Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during a high-level symposium on the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the UN Headquarters in New York June 13, 2018. The Belt and Road Initiative was proposed by China, but the opportunities and fruits it presents belong to the whole world, said Ma Zhaoxu on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Belt & Road Initiative is a public good that follows international rules, said Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, at a high-level symposium on the Chinese initiative at UN Headquarters on Wednesday.

It is a platform for cooperation that operates in line with the law of the market, he said.

China has proposed the initiative for stronger economic cooperation. It is not about geopolitical rivalry. Rather than a zero-sum game, China pursues extensive consultation, joint development and shared benefits, he said.

In other words, all countries, big or small, join the discussion on an equal footing; all countries use their own strengths to contribute to the development of the Belt and Road Initiative; and the fruits of the initiative are shared by all countries and their people, Ma said.

The Belt & Road Initiative is an open, transparent and inclusive platform for international cooperation. All those who recognize the Silk Road spirit are welcomed to join, he said.

In May 2017, China held the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. The forum was attended by 29 heads of state and government, senior representatives of more than 140 countries, and leading officials from more than 80 international organizations. The joint communique of the leaders' roundtable meeting contains over 270 deliverables, enhancing the international consensus on the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative, Ma said.

China is ready to work with all parties, under the principle of extensive consultation, joint development and shared benefits, to implement the outcomes of the forum and deliver more benefits to people across the world, he said.