BEIJING - Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on Tuesday called for a steady advance of the Belt and Road Initiative to ensure it benefits the people along the routes.

In advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, efforts should focus on policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, financial integration and mutual understanding among the people along the routes, Zhang said at a meeting in Beijing, quoting President Xi Jinping.

He said the progress and results of the Initiative have been greater than expected.

The initiative, proposed by President Xi in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road - a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.