While delivering a speech at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan, President Xi Jinping proposed that China and Central Asia join hands to build a Silk Road economic belt to boost cooperation.

The proposed "economic belt along the Silk Road" is inhabited by close to 3 billion people and represents the biggest market in the world.

He said, "To forge closer economic ties, deepen cooperation and expand development in the Euro-Asia region, we should take an innovative approach and jointly build an ’economic belt’ along the silk road. This will be a great undertaking benefitting the people of all countries along the route."

Xi said China is committed to promoting relations and cooperation with Central-Asia, and called for more practical collaboration in five areas. They are: stepping up policy communication, improving road connectivity, promoting unimpeded trade, enhancing monetary circulation and lastly increasing understanding between peoples.