The Tanoto Foundation has donated RMB 100 million to fund, over the next ten years, talent training initiatives between the People's Republic of China and countries in the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) programme.
A donation agreement was signed recently with the Chinese Language and Culture Education Foundation of China, a non-profit foundation established under the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council.
The Tanoto Foundation's donation is in support of the 'Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road', also known as the OBOR development initiative and framework, proposed by the Chinese government to improve connectivity and cooperation among countries through infrastructure building, broadening of trade, and cultural exchange.
"While the OBOR is developing at a rapid pace, there are people in many countries who are unsure about the programme, and misunderstandings and misgivings still exist in some countries and regions.
At the same time, many China entrepreneurs are unfamiliar with the cultures and conditions of other countries in the OBOR programme, resulting in considerable losses expanding their businesses," said Sukanto Tanoto, founder of Tanoto Foundation and RGE Chairman, in his speech announcing the donation.
The idea of establishing a training fund for OBOR is to provide an opportunity and a platform to enhance communication and cultural exchange between people of different countries, so as to build mutual trust and greater productivity in the programme.
The agreement was signed at the Boao News Centre by Zuo Zhiqiang, President of Chinese Language and Culture Education Foundation of China, and Yu Jun, Vice-President of RGE China. Others who presided over the signing ceremony included Qiu Yuanping, Director of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr. Tanoto, his wife Tinah Bingei Tanoto, Founder and Executive Director of Tanoto Foundation, and Mi Weidong, President of RGE China.
Director of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Qiu Yuanping, expressed gratitude at Mr. Tanoto's generous contribution to the training fund. She hopes the fund will enhance mutual understanding among countries, and promote cultural and industrial exchanges beneficial to both domestic and foreign enterprises.
