Govt: Wrong to label Belt and Road Initiative a geo-strategic tool

It is a misinterpretation to regard the country's Belt and Road Initiative as China's geo-strategic tool as the initiative is aimed at pursuing shared benefit for all parties involved, a spokesman said during the opening news conference of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

"The Belt and Road Initiative is a proposal for economic collaboration and it focuses on the connectivity and aims to achieve win-win outcome," said Zhang Yesui, China's vice-foreign minister.

Zhang said the initiative is guided by the principle of pursuing shared benefits through consultation and collaboration and all participants are equal partners. It is an open and inclusive platform and does not exclude or target any country, but it is opens to all those who are interested.

"The hope is to pull strength together to create more opportunities for global economic growth and shared prosperity of all countries."

Zhang said that in the past five years the initiative has come to fruition with positive outcomes in infrastructure connectivity and financial facilities.

"In the meantime policy communication are becoming deeper, corporation mechanisms are being strengthened and collaboration on the ground are unfolding," he said.

Zhang added that as the initiative is still at the early stage, it is natural for the initiative to face challenges.

"We welcome all positive and constructive opinions and we believe that all parties work together for the shared benefits through dialogue and close communication, the Belt and Road Initiative will deliver great results," he added.