Xi said at the symposium that the initiative has contributed to deepening China's friendship with participating countries and has helped promote these countries' economic and social development.

As Belt and Road cooperation ushers in a new stage of high-quality development, Xi said efforts should be made to ensure that Belt and Road cooperation benefits China while continuing to bring a sense of gain to the countries involved, thus effectively safeguarding China's overseas interests and security.

Xi said BRI development should be guided by the eight major steps to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation that he announced last year at the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The eight major steps include building a multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network, advancing scientific and technological innovation, and strengthening institution building for international BRI cooperation.

For more resilient and sustainable BRI development at a higher level, Xi said coordinated efforts are required to deepen connectivity in multiple fields, ranging from infrastructure to people-to-people ties, to push forward signature projects, as well as small-scale yet significant projects, and to steadily expand cooperation in emerging sectors.

He also stressed the need to strengthen institution building for high-quality cooperation under the BRI in terms of cooperation planning and management, industrial and supply chain cooperation, and guaranteeing overseas interests, among other things.

Xi reiterated that the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation must be brought forward by following the blueprint with steadfast efforts despite risks and challenges, thus making greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang, who chaired the symposium, said all departments and governments at all levels should continue to improve top-level design for Belt and Road cooperation, formulate practical measures, deepen cooperation with other countries and strive to create more exemplary and leading achievements.