Since President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, which includes the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, in 2013, more than 60 countries along the ancient trade routes have echoed the initiative and worked out their own strategies to push forward its implementation.

The ancient Silk Road is not only a trade route but also a road of friendship that promoted cultural exchanges and shared knowledge among civilizations, said top legislator Zhang Dejiang in May.

This year, China will host the first International Cooperation Summit Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative, which Xi said will offer a platform for the countries to conduct candid exchanges and bring together their wisdom.