China will carry out practical cooperation for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), promoting both signature projects and "small yet smart" livelihood programs, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on Wednesday.

Xi vowed more financing support for BRI projects based on market and business operations in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China will each set up a 350 billion yuan ($48.75 billion) financing window, and an additional 80 billion yuan will be injected into the Silk Road Fund, Xi said.

China will carry out 1,000 small-scale livelihood assistance projects and enhance vocational education cooperation through Luban Workshops and other initiatives, Xi said, adding that more effort will be taken to ensure the safety of BRI projects and personnel.

The CEO Conference held during the forum saw the conclusion of agreements worth $97.2 billion, he said.

(Cover: China-Europe Railway Express "Lanxi" leaves the Jinhuanan Rainway Station in Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, August 22, 2023. /CFP)