China's initiatives in building a Silk Road Economic Belt and a modern Maritime Silk Road will bring huge benefits to global investment and trade, participants at an international business symposium said.

Tan Sri Ong Kah Ting, the Malaysian prime minister's special envoy to China, said the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will be of great importance to boosting investment and trade with Southeast Asia, historically part of the maritime route.

"China and Malaysia have achieved many important milestones over the decades. I am confident that with our existing close ties, we can achieve more following China's initiative of building a modern maritime Silk Road," he said during a symposium on developing the modern trade routes. The symposium was held in Xiamen, Fujian province on Sunday, a day ahead of the opening of the annual China International Fair for Investment and Trade.

To highlight China's efforts to build the belt and the road, the annual fair will build an "authoritative, pragmatic and efficient platform" for cooperation and communication among countries and regions along the routes, said organizers.

A dedicated exhibition area will be built at the CIFIT venue featuring investment opportunities and key projects offered by various countries and regions along the modern maritime Silk Road and land Silk Road, they added.

With a combined population of more than 600 million people and a combined GDP of more than $3.6 trillion, ASEAN is integrating fast, said the special envoy, adding that the improved investment environment in Malaysia, which will assume the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2015, will help attract more foreign investment.

"Malaysia is committed to seeing the ASEAN economic community established. We welcome foreign direct investment and offer a cost competitive, geographically advantageous solution to companies intending to expand their footprint in Southeast Asia," he said.

The guest country of honor at this year's CIFIT, Malaysia will organize a series of events to promote trade and investment.

"The projects will mutually benefit Malaysia and foreign investors and be of great importance to building a modern Maritime Silk Road," he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to revive the ancient trade route during a visit to Indonesia in October last year.

The ancient maritime Silk Road began in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province, then headed south into Southeast Asia. From the Malacca Strait, it then turned west to Europe.

During a visit to Astana, Kazakhstan in 2013, Xi also proposed that China and Central Asian countries build a Silk Road Economic Belt to strengthen regional cooperation, urging all parties involved remove barriers to facilitate trade and investment.

The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, in a strategic position for boosting development of the Silk Road Economic Belt, will use its exhibition hall at the CIFIT to promote its good investment environment, friendly policies and economic achievements.

"Xinjiang has the advantage to playing a big role in building the Silk Road Economic Belt given that it has abundant natural resources," said Nur Bekri, the Xinjiang regional chairman.

Michal Strba, commercial consul at the Slovak Republic consulate in Shanghai, said initiatives in building the "One Belt, One Road" are greatly important to boosting global trade and investment cooperation.

"The initiatives not only benefit countries and regions along the belt and maritime route, but also provide opportunities for those on other continents," he said. The annual CIFIT proves an important and effective role for the Slovak Republic to meet potential Chinese and Asian investors, said Strba. "The annual event is a good platform for us to attract investment and boost trade," he said.

qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn

Representatives show their optimism at an international business symposium on the eve of the 18th China International Fair for Investment and Trade, which opens Monday in Xiamen, Fujian province. Zou Zhongpin / China Daily

(China Daily USA?09/10/2014 page9)