On 15th April, at the invitation of the Center for Asia and Pacific Studies (CAPS) of Tallinn University of Technology (TTU), Chinese Ambassador to Estonia H.E. Mr. Qu Zhe attended the Students Conference with the theme of "The Belt and Road Initiative and its impact on International Relations". Vice Rector of TTU, Professor Renno Veinthal, Head of International Relations Department of TTU, Professor Peeter Müürsepp, Director of CAPS, Dr Vlad Vernygora and more than 50 students from International Relation Department of TTU participated the conference.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Qu thoroughly introduced the Belt and Road Initiative to the participants. He stressed that the Initiative is based upon the principle of openness, inclusiveness, multi-benefit and will follow market rules and international norms. He said policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial exchange and people-to-people bond have been targeted as priority areas, and substantial progress has been made so far. He remarked that, by proposing the Road and Belt Initiative, China contributed its solution to multiple problems the world is facing today because the Initiative will bring about various new opportunities for all participating parties and countries. Ambassador Qu briefed on the overall implementation of the initiative with zoomed in approach, focusing on four levels of China's cooperation with EU, the Central and Eastern European Countries, Baltic States and Estonia.

 At the conference, four student representatives presented their research on the Belt and Road Initiative from different perspective. Mr. Qu exchanged views with the students after their presentation, and encouraged them to go further with their research and come up with constructive recommendations on the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.