The Belt & Road initiative is an important topic in this year's Two Sessions. China will take more concrete steps to strengthen cooperation with the route countries, and Sri Lanka is a key partner under this grand initiative. CGTN's Li Jiejun takes you to one of the country's ports that is setting an example for cooperation between China and other nations.

This is Hambantota Port in Southern Sri Lanka.

It was formally handed over to China last December on a 99-year lease. And it's now operated by a joint venture between China and Sri Lanka.

Hambantota lies in the center of vital energy supply lines from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa that have to cross the Indian Ocean. It is also the strategic link in China's 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Chinese investors are optimistic about its future development.

RAY REN CEO, HAMBANTOTA INT'L PORT GROUP "This is the second port in Sri Lanka our group has invested in. Hambantota geographic location makes it a good choice. It takes less than 12 days to go to ports in northern China, less than 8 days to East Africa, and less than 5 days to Dubai. And since the civil war ended in 2009, people here have been eager to develop the economy. Meanwhile, the people of the two nations have a good relationship. All of this makes for an attractive investment."

More than 500 locals work in the port, accounting for more than 98% of the staff. Many say they are proud to work here with Chinese colleagues.

SYLESH PEEREZ OPERATION MANAGER, HAMBANTOTA INT'L PORT GROUP "Before China's takeover, not very many jobs had been created. Now a lot of job opportunities are brought to the villages. Most people in Sri Lanka will benefit from this port in coming years."

China is now the largest source of foreign investment in Sri Lanka. People here believe they will benefit from economic cooperation.

Saliya Wickramasuriya FORMER CHAIRMAN，SRI LANKA PORTS AUTHORITY "China has the expertise and technologies. The investment will create jobs. Knowledge and technology transfer will increase Sri Lanka's competitiveness."

Now the port is mainly used to transport vehicles. But the company aims to transform it into the largest multi-purpose port on the island nation. The Sri Lanka government has been taking steps to construct an economic zone in this region.

LI JIEJUN HAMBANTOTA PORT "Hambantota Port was handed over to China just three months ago. It may not seem so busy at the moment, but China has huge plans to turn it into a key regional shipping hub by 2050 and that it goes a long way to enhancing economic development in South Asia. Li Jiejun, CGTN. Hambantota Port, Sri Lanka."