Beijing, Oct 9 (IANS): Members of over 50 political parties and organisations from more than 30 countries will participate in a special conference on the Silk Road Economic Belt in Beijing next week.

The "Asian Political Parties' special conference on the Silk Road" will be held from October 14 to 16, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee said on Friday.

The theme of the conference will be "New Vision of the Silk Road, Actions for Common Development", Xinhua news agency reported.

The conference will help countries increase their understanding of the Belt and Road initiative, as well as deepen cooperation between Asian countries and other countries along the Silk Road, said the department.

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative to promote connectivity, cooperation and common prosperity along the ancient land and maritime Silk Road trade routes.

The Belt and Road routes run through Asia, Europe and Africa, connecting East Asia economic circle at one end and European economic circle at the other, and encompassing countries with huge potential for economic development, according to an official statement by Chinese government.