A forum bringing together foreign guests from countries involved in the BRI is held at Jining University in Shandong province on Oct 18. [Photo/Shandong News]

A forum bringing together foreign guests from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was held at Jining University in Shandong province on Oct 18.

The event, aimed at promoting exchange and development between countries participating in the initiative and Jining, a city in Shandong province, was attended by 15 guests from 12 countries involved the BRI, including Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, South Africa, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Laos, and Vietnam.

During the forum, a promotional video highlighting Jining's cultural and tourism development was shown. The Jining Talent Development Center and Jining Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism each presented policies for talent development in the city and the promotion of cultural and tourism resources. The Jining Friendship Association and Jining Municipal Bureau of Commerce introduced economic and trade exchange cooperation between ining and its friendship cities in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Attendees shared their personal experiences while studying in China and discussed the importance  of the BRI on both their countries and the world. 

They praised the BRI for its ability to bring together various resources from different countries and for its contribution to global development and prosperity.

During the forum, participating guests expressed their admiration for Jining's reputation as the homeland of Confucius and Mencius and "the capital on the Grand Canal".