BEIJING, Nov 22 (INP) China is "pleased to see" Japan's enthusiasm for the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said. The Belt and Road Initiative is an international public product offered by China to promote development and cooperation, Lu told a regular press briefing adding that it has been an open and inclusive platform from the beginning. He was responding to Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono's praise of the infrastructural and trade development initiative during a speech last Saturday. Kono said the initiative would be very beneficial to the global economy if it is open and available to all. China, Lu said, is committed to the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration in pursuing the Belt and Road. He noted that the project will not only facilitate China's opening-up and development, but also create greater opportunities for Japan and other countries as well as the world economy. Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. INP/AH/LK