Pedestrians walk past a Bank of China sign at its branch in Beijing, March 26, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

4. First bonds issued for the Belt and Road Initiative

Bank of China said on June 25, 2015 that it had successfully raised the equivalent of $4 billion from the international bond markets for the Belt and Road Initiative.

The money will support projects to boost infrastructure links between Asia and Europe.

This is the largest amount of bonds issued at one time by the Bank of China abroad, in four currencies – the yuan, US dollar, Singapore dollar and euro.

Through its overseas branches, the Bank of China raised $2.3 billion, five billion yuan, 500 million euros and S$500 million. The Bank of China plans to increase its credit scale to $100 billion in the coming three years for Belt and Road projects.