China signs cooperation agreements with 86 entities under Belt and Road

China's top economic planner said Friday that 86 countries and international organizations have signed 100 cooperation agreements with China under the Belt and Road Initiative.

He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said the initiative made major headway in 2017, citing progress in key areas including capacity, investment and the Digital Silk Road.

Steady progress was also made in the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Key accomplishments in the last year include: the Mombasa-Nairobi railway; the beginning of construction on the Hungary-Serbia railway as well as the Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates; and the transfer of operations of the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka to a Chinese firm.

So far, more than 7,000 cargo train trips have been made between China and Europe, said He.

In 2018, the NDRC will focus on the implementation of agreements reached at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing in May, continued He.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes to seek common development and prosperity.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)