Xi urges world leaders to join Belt and Road plan

Speaking at the Belt and Road Forum, attended by government heads from three dozen countries, Xi said the project must produce "multiplied effects in infrastructure development, industrial clustering, economic growth and people's wellbeing."

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday emphasized the nature of openness and multilateralism of the Belt and Road infrastructure-building initiative at a meeting with foreign leaders in Beijing.

Speaking at the Belt and Road Forum, attended by government heads from three dozen countries, Xi said the project must produce "multiplied effects in infrastructure development, industrial clustering, economic growth and people's wellbeing."

The Belt and Road have stirred anxiety in Washington, Moscow and Tokyo about Beijing's strategic ambitions as well as how projects are devised, managed and financed.

Beijing has also tried to dispel complaints the multibillion-dollar project leaves developing countries with too much debt.

Beijing also faces grumbling by the US, Japan, India and Russia that Belt and Road is a tool to build a China-centred political structure and erode their influence.

American officials including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have told countries considering Belt and Road projects to look closely at Beijing's motives and warned about debt.

"We need to build an open world economy and reject protectionism," Xi said on Saturday.