Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli presides over a work conference on the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 16, 2018. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee also attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli called for more efforts in building the Belt and Road Tuesday.

Addressing a conference on the initiative, Zhang said China should continue to push pilot projects under the initiative to connect infrastructure and policy.

Trade and investment cooperation should be improved and new growth drivers found for the common development along the Belt and Road, he said.

China needs better financial products and services for the initiative, he said.

People-to-people exchanges should provide public support for the Belt and Road, he said.

China should also strengthen environmental protection to ensure green development.

Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also attended the meeting.