Connectivity has been the unremitting pursuit of human society since ancient times. ‘Better Roads lead to Better Life’, a well-known idiom in China explains this concept incisively. The Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road closely connected Asia and Europe long time ago, on which many travelers, navigators and explorers, as well as camel teams and fleets with different kinds of commodities busied to and fro. Thanks to these two roads, Asia and Europe learned from each other and promoted their respective prosperity through exchanges.
互联互通自古以来就是人类社会的不懈追求。“要想富，先修路”这句话对很多中国人来说耳熟能详，精辟概括了中国人长期以来对此重要性的深刻认识。历史上，陆海两条丝绸之路将亚欧大陆紧密联系在一起。在这两条通道上，运送瓷器、茶叶、香料等商品的驼队和船队络绎不绝，高僧玄奘、航海家郑和以及旅行家马可·波罗的名字熠熠生辉。正是借助这两条道路，亚欧之间互通有无，互学互鉴，促进彼此的文明与进步。
Today, unprecedented interdependence among countries further highlights the importance of connectivity. Since 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward the strategic Initiative ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’ and ‘21st Century Maritime Silk Road’, aimed at bringing relevant countries closer, so as to create and enjoy harmonious and peaceful lives together. This Initiative links Asian-Pacific Region and Europe, sponsors for peaceful development, win-win cooperation, openness and inclusiveness. It inherits spirit of ancient Silk Road, conforms to trend of globalization and desire of common development, and provides an inclusive platform connecting China’s economy and interests of countries along the belt and the road.
当今国家间相互依存空前，更凸现加强互联互通的重要与必要。2013年以来，中国国家主席习近平先后提出建设“丝绸之路经济带”和“21世纪海上丝绸之路”的战略构想，旨在通过互联互通拉近各国距离，共同创造并享受和谐安宁的生活。“一带一路”贯穿亚欧大陆，东连亚太，西达欧洲，是和平发展之路、合作共赢之路和开放包容之路。这既是对历史上古丝绸之路的传承和提升，又顺应了时代要求和各国加快发展的愿望，将中国经济与沿线各国利益紧密结合，是一个包容的互利共赢平台。
It is delighted to note that momentum between Asia and Europe for connectivity has been even stronger. In 2013, a three-dimensional network of interconnection and communication has been strengthened through Connecting Europe Facility program. During President Xi Jingping’s historical visit to the EU in 2014, both sides confirmed the great potential to improve their transport relation, and decided to develop synergies between the EU policies and China’s ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’ Initiative to jointly explore common initiatives. Recently, the APEC Connectivity Blueprint has been endorsed in Beijing, which set a vision of achieving a seamless and comprehensively connectivity in 2025.
我们欣喜地看到，互联互通已日益成为欧亚双方的共识。2013年，欧盟互联互通项目强化了综合性立体互联互通网络。2014年3月，习近平主席访欧期间，中欧都认为双方加强交通运输关系潜力巨大，决定共同挖掘中国丝绸之路经济带倡议与欧盟政策的契合点，探讨在丝绸之路经济带沿线开展合作的共同倡议。在亚太地区，不久前的北京APEC会议也通过了《亚太经合组织互联互通蓝图》，设立2025年亚太互联互通的远景目标。
At the same time, connectivity is getting an increasingly wide support. In June 2014，UNESCO adopted a joint application of China, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan and included East section of the Silk Road in the World Cultural Heritage List. In July, two young men who named themselves ‘Big Holland’ and ‘Small Holland’ started a journey of exchanges from Shanghai in China, they traveled 11 countries along the ancient Silk Road and arrived at their hometown Rotterdam at last in October. In December, the first ‘New Line of YI Wu China to Europe’ train arrived in Madrid, taking 17 days and 13000 kilometers across 12 countries. The train took Christmas gifts from China to Europe and brought back Spanish red wine, olive oil and other European products, which enriched the New Year menu for the Chinese people.
与此同时，互联互通获得了更为广泛的支持。2014年6月，联合国教科文组织通过中国、哈萨克斯坦、塔吉克斯坦三国的联合申请，将丝绸之路东段5000公里路段列为世界文化遗产。10月，自称“大、小荷兰”的两个小伙子驾车完成从中国上海出发、途经古丝绸之路11个国家的交流之旅，最终抵达鹿特丹。12月，首辆“义新欧”铁路班列历时17天，途经12国，行程13000公里，抵达马德里。班列为欧洲民众带去了来自中国的圣诞礼物，回程则满载西班牙红酒、橄榄油等欧洲产品，丰富了中国民众的新年餐桌。
All of these manifest that the One Belt and One Road Initiative is contributing to the connectivity of culture, personnel and trade among relevant countries, and bringing true benefits to people. China is ready to further expand its opening up and share opportunities of development for mutual benefits, and become as supporter, builder and beneficiary of the One Belt and One Road Initiative together with interested countries. As long as China and the EU continue their cooperation in infrastructure construction, regulation coordination and personnel exchange, comprehensive connectivity and common market of Asia-Europe will be realized definitely. It will also deepen the China-EU partnership of peace, growth, reform and civilization. Asian and European countries, like the lights at night, will always be shining and flaming with further promotion of connectivity.
事实表明，新形势下“一带一路”的建设势头正不断加强，深化着沿线国家文化、人员及经贸的互联互通，给人民带去实实在在的好处。中国愿进一步扩大对外开放，与各国共享发展机遇，实现互利共赢，一起成为“一带一路”的支持者、建设者和受益者。相信只要中欧双方继续在基础设施、制度规章、人员交流方面合作协调，一定会加强亚欧大联通，共建亚欧大市场，进一步丰富中欧和平、增长、改革、文明伙伴关系内涵。亚欧各国就像一盏盏明灯，只要不断加强互联互通，一定能发出更璀璨的光芒。