Xi's visit set to boost Belt, Road projects

President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Serbia, Poland and Uzbekistan is expected to enhance cooperation with the countries on the Belt and Road projects, experts said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Monday that Xi will start an eight-day trip to the three countries beginning on Friday. During the trip, Xi will also attend the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to be held in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, on June 23 and 24.

Wang Yiwei, a professor at the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, said Xi's visit will bring further outcomes in the China-proposed Belt and Road projects. All three countries are located on key points of the ancient Silk Road.

"Central and Eastern European countries, including Serbia and Poland, are eager to develop ties with China to attract more Chinese investment," he said.

China's stance on the South China Sea issue is also expected to be supported by countries during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, he added.

The Philippines initiated an arbitration case against China over maritime disputes in the South China Sea at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in early 2013. The court's decision is expected to be announced in coming weeks.

Sun Yuxi, former Chinese ambassador to Poland, said that CEE countries have worked with China on a number of big projects, including the bridge across the Danube River in Belgrade, Serbia, which has improved the infrastructure in the CEE region.