China today said 2014 has been a "bumper harvest" year for its diplomacy and pledged to improve cooperation with India and other neighbouring countries besides the US and Russia in 2015, as it showcased growing support for its ambitious multi-billion dollar Silk Road plan.
"China has experienced a bumper harvest of diplomacy in 2014," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here at a reception for diplomatic missions to China.
"China has actively forged a partnership network across the globe, establishing different partnerships with 67 countries and five regional organisations, showcasing China's diplomacy concept of forging partners but not alliances," Wang said.
More than 50 countries along the ancient Silk Road have voiced willingness to participate in the "One Belt and One Road" initiative put forward by China to foster common development between China, Europe and Asia, Wang said.
The framework refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visits to Central Asia and Southeast Asia last year.
The Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road proposed by Xi, which has become cornerstone of China's diplomacy this year refers to a maze of road networks connecting China with Europe through a host of Asian countries.
While the main road traverses through Central Asia to Europe, it has sub-routes like the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, (BCIM) corridor and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, (POK) and the Maritime Silk Road covering a host of ports in the region.
China has allotted USD 40 billion fund for the Silk Road plan even though Beijing is yet to outline the final version of its mega plan.
Stated to be China's strategic counter to Asia Pivot strategy of the US to make a big presence in the Asian region, India has associated with the BCIM while it is yet to approve the Maritime Silk road plan which paves the way to enhance Chinese presence in a big way in the Indian Ocean region as India's neighbours, Sri Lanka and Maldives have already approved the plan.
