by Guo Mingfang
VILNIUS, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road initiative gives the world strong hope that a peaceful world is an achievable goal, said a Lithuanian expert.
"Such a strong expression of China's commitment to actively help build the world that engages in dialogues and friendship shows a peaceful world is an achievable goal for humanity," Dr. Vytis Silius, director of the Centre of Oriental Studies in Vilnius University in Lithuania, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Silius said a sustainable peace is a longstanding goal and hope of many peoples across the globe.
Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
According to Silius, through more bilateral talks, China and Lithuania could formulate specific goals and find concrete projects to achieve these goals.
He said bilateral relations and mutual understanding should be further strengthened through support of academic, educational cooperation and cultural exchanges.
"This would build a strong foundation for future economical and infrastructural cooperation facilitated by mutual trust and understanding," he said.
Silius added it was important that development also focus on global ecological challenges, and that there is a deeper understanding of cultural premises of the world's people.
