Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a news conference at the Belt and Road Forum, at the International Conference Center in Yanqi Lake, north of Beijing, on May 15, 2017. A Chinese government think tank expects the upcoming 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to further boost development of the Belt and Road. (JASON LEE / POOL / AFP)

BEIJING - A Chinese government think tank expects the upcoming 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to further boost development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

A wide range of policies and documents may be released at this year's forum, providing support for future development of the Belt and Road, Wang Xiaoquan said

Wang Xiaoquan, secretary of the Belt and Road research center with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said the forum is expected to produce a wider consensus in the international community to advance the Belt and Road Initiative.

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The forum is scheduled to open in Beijing in late April. 

Representatives from over 100 countries, including about 40 government leaders, have confirmed their attendance.

A wide range of policies and documents may be released at this year's forum, providing support for the Belt and Road's future development, Wang said.

Wang also expects the forum to provide a boon in boosting the people-to-people connectivity among countries participating in the development of the Belt and Road.

The CASS released a report on the Belt and Road development, claiming that the initiative, after five years of joint development, has become an important platform for promoting globalization.

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To date, 124 countries and 29 international organizations have signed cooperation agreements with China on the Belt and Road Initiative.