President Xi Jinping acknowledges the applause after his speech at the "Forging A Strong Partnership to Enhance Prosperity of Asia" Lecture at the National University of Singapore, Nov 7, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

China welcomes neighbors to join 'Belt and Road' initiative

In the address, Xi also said China's neighboring countries are the primary cooperation partners under the Belt and Road Initiative and should be the first to enjoy the benefits of it.

The China-proposed initiative, he added, is dedicated to development, cooperation and openness, and characterized by equality and mutual benefit on the basis of consultation, cooperation and sharing.

Over 60 countries and international organizations have expressed interest in active involvement, and a number of major bilateral and multilateral projects have been under way, he noted.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013 and comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.