Chinese President Xi Jinping has revealed that Chinese company invested close to $15 billion in various countries that are part of the Silk Road Initiative in 2015. The total investment is 20 percent higher than the figure in 2014. Xi noted that Silk Road Initiative is a key component of China's foreign policy.

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Speaking in Uzbekistan, President Xi said, "The Belt and Road Initiative's primary planning and deployment has been completed and is now stepping onto the stage of taking root and intensive cultivation for sustained development." Xi is currently on a trip visiting Uzbekistan, Poland, and Serbia.

The Silk Road Initiative was rolled out in 2013. It is alternatively known as the "One Belt, One Road" plan. Under this initiative, China will invest in various infrastructure projects in countries such as Asia, Africa, and Europe. The country has also established a Silk Road Fund with a capital of $40 billion. China is apparently endeavoring to revive its ancient Silk Road routes, which connected China to Europe. The initiative will help China to gain access to new markets.

According to Chinese state media, China and Uzbekistan have agreed to work closely to counter terrorism."China and Uzbekistan share concerns about terrorism, with extremists in the two countries sometimes conspiring together," China Daily reported.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan reiterated its support for One-China policy. The country also expressed its disapproval of "Taiwan Independence." Beijing and Tashkent have elevated their collaboration to a comprehensive partnership.

China has entered into production capacity cooperation agreements with 20 countries along the Silk Road route. The agreements have generated up to 60,000 local jobs.

TagsXi Jinping, Silk Road Initiative, Serbia, Poland, Uzbekistan