BEIJING — China will build an open, modern and efficient international road system by 2020 to facilitate international transport and strengthen connectivity among countries along the Belt and Road.

China will advance transport infrastructure construction along the Belt and Road, improve customs clearance efficiency and strengthen emergency rescue capabilities to facilitate international transport, according to a circular jointly released by eight central departments.

The move is aimed to develop economic corridors with countries along the Belt and Road, reduce cross-border transport costs and improve transport services and efficiency, said Wang Shuiping, a senior official of the Ministry of Transport, during a news conference on Dec 6.

Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road is an infrastructure and trade network aiming to connect Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.

Regions along the Belt and Road account for 63 percent of the global population and 29 percent of the global economy, statistics show.