On March 28, Professor Wang Zhiming, the Director of Research Institute of Globalization and China's Modernization presided over the lecture "The Geographical Layout of One Belt One Road and the Positioning of Shanghai" at the third symposium of 2016, which was held by China Maritime Museum and sponsored by the Committee of China Maritime Museum, the Committee of Maritime History and Culture under China Institute of Navigation.

Professor Wang's speech focused on three aspects: the geographical, economical and political value of One Belt One Road (OBOR), Shanghai's regional advantage in OBOR and the indispensable role in promoting the cooperation of industrial capacity. He then stated that OBOR, a regional cooperation plan based on geographical environment, plays a critical role in strengthening Eurasian integration. Then the topic moved on to the geo-advantage of Shanghai. Shanghai has unique geographical and political advantages since since it is the largest city along the OBOR route as well as being the conjuncture of "Silk Road Economic Belt" and "the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road". Moreover, as a leading city in Yangtze River Economic Belt, Shanghai is committed to developing into an international hub of economy, finance, shipping and trade. Shanghai and its neighboring cities, which are known as The Yangtze River Delta city group, are linked to a group of cities: the Jianghuai area, middle reach of Yangtze river, Sichuang Province and Chongqing Municipality, Guizhou Province, and Yunnan Province. These 6 city groups together form a city group chain which not only connects the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and "the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road" but also reaches the New Eurasian Land Bridge and the economic corridor of China, Bangladesh, India and Myanmar.

Subsequently, Professor Wang analyzed the economic, political, and geographical advantages of Shanghai and gave multiple suggestions on how to take these advantages to promote OBOR. To be specific, Shanghai is bound to break new ground for OBOR initiative, since it is the largest recipient of FDI, has abundant experience in port construction and management, and R&D expenditure greatly exceeds the average level. Therefore, it is advisable that Shanghai makes use of its talents and constructs an international finance hub, shipping center and free trade area. In addition, Shanghai should give full play to its advantage in industrial capacity with a view to promote industrial capacity cooperation with other countries and to form an opening-up pattern with the constant interaction between the east and the west.

After the speech, Professor Wang communicated and interacted with the audience on topics of the opportunities and challenges of OBOR initiative, and the prospect of China's marine program.