Preface

“Amity between peoples holds the key to good relationships between countries.” “Connected minds make everlasting friendship.” The Belt and Road Initiative (the Initiative for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, hereinafter referred to as“the Initiative”) aims to promote both economic development and people-to-people connections. Connecting peoples serves as the Initiative’s infrastructure and the driver behind economic and political cooperation. It is hence both a means and an end, and should be considered as an important guarantee for the smooth implementation of the Initiative, and a goal of building the Belt and Road. Only when people-to-people and cultural exchanges are realized, and the minds of peoples are connected, can the road toward understanding and the bridge of friendship be built. The community of common interests, responsibilities and destiny will then take shape and elevate development and partnerships in the region.