China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave a press conference on March 9, in which he presented China’s plans for the upcoming second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, or BRF. He said that it was China’s most important diplomatic activity of the year, and that President Xi Jinping will deliver the keynote address.

According to Xinhua, Wang said the event,

“will have more foreign heads of state and government than the previous forum [two years ago] and thousands of delegates from over a hundred countries are expected to attend. It will include a series of events, such as leaders’ round table, high-level meeting, thematic forum, CEO conference, under the theme of Belt and Road cooperation shaping a brighter shared future.”

Wang also stated that,

“China will build consensus with parties on high-quality cooperation following the principle of consultation, cooperation and shared benefits; champion an open, transparent and inclusive approach to Belt and Road cooperation, and strive for green and sustainable development. Meanwhile, China and the participating countries will seek a greater complementarity between the BRI and their development strategies.”

He concluded: “We have reasons to hope and believe the second BRF will be a greater success,” than the first one.