BEIJING - Nearly 100 representatives from 11 countries gathered in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss media cooperation among countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Officials, diplomats and media representatives from China, Russia, India, Iran and some central Asian countries are attending the Silk Road Economic Belt Media Cooperation Forum.

China is willing to strengthen media cooperation with relevant countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt, said Li Haifeng, vice chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, when delivering a keynote speech.

Li noted that discussing the media's role in the Silk Road Economic Belt is important to promote mutual understanding and beneficial cooperation among the countries.

China's initiatives to build a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st-century maritime Silk Road, known as the "One Belt and One Road," were put forth by Chinese President Xi Jinping during two separate visits to Central Asia and Southeast Asia in 2013.

President Xi Jinping's proposed "Silk Road Economic Belt" revival project could involve over 40 Asian and European countries and regions with a combined population of 3 billion.

Infrastructure biggest challenge for Silk Road	China to work with countries on 'Silk Road Economic Belt'