Sharing Belt and Road ideas crucial, Xi says

The inauguration of the network came a day after Xi was in Qingdao, Shandong province, to meet with heads of foreign delegations to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.

He called for a concerted effort to safeguard maritime peace and build a maritime community with a shared future.

He also stressed the importance of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the maritime route of the Belt and Road that winds through Southeast Asia and South Asia and to Africa and beyond.

He said it was important for this Silk Road to develop a "blue economy" that works toward the goal of sustainable marine development.