Participants, including a number of former foreign prime ministers. presidents and business leaders, take a group photo during the annual Imperial Springs Forum, which was held in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, over the weekend. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A number of former politicians and business leaders reached a consensus in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, to build harmonious cities under the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The participants agreed to develop cities along the Belt and Road, which was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping to foster closer ties between China and countries and regions involved, in a environmentally-friendly way and to strengthen regional cooperation.

The consensus was reached after the annual Imperial Springs Forum, which was held over the weekend in Guangzhou and attended by more than 100 representatives. These included some former foreign prime ministers, presidents and business leaders.