"Macron wants to send the message to China that he supports the initiative," Raffarin said. "France is very interested in the initiative that is to develop Eurasia."

He said the initiative will bring about investment, infrastructure and a lot of jobs along the Belt and Road, as an effective way to solve the world's myriad problems.

In an interview with Xinhua before his trip to Beijing, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said the initiative was perhaps the most important modern infrastructure project underway in the world today.

"Bringing the Chinese economy closer through this gigantic infrastructure operation is enormously interesting to Italy," Gentiloni said.

Xi said the Belt and Road, rooted in the ancient Silk Road, focuses on the Asian, European and African continents. But it is also open to all. Countries from either Asia, Europe, Africa or the Americas can be international cooperation partners.

In the past four years, the initiative won support from more than 100 countries and international organizations.

Representatives from Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa -- members of the BRICS -- as well as other emerging economies like Indonesia, Mexico and Turkey were also present at the forum.

Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin said the initiative was timely proposed to boost economic cooperation and exchanges among countries.

Hammond said as China drives Belt and Road from the East, Britain is a natural partner in the West.

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