance on maintaining a strong, well-resourced IMF, and expressed the hope that the IMF’s quota and governance reforms will move forward with the times, and reflect the representativeness and right to have a say of emerging market economies so as to match their statuses in the world economy.
Lagarde said the Belt and Road Initiative is a significant manifestation of China’s leading role in international affairs. She also spoke highly of China’s leading role in supporting multilateralism.
The world needs China and the global economic growth is inseparable with China’s sustainable development. China’s economic policy are prudent and effective, said Lagarde.
According to Lagarde, the IMF attaches great importance to its cooperative partnership with China and thanks China for its support over a long period of time. The IMF is willing to offer help in the joint construction of the Belt and Road, she said.
The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road.
