The Silk Road initiatives will expand the benefits of China's development to neighboring countries, so it's a win-win idea of joint development and prosperity. It's my wish that the proposals will one day extend its reach to all neighboring countries, rather than just those along the route of the ancient Silk Road. China is much stronger than in ancient times, and transportation and logistics are far better developed, so the influence of the Silk Road could continue to grow.

Cheng Yonghua, a national political adviser and China's ambassador to Japan

Peaceful development and cooperation is a trend in the Asia-Pacific region. Irrespective of their size, all the countries share the same twin goals of development and prosperity, and China is no an exception. We must continue to build good, neighborly relations and partnerships with our neighbors, and we are also taking measures to build trust in the military sector and reduce misunderstandings to further bolster regional peace.

Qian Lihua, a political adviser and general and former head of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Ministry of National Defense

The ancient Silk Road played an important role in cultural exchanges between East and West. The "Belt and Road" initiatives are more concerned with economics, but economics is also closely related to culture. If cultural initiatives were to be incorporated in the plans for the new Silk Road, the influence could be far-reaching. I urge that culture should be included in the initiatives so we can conduct cultural exchanges and cooperate with nations along the routes to help spread Chinese culture.

Chen Weiya, a political adviser and theater/event director

Our leaders raised the "Belt and Road" initiatives with the central goal of better developing the region. One key idea behind our "periphery policies" is to allow countries on the periphery of the zones to benefit from China's development. Some people have asked how China will influence the world, especially these peripheral regions, and I think the "Belt and Road" initiatives show that the country is making the most of the opportunities presented by its development to try to build a new framework for cooperation.

Fu Ying, NPC spokeswoman and a former ambassador to the United Kingdom

(China Daily 03/09/2015 page4)