Bilateral trust key to Silk Road Economic Belt

Building bilateral trust with cultural exchange programs should be key to eventually establish the Silk Road Economic Belt as President Xi Jinping proposed, said a CPPCC delegate on Saturday.

Due to differences in economic and cultural development, China should improve mutual understanding by cultural and tourism programs with countries along the economic corridor before launching the strategic plan, said the delegate from Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Buwajian Abla, the deputy dean of economy and commerce of Xinjiang Agricultural University，was speaking at the full sessions of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Congress.

"Affected by the alleged 'China Threat' theory prompted by western countries, some countries along the corridor will doubt the purpose of the idea, so we have to earn their understanding and trust first and then move forward on the cooperative plan," said Buwajian .

Promotions and cultural exchanges such as setting up a Confucius Institute, organizing an art show and sports events and holding themed forums should be implemented, she said.

Tourism routes linking cities in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and cities in central and western Asian countries should also be promoted.

The Silk Road Economic Belt, a regional economic cooperative program, was proposed by Xi during a visit to Kazakhstan last year and has triggered competition among Chinese cities to be part of it.