More than 40 countries, including 30 prospective founding members, have signed up to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, as of March 31, the deadline for countries to apply for founding member status.

The magnitude of the bank's popularity and attractiveness has been unexpected, but understandable.

Given the once strong opposition from the United States and still lingering prejudice and badmouthing from some Western media against the China-proposed initiative, it is heartening to see so many countries and organizations in the world have shown support and goodwill to the AIIB.