Silk Road Initiative takes new route on TV map

Graphic by chinadaily.com.cn. [Source: cctv.cn]

The South Pacific appears on the latest route map of the Silk Road Initiative released by China's national television.

The blueprint shows the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road running through the South China Sea to the South Pacific on China Central Television.

The route is consistent with the official document of the Silk Road Initiative, but was highlighted on the map for the first time, according to Guancha.cn.

China unveiled the principles, framework and cooperation priorities and mechanisms of its Belt and Road Initiative late last month.

It aims to promote the free flow of economic factors, efficient allocation of resources and integration of markets by enhancing connectivity between the areas.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road were first proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 to connect Asian, European and African countries and promote mutual cooperation.

The Belt begins in XI’an in Northwest China before stretching west to Venice, where it meets the Road, which begins in Fuzhou in Fujian province, East China.

China proposed establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to help finance regional infrastructure construction.

More than 60 countries and international organizations encompassing 4.4 billion people have shown an interest in taking part.