China encouraged the United States to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, which it said has "opened the gate of opportunities" for US enterprises, China's ambassador to the US said on Monday.

Ambassador Cui Tiankai said at the International Finance and Infrastructure Cooperation Forum in New York that China hoped the US takes a proactive role and attends the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which is scheduled for May 14 and May 15 in Beijing.

The Belt and Road is an open and inclusive platform for development and cooperation, not an arena for geographic strategy, he said in the keynote speech in New York, at the forum hosted by Bloomberg LP and the China General Chamber of Commerce.