Address (never given due to technicalities) at the 2023 Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development from 17 to 18 May, 2023 in Chongqing.[1] * Madame Yue Yanghua, Director General, Secretariat, Silk Road Think Tank Association, Distinguished Organizers of the Belt and Road Forum, Distinguished Guests, My sincerest thanks for the honor of inviting me to be part of this important Forum. The concept of what was originally called the “Silk Road Economic Belt” was announced in September 2013 during a state visit by President Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan. However, I first learned about this extraordinary initiative when President Xi visited … Continue reading →