China launches Belt and Road cooperation initiative on trade connectivity

Starting 2018, China will host the China International Import Expo, according to the cooperation initiative on trade connectivity released Sunday at the ongoing Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The expo will not only further open the door for foreign imports into China, but also provide an international platform to facilitate trade growth worldwide, according to the initiative.

The decision to host the expo is an important measure that China has taken to push economic globalization and support multilateral trade, said Roberto Azevedo, director-general of the World Trade Organization.

"I'll be happy to attend the first China International Import Expo next year," he said.

China is willing to establish free trade areas with interested countries and regions, and will step up infrastructure cooperation with Belt and Road countries to facilitate trade, according to the initiative.

In the next five years, China is expected to import goods worth more than 2 trillion U.S. dollars from countries and regions along the routes, while investment into these areas should reach 150 billion U.S. dollars during the same period.

China will offer 10,000 research and training opportunities for citizens of Belt and Road countries and regions, to help workers enhance their skills.

Zhong Shan, China's commerce minister, said that he believed the initiative will continue to win support in the future, and that will be a boon for globalization and trade growth worldwide.