Initiative bearing fruit in Southeast Asia

MANILA - Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are China's primary partners in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, said Xu Bu, the Chinese ambassador to ASEAN, ahead of the organization's meetings, which are currently underway in the Philippines.

The association's development plans - including its Community Vision 2025, AEC Blueprint 2025 and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 - are compatible with the objectives of the Belt and Road Initiative, and China has agreed with the group to integrate and promote development strategies on both sides, Xu said.

Xu said the initiative has made remarkable progress in ASEAN countries in several ways: