China prioritized tasks for the future of the "Belt and Road" initiatives during the Conference to Promote the Construction of the Belt and Road on Feb. 1.

The list of planned actions includes consultations with countries involved, construction of international economic cooperation corridors and ports, as well as infrastructure projects.

The Silk Road Economic Belt is to be established along the ancient Silk Road trade route, stretching northwest from China's coastal area through Central Asia, the Middle East and on to Europe, while the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will run through the country's south to Southeast Asia.

The following are the major events in the development of China's "Belt and Road" initiatives so far.

President Xi Jinping gives a speech at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan, in September 2013. In this speech, Xi first mentioned the strategic vision.  [Wang Ye / Xinhua]

September 2013 -- The "Silk Road Economic Belt" concept was initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Kazakhstan. In a speech delivered at Nazarbayev University, Xi suggested that China and Central Asia join hands to build a Silk Road Economic Belt to boost cooperation. It was the first time Chinese leadership mentioned the strategic vision.

October. 3, 2013 -- President Xi Jinping proposed to build a more closely-knit China-ASEAN community following a common destiny and provided guidance for constructing a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to promote maritime cooperation. In his speech at the Indonesian parliament, Xi also proposed to establish the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to finance infrastructure construction and promote regional interconnectivity and economic integration.

November 2013 -- The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), a milestone along China's reform path, called for accelerating the interconnection of infrastructure among neighboring countries, and facilitating the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

December 2013 -- President Xi Jinping urged strategic planning of the "Belt and Road" initiatives to promote the interconnection of infrastructure and build a community of common interests at the annual Central Economic Work Conference.