A legacy for the future

Silk Road economic belt is a blueprint for China and Central Asian countries to build a community of common interests

On Sept 7, 2013, while visiting Central Asia, President Xi Jinping proposed that China and the countries of Central Asia draw on the inspiration of the ancient Silk Road and join hands to build on their friendly cooperation over the past 20 years to construct a Silk Road economic belt. This initiative represents a blueprint for common development and common security that will improve the lives of people throughout the region.

The trade volume between China and Central Asian countries has increased a hundred-fold over the past two decades, and China has become the biggest trade and investment partner of these countries. China's accumulative direct investment has reached more than $20 billion. In addition, cooperation among China, Russia and the four Central Asian states within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has advanced smoothly.