In opening ceremony, president provides global vision for improvements to nations participating in initiative

President Xi Jinping pledged on Sunday to boost financial support for the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative amid China's substantial efforts to transfer the visionary initiative into practical projects.

China will contribute an additional 100 billion yuan ($14.49 billion) to the Silk Road Fund, Xi said in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the two-day Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.