Belt and Road projects ideal for Western firms

The Belt and Road Initiative, comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, has borne enough fruits in its third year, yet it is expected to yield much more in the future.

More than 100 countries and international organizations have become part of the China-led initiative, and over 30 countries along the two routes have signed cooperative agreements with China. The Belt and Road Initiative has also won the approval of important economic blocs such as the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and quite a few member countries of the two blocs have signed trade and investment agreements with China. Moreover, the United Nations resolution on Afghanistan passed three months ago voiced vocal support for the initiative, encouraging all UN member states to take part in it to revive the war-stricken country's economy.

Last year alone, Chinese enterprises invested at least $14.5 billion in markets which make up the network that connects Asia, Europe and Africa, and covers more than 60 countries and regions with a population of about 4.4 billion. They have also set up some 65 trade cooperation zones along the way.