Big data continues to be a driving force in telling stories about China. And that goes for the development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as well. The strengthening economic ties between countries are well demonstrated by a series of numbers.

Belt and Road Big Data Report 2018 was released at the recently concluded World Economic Forum in north China's Tianjin Municipality. It's a book co-written by China's economic planner the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Bureau of Statistics.

"China has traded more than 5 trillion US dollars of goods with countries covered under the Belt and Road Initiative," said Ning Jizhe, deputy director of the NDRC. "Companies from both China and developed countries are exploring third markets together."

The report uses different indices to measure the development of the BRI and the economic ties between countries, from trade sentiment to numbers of direct flights.

"23.7 percent media comments around the globe on the Belt and Road Initiative were positive in 2017, up from 16.5 percent in 2013," according to Yu Shiyang, director of the Big Data, State Information Center.

On a separate forum on the Belt and Road, the NDRC chief also weighed in on the Belt and Road development with data.

"Over the past five years, the Chinese companies investment has exceeded 86.5 billion US dollars in those countries and the region," said He Lifeng, NDRC director, adding that "We also established 80 economic and cooperation zones, which exceeded with the value of 28 trillion US dollars."

In fact, global investment has not returned to the levels we have seen before the financial crisis back in 2009.That's why many companies are still betting their hopes on China for extra growth momentum.

Bahrain economic board also attended the forum. The board hopes to capitalize on Bahrain's unique location and market status to attract more Chinese capital.

"We see the Gateway Gulf Initiative as an ideal mirror to the Belt and Road Initiative. The Gateway Gulf is about showcasing major infrastructure projects, not only in Bahrain but also the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). And it's a great chance for Chinese investors to come to Bahrain and see some of the projects, and meet some of the project owners and help getting involved in some of the major infrastructure span that's taking place in Bahrain, and the rest of the gulf."