Experts say energy and infrastructure will drive Silk Road policy

Building a Silk Road economic belt and a 21st century maritime Silk Road will lead to a win-win outcome for China and Eurasian countries, experts said.

"The strategy is very ... appropriate, given the potential for energy cooperation between China and these countries," said Misako Takahashi, head of the Asia Pacific and Latin American division at the International Energy Agency.

The cooperation already exists. There are already natural gas pipelines connecting China and central Asian countries and there's potential for further cooperation, she said.

Experts said China's initiative to build a Silk Road economic belt will contribute to win-win cooperation between China and Eurasian countries.

"I'm very much a believer in the development of the economic belt on the Silk Road, which will greatly benefit China and the economies in central Asia and further west," said Urban Rusnak, secretary-general of the Energy Charter Secretariat, an organization that promotes international energy cooperation.

"The economies are highly complementary," Rusnak said in an interview with China Daily. Many Eurasian countries have abundant oil and gas. Meanwhile, Chinese producers of new energy technologies and equipment have opportunities in countries such as Tajikistan, he said.

All countries along the Silk Road other than China are members of the Energy Charter Conference. China is an observer.

Revival of ancient Silk Road 'essential' for Asian nations	Kazakh students say Silk Road will pave way for career openings