Expectations are running high for the 3rd 21st Century Maritime Silk Road China (Guangdong) International Communication Forum that will be held at the Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center in Shizimen from Oct 21 to 23.

"I'm very delighted to attend the upcoming '21st Century Maritime Silk Road' China (Guangdong) International Communication Forum. In the meantime, I look forward to meeting college students in Zhuhai to share my thoughts about economics and some life experience. See you in Zhuhai on Oct 22." Sir Angus S Deaton, 2015 laureate of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, proclaimed in a video.

Datuk Wu Hengcan, chairman of the Malaysia Han Culture Center, expressed hopes that the forum would gather opinions of experts and scholars from along the Belt & Road so as to facilitate cooperation between different countries and regions.

David Gosset, founder of Euro-China Forum, said, "This year the 3rd ‘21st Century Maritime Silk Road’ Forum is especially important, and very soon we will be meeting in the beautiful city of Zhuhai."

Last year's forum [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Meanwhile, Vasily Pushkov, head of international cooperation of Russia's Sputnik news agency and radio, expressed how he felt about the event: "We are delighted to be a part of this international media integration process and we are positive that this forum will bring further understanding and cooperation between all the participating organizations."

Chi Fulin, president of the China Institute for Reform & Development, said the goal is to establish the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a world-class bay area with fast development speed, the largest scale, and the most distinctive characteristics in the world.

They are among the 300 foreign and domestic guests invited to participate in the event, which will also welcome 18 media heads from 18 countries and regions.

The forum will consist of a master session on Integration of the Maritime Silk Road and Greater Bay Area Development, and three sub-forums: External Communication of Greater Bay Area Development, Media Integration in International Communication Innovation, and City Image Building under the Belt & Road Initiative.

A sci-tech corridor will highlight the latest achievements in media integration and outstanding cultural-tourism photos of countries along the Belt & Road.

Supportive activities such as Heavyweights on Campus, promotions of Zhuhai's city images, and circus shows will also be held on the sidelines of the forum.

The event will be hosted by China Media Group and the People's Government of Guangdong Province. The Publicity Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Zhuhai Municipal People's Government will handle local arrangements.