One key task in China's diplomatic efforts in 2015 is to comprehensively promote the Belt and Road Initiative strategy. During President Xi Jinping's overseas visits this year, countries and regions along the route were invited to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and agreements were signed and many major projects are already making steady progress.

President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 21, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Visit to Pakistan

April 20-21

President Xi called for the formulation of a strategic framework for bilateral practical cooperation, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at the center.

The CPEC is a 3,000-km network of roads, railways and pipelines to transport oil and gas from southern Pakistan's Gwadar Port to Kashgar city, northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.