The three-day Second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation has started in Beijing.

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping said joint building of the Belt and Road has opened up new space for the world's economic growth.

He said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has also created a new platform to boost international trade and investment, expand new practices to optimize global economic governance and make new contributions to improving well-being of people of all countries.

Xi Jinping said China will negotiate and sign high-standard free trade agreements with more countries.

He said China will also work with other parties to promote a coalition of sustainable cities and an international coalition for green development under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi said China will allow foreign investors to operate businesses in more sectors with controlling or full stake.