The 10th Global Baku Forum on “The World of Today: Challenges and Hopes” featured the seventh panel session themed “China’s role for global development and security”.

The participants of the panel session first viewed the video on the topic.

The session was moderated by former Serbian President Boris Tadic.

In his remarks, former Serbian President Boris Tadic highlighted China’s growing role in world economy, as well as country’s influence on social development and security. Boris Tadic said that the reason standing behind China’s development is the constant implementation of reforms, adding that this defines China’s future and stimulates the global development.

Noting that it is for the first time that he is attending the Global Baku Forum, Special Representative of the Chinese Government for European Affairs, former Under Secretary-General of United Nations, former Chinese ambassador to Germany Wu Hongbo described the Forum as an important international platform, expressing gratitude to Azerbaijani leadership and the Nizami Ganjavi International Center for creating such an opportunity.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Cambodia Khuon Soudary expressed her hope for Forum’s panel discussions contributing to ensure global development and security.

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy said that ten years ago analytics predicted China to suffer failure. However, China turned into one of the main actors in the last 35 years, with the country also being a significant partner.

Noting that he is proud and happy to visit Azerbaijan, former Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz stressed the importance of the Global Baku Forum, saying that the event is being held in the right time. Touching upon the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, Shaukat Aziz said that Pakistan also benefited from this project.

Addressing the session, Former Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, former Tajik Foreign Minister Rashid Alimov spoke about relations between China and Central Asia countries, noting that China turned into an important export hub and Asia’s direct investment source.

Former Romanian Prime Minister Petre Roman said China has made a great leap in economic sphere over the last 40 years, turning into the second largest economy after the U.S.

The panel session continued with discussions.