BEIJING — China's high-quality economic development will provide stronger impetus and broader space for the joint construction of the Belt and Road (B&R), State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Dec 18.

Wang made the remarks at the 2020 meeting of the Advisory Council of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation via video link.

Wang said the international cooperation under the B&R has shown strong resilience and vitality in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak and has played an important role in fighting the pandemic, stabilizing the economy, and protecting people's livelihoods.

To make the B&R a model of cooperation, health, recovery and growth, Wang stressed mutual benefit, further international cooperation in the face of COVID-19, and coordination of epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, and called for tapping new momentum in the world economy.

Noting China is forging a new development paradigm marked by "dual circulation," Wang said China's market will be further opened as its potential is fully stimulated.