Bucharest, 23.09.2019 – Launching Ceremony “The Silk Road Community Building Initiative in Romania”

The Silk Road Community Building Initiative was launched as part of the joint efforts by China and Romania to build the Belt and Road.

“The Belt and Road is an ambitious initiative that will bring prosperity to the world and a new economic impetus in Romania,” said Minister of Economy Nicolae Badalau at the launching ceremony held in the historical Ghica Palace in downtown Bucharest.

Under the leadership of Mrs. Xu Lvping (NGO Network for International Exchanges – CNIE), important stakeholders from China came to Bucharest, each of them representing NGOs, interested in the success of the Road and Belt Initiative. CNIE enhances bilateral non-governmental exchanges in order to strengthen collaboration in the framework of BRI initiative. B2B meetings, organised by Romania–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, took place and visitors from China showed interest in activities of Steinbeis Network in Romania.

Meeting took place at House of Danube (Ghica Palace), as the location is known due to its historical track as a center for cultural diplomacy. Visitors received a short intrduction into the history of the venue and its importance to diplomatic relations of Romania and cultural diplomacy even before its international recognition in its current state entity. Contribution is for EU Strategy for Danube Region which is so important for the Three Seas Initiative and thus for 17+1 CEE format in relationship with China and development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

On occasion on this high-level event in Bucharest, the new BELT and ROAD Network Center at House of Danube was introduced. This Center is the first one of fhis type and will be model for further Centers. It resurrects the vivacity of Romanian cultural and business relations with China. And for Chinese institutions BELT and ROAD Network Center Bucharest acts as gate to Europe. Thus, modest contribution for the beginning by hosting such a cultural center is the first step into further projects.