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China's "Belt and Road Initiative" is not a regional cooperation plan restricting the number of countries based on their geographical location; rather, it is open to all countries wherever they are, "as long as it accepts the spirit of the initiative", the Asian Political Party's Special Conference on the Silk Road declared at the end of a meeting in Beijing.

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao delivers a speech at the closing ceremony of the Asian Political Parties' Special Conference on the Silk Road in Beijing on Oct. 16. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]

Earlier speculation by some countries claimed the "Belt and Road" - an abbreviation for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Maritime Silk Road – was going to be accessible only to a selected group of no more than 60 states.

However, Guo Yezhou, vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), who was organizer of the Special Conference, clarified that the figure had been used merely to facilitate preliminary policy-oriented studies.

"There are not a fixed number of countries along the 'Belt and Road'; we don't draw a distinct line between countries to be included in the 'Belt and Road' and those not," said Guo after the Special Conference concluded last Friday. "'Belt and Road' is an initiative, or like an invitation. No matter where you are, as long as you accept the initiative, and the shared spirit and value of it, you will become part of it."

While the "Belt and Road" is poised to boost trade, Guo stressed that the increment would not merely occur in the volume between China and other countries on the "Belt and Road," but also in that between all countries within the framework.

"We encourage all stakeholders in 'Belt and Road' to boost trade. We are happy that Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan have joined such practical cooperation within the Initiative," said Guo.

The concept has been greeted with readiness and enthusiasm since it was proposed some two years ago. Countries that have joined the "Belt and Road" have formed a consensus that the "common development" proposed by the initiative was for "common prosperity."

Mushahid Sayed, secretary-general of the Pakistan Muslim League and a senator, said Asian political parties saw the "Belt and Road" as "a way forward" in that it builds cooperation on the basis of harmony, mutual trust and win-win scenarios.

"The Beijing Initiative was unanimously approved. It is not a document based just on consensus; it's one based on unanimity," said Sayed, reiterating the Special Conference's achievement.

"So, it is not just a conference that you attend, make speeches, read declarations and then return home. This is going to be an institutionalized endeavor to take this initiative and translate it into a living reality," said Sayed.

Such living reality includes the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and increasing investments from China that are currently funding the construction of ports, roads and railways in Silk and Road countries.

China is becoming an observer to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), while both Pakistan and India have joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, providing evidence of China seeking closer ties with other countries.

At the same time, talks are continuing over the Iran-Pakistan pipeline and the Turkmenistan-Kyrgyzstan-Pakistan-India pipeline. "In fact there are so many talks about pipelines that people start to say there will be a Pipelinistan," said the Pakistan senator.

"The ancient Silk Road created a great zone of prosperity, so let's revive it!" said Sayed, who insisted on referring the "Belt and Road" as a "child reborn" rather than simply a "new baby," alluding to the positive roles the ancient Silk Road played.

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