Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, President, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the symposium and delivered an important speech on the 4th symposium of Belt and Road construction, which convened in Beijing on December 2, 2024. He stressed that promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation has both opportunities and challenges in the face of grave and complicated international situations, but overall, opportunities outweigh challenges. He asserted we must strengthen strategic confidence, maintain strategic focus and act courageously with a sense of responsibility to create a brighter future for Belt and Road cooperation. Professor Liu Qian, Deputy Dean of Belt and Road School, attended the symposium as a representative of academic experts.