Full coverage: Belt and Road Initiative

China has proposed the “Belt and Road” initiative to better engage with the region and the world. It was introduced by President Xi Jinping in 2013.

More than 70 countries and international organizations have already joined China’s initiative. A total of U.S.$14 billion has already been invested by Chinese enterprises in countries along the route. Under the new Silk Road plan, China launched six economic corridors that link together all of its neighbors in Asia and Europe.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was one of the first corridors to start construction, receiving U.S.$46 billion. Investment from China is approximately 20 percent of Pakistan’s GDP.