China's Belt, Road initiatives not geo-strategic tool: official

China's Belt and Road initiatives will facilitate economic cooperation and will not act as a geo-strategic tool, a senior foreign affairs official said Saturday.

The initiatives do not target particular countries or international organizations, said Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui at the China Development Forum in Beijing.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by China in 2013, follow the principles of joint consultation, construction and sharing. It will be an open and inclusive platform for regional cooperation, taking into full consideration the position, interests and convenience of every side, Zhang said.

China and the United States share much common interests and space for cooperation in the Asia Pacific, which should become a region of priority to build a new model of major-power relations between the two countries, he said.

He also noted that the planned Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which would finance infrastructure construction along the belt and road, conform to the needs of the region and complement existing financial institutions.

China is a participant, builder and contributor to the current international order and system, Zhang said.

The country has always safeguarded post-war international order with the United Nations at its core. China also advocates reform in accordance with the development of situations, promoting democratic international relations and law-based global governance, he said. Endi