BEIJING -- The joint construction of the Belt and Road has maintained a sound momentum despite shocks from factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday.

In the past year, the "hard connectivity" of infrastructure made solid progress, the "institutional connectivity" of rules and standards yielded fruitful results, and the "people-to-people connectivity" featuring mutual help and assistance continued to deepen, Wang said at a press conference.

Since last year, 10 more countries have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China, bringing the Belt and Road family to 180 members, he said.

With more partners, stronger foundation and brighter prospects, the Belt and Road is sure to create new development opportunities to the post-COVID world, according to Wang.

China will work with the international community to continue advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, making the initiative a "belt of development" to the benefit of the world and a "road to happiness" for people of all countries, Wang said.