Participants at a forum in Beijing on Monday said China should work to strengthen trade and investment ties with all relevant countries so as to promote the development of the“Silk Road Economic Belt”.

The Silk Road Economic Belt Media Cooperation Forum was held by the People’s Daily, with the aim of pushing forward economic and urban development of countries along the route of the economic belt.

“Trade and investment are a very good entry point to boost the project as countries along the route have a solid and long history of trade relations with each other,” said Zhao Jinping, an economist at the Development Research Center of the State Council.

Tong Daochi, assistant minister of commerce, said China aims to build partnerships with other countries so as to find opportunities to boost trade growth.

“We will focus on expanding open markets and deepening services in customs, quality assurance, e-commerce and transit transportation,” Tong said.

He also said China will import more energy resources and agricultural products from countries along the route.

And Tong added: “We will also promote the import of non-resource products to help increase employment and economic development of these countries.”

The "Silk Road Economic Belt" revival project proposed by President Xi Jinping is expected to involve more than 40 Asian and European countries and regions with a combined population of 3 billion.

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