29 heads of state are gathered in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum that was officially opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Belt and Road Initiative was launched in 2013 by President Xi, and has been dubbed the world’s most ambitious project yet, with at least 60 countries expected to gain from it, accounting for at least four billion people
The project will see the creation of a network of trade routes that seek to connect Asia, Africa and Europe.
In his opening address, President Xi said the project is open to all countries around the world.
“China’s Belt and Road Initiative is based on the historic roots of the Silk Road, it focuses on Asia, Europe and African continents, and is open to all friends,” he said.
African leaders who are attending the two-day Forum are expected to make appeals to President Xi to ensure the project creates job opportunities for locals in their countries, as well as influence infrastructural development.
Also in attendance is the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
