Chinese investments into the European Union and China reached fresh records last year, despite tough economic conditions at home and  slower global trade. The One Belt One Road initiative could be a new catalyst. That's what investors and business executives told CCTV reporter Martina Fuchs at the International Capital Conference.

The opportunities are vast. Just like the "One Belt One Road" - or OBOR initiative - which refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and aims to revive the historic trade routes by boosting cooperation between China and other countries.

Europe at the far end is also in focus - and targeting more and more energy infrastructure projects.

But it's a bumpy road. Especially geopolitical risks, underdeveloped legal and operational infrastructures, and a lack of funding pose many challenges. I've asked participants here at this conference what the most significant hurdles for them are.

Official figures say there are currently some 900 deals under way along the route, worth 890 billion US dollars.

China says it will invest a cumulative 4 trillion US dollar in OBOR countries, but has not given a timeframe.

Chinese state-owned and private investment in Europe hit a record $23 billion last year, compared to $18 billion in 2014 - despite the slowdown in its domestic economy.

Some of the business people here have come with a lot of cash.

OBOR was first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 and has so far seen over $14 billion invested in various infrastructure projects in countries within the route.

The initiative has no official list of member countries, but the rough count is that some 60 nations are in one way or another taking part.