Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on African countries to take part in the "One belt, One road" initiative, stressing that Africa had historically been a part of the Silk road economic belt, as well as of the Maritime Silk road.

Wang Yi called on Sunday on African states to participate in the Silk road project, aimed at connecting China with the rest of Eurasia, Oceania and East Africa.

"China calls on African countries to participate in the implementation of the 'One belt, One road' strategy," Wang said, according to the statement published on the ministry's website. He stressed that Africa had historically been a part of the Silk road economic belt, as well as of the Maritime Silk road.