Euro Asia Forum to discuss closer trade ties

Closer ties between China, Russia and Central Asian nations will be the main theme of the 2015 Euro Asia Economic Forum in Xi'an Quijiang International Conference Center from Sept 24 to 26.

"The Silk Road Economic Belt will bring together Asia and Europe with closer trade and cultural ties," Chen Yuan, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) during a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Chen was referring to the Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, which is a trade and infrastructure network that includes the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

The network connects Asia, Europe and Africa and passes through more than 60 countries and regions with a population of about 4.4 billion.

Meanwhile, the biennial Euro-Asia Economic Forum was first held in China in 2005. Xi'an was named the permanent venue of the forum in 2007.