Silk Road project not a geopolitical tool: China

China on Tuesday dismissed criticism that its multi-billion dollar Silk Road initiative to revive ancient trade routes is a "geopolitical tool" aimed at extending influence, underlining that the mega project is an open and inclusive initiative for regional cooperation.

"China's 'Belt and Road' is an open and inclusive initiative for regional cooperation and not a geopolitical tool," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said, reacting to an article in the New York Times which claimed that Beijing's push to revive the ancient trade routes is causing geopolitical strains, with countries increasingly worried about becoming too dependent on China.

Lu said that China is not seeking to secure influence in the region, and would not force anyone's hands. The Belt and Road project, the official name for Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road projects is "in harmony with the common interests of all related countries and international organisations", Lu said, stressing that it will improve connections between Eurasia and the rest of the world and spur growth.

The Belt and Road initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was suggested by President Xi Jinping in 2013. China has already commenced USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passed through Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The corridor connects China's Muslim-majority Xinjiang with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar port and provides it access to the Arabian Sea and facilitates speedier imports of oil from the Middle East.

While India has protested over CPEC as it goes through the PoK, it is taking part in the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor project which is still in conceptual stage. India has not so far extended backing to the Maritime Silk Road as New Delhi is reviving the Spice Route to revive trade links with Indian Ocean countries.

Xi has also announced USD 40 billion Silk Road fund which has already become operational. Lu said more than 60 countries and international organisations have expressed positive impressions on the initiative adding that some agreements have been signed and many major projects already making steady progress. 

The Belt and Road initiative meets the needs of all countries and regions along the route, and is conducive to creating demand and jobs in these areas, the spokesperson said. This will promote recovery of the world economy, which is in the interest of all countries in the world, Lu said.

China will continue to push forward pragmatic cooperation with partner countries under the framework to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, he said.