Multination benefits seen as 'core value' for Maritime Silk Road

The new Maritime Silk Road project could be a win-win opportunity for the countries involved to promote maritime economic cooperation, interconnection and public services, an official with China's oceanic authority said.

Zhang Zhanhai, a director with the Department of Strategic Planning and Economy with the State Oceanic Administration, said the Maritime Silk Road would promote economic partnership for the countries involved and facilitate the establishment of bilateral and multilateral maritime economic zones.

The Maritime Silk Road project, a transcontinental connectivity blueprint, was first proposed by President Xi Jinping during a speech to the Indonesian parliament in October 2013, as part of an effort to strengthen maritime cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.