The Belt and Road Initiative is China's signature development strategy. While it has improved economic ties with participating countries, some political advisors in China also want to see that it promotes cultural ties as well. Our reporter, Wang Hui, has the details.

Since President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, it has won support from hundreds of countries and organizations. The initiative was brought up on various occasions during this year's Two Sessions, including in Premier Li Keqiang's work report, and several press conferences held by ministers. Members of China's political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, weighed in as well.

Jia Qingguo, who heads the School of International Studies at Peking University, believes the initiative should put more emphasis on Southeast Asia.

JIA QINGGUO CPPCC MEMBER "This is the place that we have very dynamic economy. The demand for infrastructure is huge."

The Belt and Road Initiative has boosted economic ties between China and participating countries. In the first three quarters of 2017, their trade volume reached 786 billion US dollars, higher by 15 percent from the year before. But a guest member of the CPPCC said the Initiative should strengthen not only economic ties but also people to people exchanges.

LIU HONGYOU CPPCC GUEST MEMBER "I hope that through this initiative, the cultures and traditions of different countries can blend into the community of shared future for humankind. The mutual understanding that this cultural exchange can create will make the world more harmonious."

Yu Minhong, a famous educator and entrepreneur in China, explained that cross-cultural exchange through education is particularly important.

YU MINHONG EDUCATOR AND ENTREPRENEUR "We provide convenience to overseas students from those countries. I understand that after studying in a country for three or four years, people will have a strong emotional attachment to the host country. I think this emotional tie is more important than economic ties."

WANG HUI BEIJING China hosted the Belt and Road Forum for Cooperation last May. The conference reached more than 270 specific achievements in policies, infrastructure construction, trade, capital, and people to people exchanges. Wang Hui, CGTN, Beijing.