China to hold next Belt and Road forum in 2019

China will host the second Belt and Road Forum in 2019, President Xi Jinping said, as the first international meeting on his pet project ended today.
The leaders of 29 nations wrapped up the first meeting of the forum to promote China's "Belt and Road" initiative.
Xi said the implementation of the initiative over which India has expressed concern is in full swing.
A total of 68 countries, including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and international organisations have signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with China, he said addressing the media.
He also expressed confidence in the prospect of the Belt and Road Initiative, when he wrapped up the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

India boycotted China's high-profile Belt and Road Forum, taking its protest over a controversial multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) traversing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

He said the leaders attending a high-level international meeting had agreed to set up a "stable and sustainable financial support system with risks controllable" for the Belt and Road development.
The leaders also agreed on broader channels, innovative methods and lower costs of financing, Xi said.
The B&R includes a maze of roads and port projects. While CPEC is highlighted as "flagship project", it included Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, (BCIM) Economic Corridor, New Eurasian Land Bridge, China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor and 21st century Maritime Silk Road.

Xi also said the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation has achieved positive outcomes over the past two days.
A total of 68 nations and international organisations have signed cooperation agreements with China on the Belt and Road, Xi told reporters.
"The Belt and Road Initiative is not set by ideology. We won't set a political agenda. It's not exclusive," he said, adding that the forum had passed a list of 270 achievements.
These outcomes will lend strong support to the building of the Belt and Road, and serve to boost confidence from all parties to advance cooperation, he said.