China to speed up construction of Silk Road: Xi

China will accelerate the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and strengthen cooperation with the countries involved, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced.

"We should prepare timetables and road maps for the coming years for the 'One Road and One Belt' project," Xi said when presiding over the eighth meeting of the Central Leading Group on Financial and Economic Affairs on Tuesday.

"We will focus on some significant projects and let the construction of 'One Road and One Belt' commence as soon as possible," said the president, adding that the cooperation between China and countries involved will be mutually beneficial.

Xi, who is also the head of the central leading group, said China would help countries along the road and belt with the construction of infrastructure including transportation, electricity and telecommunications.

China will launch projects that are conducive to the improvement of people's livelihood in the countries involved and boost cultural and people-to-people exchange, the president said.

"'One Road and One Belt' is a huge and inclusive platform, which helps to combine the rapidly expanding Chinese economy with the benefits of all parties involved," Xi said.