China has urged the Silk Road countries to develop cooperation. This was a message of politicians and entrepreneurs participating in the 2016 Media Cooperation Forum on the Belt and Road  that opened in Beijing on July 26.

In particular, Wang Chen, vice chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee said the investments have made more than $1.4 billion so far, while cooperation agreements signed with more than 30 countries.

However, the project has not only economic, but humanitarian significance. Addressing the forum, UN Under-Secretary-General Wu Hongbo said the initiative complies with UN vision and will help in solving humanitarian issues, in particular reduction of poverty rate and providing more access to education.

Chinese entrepreneurs speaking at the forum, among them representatives of CRRC and China Wanda Group, share the view that while implementing the project, the specific features of the countries and nations have to be taken into account. They pointed to difference in legislation as one of the difficulties the project might face. However, they are ready to make investments.

Representatives of world media, including Reuters, Associated Press, La Agencia EFE agencies, El Mundo and others addressed the participants.

Over 200 media outlets from more than 40 countries take part in it. Armenian News –NEWS.am and Noyyan Tapan news agencies from Armenia attended the forum.