Silk Road Think Tank Association
Feb 23rd, 2016 Shenzhen, China

Lunching of Shenzhen Deklaration

We, about 80 representatives of around 70 think tanks from more than 50 countries, on February 22nd and 23rd, 2016, in Shenzhen, an important city for the “Belt and Road”, participated in the first Silk Road Dialogue jointly hosted by China Center for Contemporary World Studies, Shenzhen Municipal Government and Fudan University, and founded Silk Road Think Tank Association.

We hold the opinion that the ancient Silk Road promoted trade and cultural exchanges among Eurasian civilizations, giving birth to the Silk Road Spirit characterized by peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, mutual benefit and win-win interaction. The Silk Road Spirit is renewed in the new era in the “Belt and Road” Initiative put forward by China. The endeavor also explores new possibilities of the concept of win-win cooperation.

We believe that the “Belt and Road” Initiative is committed to imparting new vigor into the time-honored Silk Road, bringing countries closer and pushing mutually-beneficial cooperation to new heights. Keeping in mind the trends in global economy and catering to the shared expectations of the world community, the “Belt and Road” Initiative will contribute to a balanced and sustainable development of world economy.

We believe that smoother connectivity is the foundation for the “Belt and Road” Initiative. Better connectivity in infrastructure like transport, energy and telecommunication will boost trade and cultural exchanges along the “Belt and Road”, injecting new energy into regional and global socio-economic development.

We believe that the synergy of development strategies is a critical step for the “Belt and Road” Initiative. It is imperative for countries to build multilevel mechanisms for policy communication, explore and expand the convergence of interests for different parties, make and implement cooperation plans together, and timely address the risks and challenges in cooperation.

We believe that embracing the concept of common and sustainable development is the inherent requisite for the “Belt and Road” Initiative. In order to achieve multiple, independent, balanced and sustainable development, the “Belt and Road” Initiative lays emphasis on the concept of green and low-carbon development, gives sufficient consideration to environmental protection, calls for innovation in technology, systems and management so as to explore new horizons for development.

We believe that the “Belt and Road” Initiative entails the vision and dedication of politicians, the active participation of enterprises, media, social organizations, etc, with think tanks playing an important role. The founding of Silk Road Think Tank Association has provided an important platform for think tanks to offer advice on governance and socio-cultural exchanges.

We propose that within the framework of Silk Road Think Tank Association, think tanks conduct discussions and research on the “Belt and Road” Initiative, providing consultation and making proposals to governments on coordination of development strategies and policies and on building mutual trust.

We propose that within the framework of Silk Road Think Tank Association, the participating think tanks boost cultural exchanges, improve the understanding of the “Belt and Road” Initiative while increasing mutual understanding and among peoples of partner countries along the “Belt and Road”, so as to contribute to further strengthening of the relations between peoples and the enhancement of public support.

We hope that the Silk Road Dialogue will follow the principle of being flexible and open, develop into a vehicle for sharing information, exchanging ideas and pooling wisdom, so as to provide intellectual support and social foundation for the “Belt and Road” Initiative.
Contributing to socio-economic, cultural development, mutual trust among nations the “Belt and Road” Initiative will help alleviating development gap, creating new employment opportunities for youth and upgrading quality of lives making our societies prosperous and humane.

We attach high importance to people`s diplomacy bringing closer associations to associations, professionals to professionals, students to students, artists to artists, journalists to journalists, scientist to scientists, families to families.
Let’s work together to contribute ideas and policy advice for the “Belt and Road” Initiative, for the well-being of the people along the “Belt and Road”, for the mutual benefits and common development of participating countries for peace, dignity and mutual benefit of all.