BEIJING — Vice-premier Zhang Gaoli on Sept 13 called for a steady advance of the Belt and Road Initiative to ensure it benefits the people along the routes.

In advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, efforts should focus on policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, financial integration and mutual understanding among the people along the routes, Zhang said at a meeting in Beijing, quoting President Xi Jinping.

He said the progress and results of the Initiative have been greater than expected.

Vice-premier Zhang Gaoli calls for a steady advance of the Belt and Road Initiative to ensure it benefits the people along the routes at a meeting in Beijing on Sept 13. [Photo/Xinhua]

The initiative, proposed by President Xi in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road — a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

China has signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) with more than 30 countries along the routes on Belt and Road projects. Zhang called for the sound implementation of the MOUs and the development of a mutually-beneficial cooperation model.

He underscored the role played by financial cooperation, the creation of a multi-layered financial platform, and the establishment of a long-term, stable, sustainable, risk-controllable financial security system that could serve the initiative.

Zhang said China will further standardize the investing behavior of Chinese companies, and formulate effective measures to ensure the implementation of key cooperation projects.