(Yicai Global) April 19 -- China's multi-billion investment strategy of the Belt and Road Initiative has expanded into 125 countries.

China has so far signed 173 Belt and Road cooperation documents with 29 international organizations, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported, citing Yuan Da, spokesperson of the National Development and Reform Commission. President Xi Jinping's signature initiative aims to reconnect the former Silk Road nations via pipelines, railways and marine routes. 

The total trading value between China and Belt and Road regions, including developed economies and emerging ones, was USD6 trillion from 2013 to last year. 

The construction of special economic zones including the China-Belarus Industrial Park, China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone and China-Egypt Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone are moving steadily, according to Yuan. 

Railway projects linking up China with Laos and Thailand are making firm progress, according to Yuan. The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway in Indonesia and the Budapest–Belgrade railway between Hungary and Serbia, are also advancing, he added. 

With the increasing connectivity, China Railway Express has collectively made 14,000 journeys by cargo trains to Europe by the end of March, reaching 15 foreign countries and 50 overseas cities.

The construction projects of Gwadar Port in Pakistan, Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, Piraeus Port in Greece and Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi are making smooth progress, Yuan said. 

China has swapped currencies with more than 20 participating countries, arranged a clearing facility with seven nations, and set up a capacity development center with the International Monetary Fund in 2017.

By the end of 2018, China Export and Credit Insurance had insured USD600 billion worth of goods with Belt and Road countries. 

The initiative has also made achievements in the fields of science and technology, education, cultural tourism, environment and foreign aid, Yuan added.

Editor: Emmi Laine