BEIJING, Sept. 21 -- The just-concluded visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to central and south Asia highlighted China's sincerity and determination in advancing its neighborhood diplomacy.

During the nine-day tour, Xi attended the 14th meeting of Council of Heads of States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, before he paid state visits to Tajikistan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and India.

Xi's trip, included more than 70 events, showed the country's effort to promote building an "amicable, tranquil and prosperous neighborhood" with adherence to the principles of "amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness."

"ONE BELT, ONE ROAD" TO BOOST GOOD-NEIGHBORLY COOPERATION

Xi's current trip was aimed at bringing together the aspirations of Tajikistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and India with the "One Belt and One Road" initiatives to pursue common prosperity with neighbors.

The "One Belt and One Road" refers to the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and "21st Century Maritime Silk Road," infrastructure and trade networks put forward by Xi during his visit to Central Asia and Southeast Asia in 2013.

All the four nations Xi visited this time are pivot points of the "One Belt and One Road" with which China has historic ties and interwoven contemporary interests.

During the trip, China signed more than 60 cooperative documents with the four countries, which have also pledged active participation in constructing the "belt" and the "road."

Visiting Dushanbe, Xi invited Tajikistan to join China's initiative to build the Silk Road Economic Belt for common development along the ancient trade route, suggesting both countries should cooperate more closely in oil and gas, electricity, trade and infrastructure, improve interconnectivity, and guarantee a smooth construction of the China-Central Asia gas pipelines.

In Maldives, the two sides agreed to build a future-oriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership, in an effort to upgrade bilateral ties and promote the well-being of the two peoples, as well as peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen reiterated support for China's proposal of constructing the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, adding that the island country is prepared to actively participate in relevant cooperation.

When meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, Xi said the initiative of building the 21 Century Maritime Silk Road presents many opportunities for China to enhance cooperation with Sri Lanka in such areas as port construction and operation, maritime economy and security, and the construction of a maritime transportation center in the Indian Ocean.

The construction of Tajikistan section of Line-D of the Central Asia-China gas pipelines, the Port City Project in Colombo are the successful examples in building "One Belt and One Road," which benefit not only China but also its neighbors.

"CHINA'S TRAIN OF DEVELOPMENT" TO DRIVE COMMON PROSPERITY

All the four nations Xi has visited are emerging countries struggling to prosperity. During the tour, Xi conducted in-depth exchanges of opinions with national leaders in a bid to improve China's relations with these countries and help them ride on the fast train of China's development to fulfill their own dreams.

China is India's largest trading partner, while India is China's biggest in South Asia, with two-way trade totaling about 65.5 billion U.S. dollars last year.

During his visit, Xi said China and India should be "express trains" driving regional economic integration and connectivity.

Specifically, Xi pledged that China will try to increase its investment in Indian industrial and infrastructure projects to 20 billion U.S. dollars in the next five years and import more pharmaceuticals and agricultural products in a bid to balance bilateral trade.

Beijing, the Chinese president said, is ready to work together with New Delhi to make even greater contribution to regional development, "so that the 3 billion people living on both sides of the Himalayas will enjoy peace, friendship, stability and prosperity."

In Maldives, Xi promised that the Chinese government will favorably consider helping finance the Male-Hulhule bridge project, continue its assistance for Maldives and encourage Chinese companies to invest in the country.

Meanwhile, China is willing to help Maldives with material resources, personnel training and green technology to deal with climate change, Xi said, adding that Beijing welcomes Maldives' important role on issues of significance to small states.

Currently, Sri Lanka is pursuing the "Mahinda Vision," which envisages ambitious economic growth through the scaling-up of investment and increased productivity.

When visiting Colombo, Xi stressed that China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to seize such opportunities to make a good planning for bilateral cooperation and enhance the strategic cooperative partnership.

In Tajikistan, the Chinese president offered help for Dushanbe to build an agricultural hi-tech demonstration garden and a planting base, and promised to import more high-quality agricultural and sideline products from the central Asian country.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, in particular, expressed gratitude for China's assistance under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, in building a power grid and upgrading a major road linking Dushanbe and the northwest city of Khujand.

In both cases, China's help contributes to Tajikistan's national integrity, Rahmon said.

Upon the end of the trip, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China cannot develop without a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment, and that China's development has brought significant cooperation opportunities for neighboring countries.