Full coverage: Belt and Road Initiative

More than 300 guests have gathered in the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an for an international seminar on the Belt and Road initiative. The seminar's theme is ”shared memory, common development." Participants come from think tanks, media groups, businesses and government departments aound the world.

Influential businessmen, government representatives, and international academics are in Xi'an to support the Belt and Road Initiative. 

The new Silk Road will especially benefit central Asian countries like Uzbekistan.

“Being in Xi’an, I saw you have extremely good airport, I wish the same kind of airport can be built in central Asia. Strong innovation exchange is important …to give benefits to the countries and region," said professor Mirzokhid Rakimov, Nat'l University of Uzbekistan.

China is the largest foreign investor in Uzbekistan. Earlier this year, the two countries completed the construction of the longest railway tunnel in Central Asia…

A line that connects the country's capital, Tashkent with the eastern city of Namangan.

China is also building an industrial park in Uzbekistan. The park will boost development in the country's energy, transportation, chemicals, and high-tech sectors. But getting everything off the ground is not easy.

“I think the instability issues, we saw a number of countries and regions..Ukraine, middle…" said the professor.

The new silk road is an international initiative. Multi-lateral engagement, mutual understanding, and cooperation will benefit the entire region, and the world.

“Its well known there is no single path of development of humanity …Belt and road united us, because infrastructure, innovation development is all making countries to go forward I think it is a positive..make impact between different countries and regions around the world," professor Mirzokhid Rakimov said.