Officials added that in fact many local companies in Jinan – including China National Heavy Duty Truck Group (Sinotruk) and Jier Machine-Tool Group – have been making practical moves and providing a vivid demonstration of the benefits of promoting free trade, strengthening the opening-up and expanding international cooperation.

Sinotruk, founded in 1956, introduced the Austrian Steyr heavy-duty vehicle project in 1983, becoming the first local company to bring foreign heavy-duty vehicle manufacturing technology to China.

The company has since been building a global network of distribution, service and accessories with nine overseas factories and equipment part storehouses built in 12 countries or regions covering Asia, Africa and Latin America.

It has expanded in trade and production capacity in collaboration with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, with its products now exported to over 110 countries and regions.

Experts from those B&R countries are bullish about the future.

"There are more opportunities for exports and imports to Asia," said Monthian Xayasith, deputy editor-in-chief of the Champamai Newspaper in Laos.

"Now the Laotian and Chinese governments have begun to build a railway, many trucks from China (Sinotruk) will be transported to Laos," added the newspaperman, expressing confidence and high expectations about the future partnerships between Sinotruk and his country's companies.

Sinotruk, too, is confident about the future.