On the first day of the Seminar on Fiscal and Tax Management for BRI Partner Countries, the program managers from XNAI taught participants to recite “How happy we are to meet friends from afar!” in Chinese which sparked their immense interest. These six Chinese characteristics became a defining motto of the whole seminar.

This seminar is sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and co-organized by the Academy of International Business Officials (AIBO) and Xiamen National Accounting Institute (XNAI), was held in Xiamen, China from October 15 to 21, 2024. 32 financial and tax officials from Cuba, Egypt, Jordan, Liberia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Nepal, and the Solomon Islands gathered at XNAI, embarking on a journey of mutual learning and exchange.

At the opening ceremony, Ms. Zheng Yong, the vice president of XNAI, stated that the seminar aims to promote peer exchange, deepen mutual understanding, and facilitate experience sharing among BRI Partner Countries.

32 participants gained a deeper understanding of the Belt and Road Initiative from seven thematic lectures and field visits during the seminar. These activities facilitated peer exchange of experiences in the formulation and implementation of fiscal policies, and collectively explored new pathways to address the demands of the times through reform and cooperation.

Professor Deng Liping, a member of the NPC Standing Committee during the 12th and 13th terms, represented the 75-year development journey of the People's Republic of China.

Other lecturers provided detailed introductions to China's relevant policies and management experience in public finance and taxation. Ms. Zheng Yong shared the achievements of China's budget performance management reform and the key measures for its further deepening. Ms. Dai Liangjun, the director of the Tariff Department of the Ministry of Finance, systematically explained China's tariff system.

The participants traveled to Shenzhen, a pioneering city in China's reform and opening-up, and visited the Exhibition of the 40^th anniversary of the Reform and Opening Up of the Pearl River and Guangdong since the spring tide. Participants visited the statue of Comrade Deng Xiaoping at Lotus Hill Park. From the hilltop vantage point, they overlooked the bustling panorama of the Special Economic Zone, witnessing firsthand the vibrancy of its development. During their visit to BYD's headquarters, the participants gained an up-close understanding of the achievements and valuable experience of China's new energy vehicle industry in technological innovation, financial digitalization, and corporate management.

In Xiamen, 32 participants paid a visit to the Yundang Lake, gaining a more tangible understanding of the Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-Civilization and the remarkable transformation of Xiamen City. Beside Yundang Academy, the participants showed great interest in the Tai Chi performance and actively joined in. While appreciating the charm of traditional Chinese culture, they also experienced firsthand the warmth, hospitality, and openness of the people of Xiamen. In Dazhai Village, they excitedly tried on traditional costumes, singing and dancing with joy—a moment where traditional Chinese opera culture blended perfectly with the exotic flair of the participants.

As the seminar drew to a close, Dr. Liang Haijian, the lecturer from XNAI, led the participants in a review of their memorable seven-day journey. During the concluding session, the delegates shared their reflections, expressing gratitude to the institute for the organization of insightful lectures, field visits, and exchange activities, all supported by meticulous logistical services. Many of them emphasized that the experiences shared during the seminar would be highly beneficial for their future work and expressed their intention to apply the knowledge gained to fiscal and tax reforms in their home countries. At the closing ceremony, a participant from Malaysia conveyed her heartfelt appreciation to XNAI with a sincere "Qian En Wan Xie （千恩万谢）" in Chinese.