President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, Nov 10, 2017.[Photo/Xinhua]

The Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, illustrates the philosophy and vision of a shared future for mankind.

Proposed by Xi in 2013, the initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa via overland and maritime routes.

The establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), which was launched at the 2014 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, proves China's determination in pushing forward an open and integrated economy.

The FTAAP will add $2.4 trillion to the global economy, according to the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council.

China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind on the basis of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation is different from the zero-sum game that used to dominant international relations.

"China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion," said Xi while delivering a report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last month.

Having been left behind, China is now taking the lead to transform the winner-takes-all game to an all-winners game.

On Monday, China proposed that the ASEAN leaders' meeting announce the start of consultations on the text of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to achieve a more peaceful and sustainable international order.

All parties involved believe that peace is mandatory for development, and sincere cooperation can boost shared economic growth.