Editor's note: The Silk Road Think Tank Network, known as SiLKS, was established in Madrid on Oct 28 to inspire think tanks to promote cross-border cooperation and build a community of shared interests and responsibilities to achieve mutual political trust, economic integration and cultural inclusiveness. An excerpt of its declaration is as follows:

For more than two millennia, the land and maritime Silk Road has linked the major civilizations of Asia, Europe and Africa while fostering trade and cultural exchanges. It has long been held as a major symbol of communication and cooperation between the East and the West.

Today, carrying forward the Silk Road spirit of "peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefits", SiLKS currently has 43 members and partners, including think tanks and international organizations from 27 countries. It is a global effort to promote economic cooperation, cultural inclusiveness, peace and development throughout the world. Together with major global organizations, SiLKS can develop and prosper.

SiLKS intends to be an open and inclusive network. Think tanks, international organizations, government agencies, companies and nongovernmental bodies are all encouraged to join as partners. It is hoped that experts, government officials and business leaders will become advisers to SiLKS.

In the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, SiLKS will take full advantage of its members and partners' expertise. Sharing best practices, up-to-date research and policy ideas will all be encouraged to stimulate discussions. It is hoped that international consultations, the exchanging of ideas and the sharing of research results will serve to bring about better economic and social development for all nations.

The 43 founding members and partners, strongly believe that, through communication and coordination, SiLKS will function as an intellectual resource for the world and will benefit governments globally. Each country will enhance its understanding of other nations, as well as tap into the potential of international cooperation.

Our ambition is to build on high-level cooperation in which all nations can participate.