(Photo/CGTN)

The Leaders' Roundtable Summit of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation kicked off on Monday morning at Yanqi Lake International Convention Center in Beijing. The roundtable event in the Chinese capital gives world leaders the opportunity to exchange views on Belt and Road cooperation.

In his speech at the beginning of the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined the challenges facing the world, saying the international community saw great progress together with profound changes and transformation. He said the countries should join hands to achieve common development. "The Belt and Road Initiative originates from China, but belongs to the whole world," he said.

He proposed several goals to achieve during the forum which are setting the direction of win-win cooperation, strengthening policy cooperation and deepening practical cooperation through concrete projects.

He also stressed the importance to reject the protectionism and to unlock the potential of countries along the trade routes through inclusive and open development.

(Photo/CGTN)

A total of 29 heads of state and government are attending the forum, the highest-profile international meeting on the Belt and Road since Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative in 2013.

A day earlier, Xi delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the forum.

He announced that China will contribute an additional 100 billion yuan (about 14.5 billion US dollars) in financial support for the Belt and Road. He also stressed that the country "will not resort to outdated geopolitical maneuvering" in pursuing the initiative.