Silk Road project ready to give 'sense of gain' to others: Xi

President Xi Jinping has said China is willing to give other countries a "sense of gain" in the multi-billion dollar Silk Road project, amid international concerns over its strategic importance and talks of the project being caught in a web of border disputes.
The high-profile project - subsequently renamed as One Belt, One Road (OBOR) - is backed by a USD 40-billion special fund and was launched by Xi in 2013.
The Chinese president's signature initiative aims to revive an ancient trading route linking China and Europe, via Central Asia and the Middle East, as well as a path through Southeast Asia and Africa.

At a meeting of government officials, entrepreneurs and scholars here yesterday, Xi said China is willing to give other countries "a ride" and a "sense of gain" as it renews ties with the countries along the Silk Road initiative.
He goaded Chinese firms to invest in countries along the routes of the OBOR project and said China being the world's second-largest economy should be "more proactive" in dealing with other countries.
The project is touted as China's biggest strategic initiative to move out its manufacturing and construction prowess backed by over USD 3.20 trillion foreign reserves.

It initially evoked interest among smaller countries to get project financing but has since faced constraints ranging from border disputes to Beijing's strategic intentions and Chinese labour being used for early completion of the projects leading to fewer employment opportunities for local people.

While the OBOR has projects involving a maze of road, rail and shipping routes, its biggest project, the USD 46-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has faced protest from India as it is passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
India's objections to the project were highlighted again during last week's talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in New Delhi.
India's concern over China's strategic intentions has cast a shadow on its 21st Maritime Silk Road projects in the Indian Ocean where Beijing made big investments in port projects in Sri Lanka.