Initiative helping nations in development paces

A lot of progress has been made since China launched the Belt and Road Initiative three years ago with the aim of boosting trade and infrastructure through better connectivity among countries across Asia, Europe and Africa. As Liu Qibao, a senior publicity official, said at a seminar in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, the outcomes have been better than expected.

The initiative, comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21 Century Maritime Silk Road, has received resounding support from countries along the routes. By the end of June, more than 40 countries and international organizations had signed inter-governmental cooperative agreements or memorandums of understanding with China on Belt and Road projects. Tremendous economic benefits to be reaped by countries along the routes serve as the main incentive behind their enthusiasm.

China has for years been the strongest engine of global economic growth, contributing more than a quarter to global growth in 2015. Embracing the Belt and Road Initiative means sharing the benefits of China's miraculous economic rise over the past decades.