China National Convention Center in Beijing Photo: VCG

China initiated the Beijing Declaration for global entrepreneurs at the CEO Conference held during the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing on Tuesday, calling for efforts to adhere to openness and cooperation, while safeguarding the WTO-centered and rules-based multilateral trading system as uncertainties rise in the global economy. 

The declaration has five parts, including adhering to openness and cooperation, deepening connectivity cooperation - such as a pledge to actively participate in infrastructure development - and enhancing trade liberalization and facilitation. 

It also calls for efforts to promote green development, strengthen cooperation on the digital economy, as well as lawful operations and fulfilling social responsibility.

"We welcome business communities from more countries to join the initiative, jointly create more opportunities for common prosperity under the initiative, and work together to broaden this 'road to happiness' that benefits the world," the declaration said.

According to information from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, this year's CEO Conference has attracted more than 1,200 participants from both China and foreign countries. Among the foreign representatives are more than 20 ministerial-level officials, heads of 33 business associations, and representatives of 59 Fortune 500 companies.

More than 300 company representatives from China and abroad have signed agreements at the conference. The Global Times learned that the agreements, covering artificial intelligence, biomedicine, modern agriculture and financial services set records in terms of both the number of deals and the value of contracts. 

The third BRF opened on Tuesday in Beijing. The two-day conference will be held under the theme "High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity." This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Anna Nesterova, chairperson of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, who is participating in the event, told the Global Times on Tuesday that she believes this is a good platform for new projects and cooperation, not only between Russia and China but also among all the countries that have joined the joint construction of the BRI.

"We will meet with business partners and start negotiations for future contracts," Nesterova said, noting that China is one of the alliance's cherished partners, and it has substantial potential.

Aidan Heavey, chairman of Eurasia Fund, who also attended the CEO conference on Tuesday, said that he believes the BRF brings people together and highlights investment opportunities.

"It's a great showcase for Chinese business. The advances made here are just fantastic and anybody who comes here can understand what participating companies have achieved in the past 10 years, which is just fantastic and all very positive," Heavey further noted.

Heavey's company is establishing a global investment fund, a collaborative effort involving China, the Middle East and Europe, with the purpose of investing in renewable projects across Africa.

"I think the important thing is that from the Belt and Road, the conference in itself allows companies to come to China, not just go to the conference, but to make visits. Companies meet partners here, and go and see the manufacturing plants here," he said, noting that China is leading the world in renewable energy with its technologies and companies.

"That's the sort of companies and experiences that the rest of the world needs," Heavey said.