People's Daily:
Mr. Yang, in recent years, the central government has attached great importance to the Belt and Road Initiative. One big part of the initiative is the connectivity of transportation infrastructures and the convenience of international transportation. What progress we have made recently? What projects have been implemented, and what projects could be expected?
Yang Chuantang:
The Ministry of Transport has been actively pushing forward the connectivity of transportation infrastructures among countries along the Belt and Road (the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road). We follow the principles of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and work hard on the following aspects.
First, intesify the connectivity of technical standards on transportation infrastructure construction of the countries along the Belt and Road, so as to build regional transportation infrastructures networks fitting those countries' needs; second, strive to form complex three-dimensional transportation infrastructures backbone networks; third, gradually form and adapt to standard transportation rules and convenient customs clearance procedures and specific approaches; fourth, improve the construction and cooperation in human resources with countries along the Belt and Road.
In general, during the process to push forward the connectivity of transportation infrastructures, we must follow President Xi Jinping's instruction to promote the connectivity of hardware, software and culture.
The railway, as strategic transportation infrastructure, is important to the initial development of the Belt and Road Initiative. With the joint efforts from relevant state departments, railway enterprises and other forces, the railway "go global" plan has made good progress. China is building railways for Indonesia, Laos, Hungary and Serbia, while there are also light-railway projects in Pakistan and railway projects in Africa, and Brazilian subway systems. China's railway technical equipments have been exported to many countries around the world. China-Europe CR Express has become a major brand for the Belt and Road Initiative. It now has 39 railway lines that can reach 13 cities in eight countries. This year we have the trains running 1,685 times, a 107 percent increase year on year. We will play an active role in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative and benefit the people in countries along the routes. Related works are underway. Thank you.