Int'l Forum on Belt and Road Port Cities kicks off

TIANJIN, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The International Forum on Belt and Road Port Cities marks an important step in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative, Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Thursday.

Li, also secretary of Tianjin Municipal Committee of the CPC, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the International Forum on Belt and Road Port Cities held in northern China's Tianjin Municipality.

He said the Belt and Road Initiative will become an important platform for exploring a new pattern of global governance and building a community of shared future for mankind.

It will also bring new historic opportunities to Tianjin, he said, adding that the city will seize the opportunity and be integrated with the initiative.

Song Tao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, also addressed the opening ceremony, saying that closer cooperation between port cities will provide strong support for the development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Politicians, officials of port cities, entrepreneurs, and think tank scholars from about 40 countries are attending the forum, which bears the theme "Forge Development Synergy Across Land and Over Sea." Enditem