During his visit to Kazakhstan in September, PresidentXi Jinping proposed that China and Central Asia join hands to build a Silk Road economic belt to boost cooperation. The idea has been widely echoed in Central Asian countries, becoming an encouraging blueprint for Chinese areas along the Silk Road that has linked Asia and Europe for more than 2,000 years.

In the next three weeks, China Daily reporters will travel along the belt in China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey. They will show the progress and expectations of the countries, businesses and peoples on the route.

Shaanxi in good position to anchor Silk Road

The start of the ancient Silk Road will strengthen China's cooperation with Central Asian countries.>> 

Central Asian farmers to reap benefits

Farm planting technologies and anti-drought grain seeds, which have long been driving parts of western China's agricultural sector, are finding new growth.>>

Culture, tourism seen as key to developing new Silk Road

Tourism and cultural exchanges will be useful tools in building the new foundation for the Silk Road economic belt, officials and scholars from China's northwestern Gansu province said.>> 

Rail routes to fuel exports growth

Eager to enhance its developing strength, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region plans to build more international rail routes on the Silk Road economic belt.>>

Trade at Horgos slated for 14% surge

Cross-border trade volume at Horgos Port, a border station connecting China and Kazakhstan, is expected to grow by 14 percent by the end of this year as Central Asian and European countries vie for larger footholds in the Chinese market. >>

Kazakh students say Silk Road will pave way for career openings

The construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt could create more job opportunities for young people in Kazakhstan because it will attract more Chinese businesses to invest in the neighboring country. >>

Chinese firms look to expand trade in Central Asia

More Chinese companies are seeing opportunities brought by the opening up of Uzbekistan to set up businesses in the Central Asian nation, making it easier to expand their trade in the region and to Europe. >>

THE SILK ROAD NOW AND THEN

Around 2,000 years ago, caravans of camels carrying goods followed specific routes acrossEurasia, overcoming deserts and mountains and linking the continent's east and west sides with silk, jewelry and spice.

Now the journey's eastern destination, the world's second largest economy, is devoting itself to rejuvenating the ancient route named the Silk Road and bringing economic impetus to countries along the path.

The Silk Road is a series of routes for trade and cultural exchange connectingChina and European countriessince around 100 BC, with central Asia as the intermediate station. The route became prosperous in China's Tang Dynasty, the capital of which, Chang'an (today known as Xi'an), was opening up and hosted envoys from over 70 countries, foreign merchants and overseas students.

Related:Modern merchants follow famous footsteps

NAME:The Silk Road was named after the lucrative trade in Chinese silk.

HISTORY:Form the 2nd century BC to 16th century

ROUTE AND LENGTH:The major route was more than 7,000km, from present day Xi’an to the Mediterranean Sea.

CHINESE IMPORTS ALONG THE ROAD:Spices, furs, leather, jewelry, timepieces, glass products, carrots, grapes, cucumbers, other plants and birds.

CHINESE EXPORTS ALONG THE ROAD:Silk, artworks, porcelain,goldwares, mirrors, tea and luxury goods.

The Marine Silk Road, like the ancient Silk Road that connected China with south, west and central Asia and Europe, was also a bridge for connecting Eastern and Western cultures.

With the excavation of the wreck of an ancient Chinese merchant ship, archaeologists expect to find a trove of historical relics, unveiling more details of theMaritimeSilk Road.

First discovered in 1987 off the coast near Yangjiang, Nanhai No 1 dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty in the 13th century and is recognized as one of the oldest and biggest merchant boats ever sunk in Chinese waters.>>

 Related:Fuzhou's Maritime Silk Road to receive 10 billion yuan

WESTERN REGIONS THRIVING UNDER THE ECONOMIC BELT