Joint construction of cooperative zones high on forum agenda

China plans to further advance the building of economic and trade cooperation zones in countries and regions related to the Belt and Road Initiative, said Qian Keming, vice-minister of commerce.

The country will set up new zones in Africa and upgrade some existing ones there, while building more zones in Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America, Qian said.

The government will seek to reach consensus with partners on bilateral investment and infrastructure construction agreements, and establish trade and investment working groups, he said.