There is a need to further promote people-to-people connectivity in terms of hardware, such as infrastructure and connectivity, and software, such as rules, said Toshihiro Nikai, the chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarian's Union, via video message.

China maintains openness and transparency in infrastructure and debt sustainability, fully embracing these international principles, said Nikai, who is a former secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan.

China adopts a very open approach toward target countries and regions and the international community, making contributions to global peace and stability, he added.

Yasuhiro Sato, vice-chairman of the Japan Business Federation, also known as Keidanren, also speaks for closer cooperation at the symposium.

Li Yi, director of China Media Group Asia Pacific, said over the past 10 years, the Belt and Road Initiative has become an international cooperation platform that is open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial, and a global public product widely welcomed by the international community.

Participants of the symposium held discussions on several topics, including the achievements, international contributions, and future perspectives of the BRI. They put forward insightful suggestions for deepening international cooperation on the Belt and Road from different perspectives.

Many participants expressed their belief that the openness and inclusiveness of the BRI will strengthen policy communications among different countries, bridge differences, and rejuvenate the world economy.