BEIJING, Sept. 25 -- The 2023 Global Sustainable Transport Forum kicked off on Monday in Beijing, the capital of China.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng attended the opening ceremony and read a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the letter highlighted the importance of building a sustainable transport system to high-quality economic and social development, and elaborated on China's clear commitment to promoting global transport cooperation and providing the world with new opportunities through its own development.

The letter also stressed the importance of upholding extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit practices in the development of sustainable transport, so that such development delivers more benefits to people around the world. Upholding these practices will certainly play a crucial role in promoting global sustainable transport development and common prosperity, He said.

Countries around the world should work together to boost transport connectivity, expedite green transport transformations and build smart transport infrastructure to create a sustainable transport system that is safe, convenient, efficient, green, economical, inclusive and resilient, the vice premier said.

China is willing to work with all parties to promote the "hard connectivity" of transport infrastructure and enhance "soft connectivity" of system rules. By doing so, it will contribute to the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the realization of the U.N. 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.