Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Asian unity and shared prosperity in his address to the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2018 that opened  in Boao, Hainan, on Tuesday.

“China has no geopolitical calculations, seeks no exclusionary blocs and imposes no business deals on others,” said President Xi in his keynote speech to the delegates of Boao Forum themed ‘An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity’.

The Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) may be China’s idea, but its opportunities and outcomes will benefit the world, he said.

Xi’s remarks come against speculations that BRI project pushes recipient countries into debt trap, refrains from technology transfer and do not align with the sustainability goal of environment.

Stressing that Boao forums have produced many valuable ‘Boao proposals’ since its inception, President Xi said such proposals have helped in building co-operation in Asia.

Calling for unity among Asian countries’ governments, business community, intellectuals and opinion makers, Xi said: “We have no choice but to pursue integrated connectivity to promote common prosperity.”

Asian countries should stay connected to enhance regional economy, promote dialogues and shared responsibility with the future in mind, Xi stressed.

Calling for trade and economic liberalisation among Asian countries, Xi said that China will open up even wider because opening up was the key to China’s rapid growth over the past 40 years.