China urges increased Belt and Road connectivity

Zhang Gaoli calls for more efforts to promote facility connectivity, by further improving the network of infrastructure, with equal importance attached to both the "hard connectivity" of transportation systems on the ground, at the sea, in the air and on the internet and also the "soft connectivity" of policies, regulations and standards. Priority should be given to the projects of railway, road, air transportation, shipping, telecommunication, power grid, oil and gas pipelines and energy internet in the construction of a modern infrastructure system. 

The first China-Europe freight train from London arrives back in Yiwu, China's Zhejiang province, on Saturday, April 29, 2017. [Photo provided to China Plus]

Zhang Gaoli says work should be done to further facilitate trade and create robust market along the routes of Belt and Road. In 2016, China's trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 1.07 trillion US dollars. China's direct investment in Belt and Road countries hit 14.5 billion US dollars.

Zhang says work should be done to further promote free trade and investment, and increase the openness of regional markets. Zhang proposes a Belt and Road free trade network to boost regional and global economic growth.

Zhang says financial connectivity should be further enhanced so as to establish a multiple-front investment and financial system focusing on the Belt and Road Initiative. Innovation in exploring new investment and financing models should continue so as to create a multi-layered financial platform. Zhang encourages financial institutions to set up more cross-border branches and to create a financial system that is stable, sustainable, and capable of risk control.

Zhang also urges countries to further enhance people-to-people exchanges along the routes of Belt and Road. Zhang says today, there is an even more urgent need to revitalize the spirit of the ancient Silk Road. Zhang urges strengthened cooperation in education, science, culture, media, healthcare and enhancement of people with different cultural backgrounds to learn from each other. Zhang also suggests tourism products be created featuring the Silk Road. Zhang also says work should be done to promote a lifestyle that is low-carbon, environmentally friendly, and sustainable within the countries engaged in the Belt and Road program.