Chinese leaders sketched out priorities for the "Belt and Road" initiatives on Sunday, highlighting transport infrastructure building, investment and trade facilitation, financial cooperation and cultural exchange.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, center, speaks at a conference on China's "Belt and Road" initiatives in Beijing on Sunday, February 1, 2015. [Photo / Xinhua]

The initiatives are major policy decisions made by the Party and the State Council, which will be of great significance to further opening up to the outside world and promoting regional and world peace, said Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli at a conference focused on the initiatives.

The Silk Road Economic Belt is slated to be established along the ancient Silk Road trade route, which stretches northwest from China's coastal area through Central Asia, the Middle East and on to Europe, while the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will run through the country's south to Southeast Asia.

China will join hands with countries along the Belt and Road to build a community of common interests, common responsibilities and a shared future, featuring political mutual trust, economic integration and cultural inclusiveness, Zhang said at the conference attended by other senior leaders.

Under the initiatives, more highways, railways and air routes will be built and Chinese regions will further integrate resources, policies and markets to connect with the outside world.

The initiatives were put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his overseas visits in 2013.

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