Belt and Road Initiative shores up China-Mideast cooperation

The Belt and Road Initiative is conducive to promoting connectivity and expanding trade cooperation between China and Middle East countries, experts have said.

The Belt and Road Initiative was a hot topic during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran from Jan. 19 to 23.

Proposed by Xi in 2013, the initiative comprises both the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, with visions to connect Asian, European and African countries more closely and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Belt and Road routes run through the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, connecting the vibrant East Asia economic circle at one end and developed European economic circle at the other.