China's Belt and Road initiatives not solo, but symphony

BEIJING - China's Belt and Road initiatives are not its "solo," but a "symphony" of all relevant parties, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

The vision of the initiatives is common development, and the goal is win-win progress through cooperation, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

"If I may use a musical metaphor, the initiatives are not China's solo, but a symphony performed by all relevant countries," Wang said.

In advancing the initiatives, China will act according to the principle of "wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits," he said.

"We will carry out equal-footed consultation and respect the choice of other countries," Wang added.

China will be sensitive to the comfort level of other parties, ensure transparency and openness, align the initiatives with the development strategies of other parties, and create synergy with existing regional cooperation mechanisms, he said.

Wang said the initiatives should not be compared with the Marshall Plan.

"China's Belt and Road initiatives are both much older and much younger than the Marshall Plan. Comparing one to the other is like comparing apples to oranges," Wang said.

The initiatives are older because they embody the spirit of the ancient Silk Road, which had a history of more than 2,000 years.

The Silk Road was used by people of many countries for friendly exchange and commerce, and the country must renew the spirit and bring it up to date, according to the foreign minister.