BUENOS AIRES, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Argentine analysts hailed China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative as an open and inclusive multilateral global project that promotes development.
The reaction followed Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote address delivered at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation that is being held on May 14-15 in Beijing.
"While in some parts of the world, they propose building walls, China is inviting international integration and cooperation," international law expert Paola de Simone told Xinhua on Sunday.
Political scientist Juan Manuel Karg highlighted the initiative's "multilateral" aspects, as it aims to boost trade and cooperation, through building trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia, Africa and Europe.
Underscoring his country's commitment to the initiative, Xi also announced China will contribute an additional 100 billion yuan (14.5 billion U.S. dollars) to the related Silk Road Fund.
"Latin America is not part of the route, properly speaking, but it will benefit as a supplier to countries that are on the route. The speech said the project is not just for Asia, Africa or Europe. It includes us," said De Simone.
In fact, two Latin American presidents, Mauricio Macri of Argentina and Michelle Bachelet of Chile, take part in the forum.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, Macri praised the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative for helping boost communications and interconnection between countries.
"Argentina is ready to serve as a bridge between Asia and Latin America," De Simone added.
The South American country, she said, could take advantage of the 60 billion yuan (8.7 billion U.S. dollars) in aid China offered developing countries and international organizations that take part in the initiative to drive development and improve living conditions around the world.
The Belt and Road Forum, the highest-level international meeting on the Initiative since Xi proposed it in 2013, attracted more than 20 foreign heads of state and government as well as delegates from more than 100 countries.
