According to the Fujian government, the province's investment in countries along the developing 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in 2015 reached $1.38 billion, an increase of 170 percent year-on-year.

Cai said competitive Chinese companies, either in traditional industries or emerging ones, should all seek opportunities under Beijing's Go Global strategy.

"You may find it challenging at first, but you can get some shining ideas," he said.

Food companies, for instance, will find a huge market for Muslim food, especially among the countries along the routes of the Belt and Road Initiative, Cai said.

As for his own company, the products have been exported to many countries through channels including transborder e-commerce. "We have sent batches of professionals to investigate overseas markets across the Belt and Road," he said.

Panpan has established a department for overseas business and is planning to build factories abroad, with an annual output that is expected to reach 10 billion yuan ($1.54 billion) in about two years.

"Without exaggeration, the Belt and Road Initiative is a wise decision made by China to occupy the highest point in the global economic chain," Cai said, adding it will also benefit countries along the route.

Contact the writers atlixiaokun@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 03/16/2016 page6)