Belt, Road creating worldwide opportunity

Foreign officials hailed more openness, sustainability and connectivity of the Belt and Road Initiative as highlighted by President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Friday.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said China has been supportive of international cooperation and multilateralism, despite global challenges such as stagnating growth, climate change and geopolitical uncertainty.

"It is in this context that the BRI assumes remarkable and urgent importance," he said in a speech at the opening ceremony. "It offers a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the creation of a prosperous world for all, and to reverse the negative impact of climate change."