Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan called on China to expand its flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with programs that improved connectivity among BRI countries at a roundtable of 38 world leaders in Beijing on Saturday during the Belt and Road Forum.

Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the BRI in 2013, and according to data from Refinitiv, the total value of projects in the scheme stands at $3.67 trillion, spanning countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and South America. In Pakistan, Chinese infrastructure projects worth $62 billion are planned under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“Pakistan is privileged to have been an early partner of China,” Khan said, “The CPEC is not a transaction. It is a transformation of our society.”

Pakistan is building highways, modernizing railroads, setting up power plants, establishing a port, and establishing special economic zones, the Prime Minister said.

Under the CPEC, Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, referred to as the CPEC’s ‘crown jewel,’ will connect with China’s northwestern Xinjiang region to provide shorter routes for China’s imports and significantly slash transport costs.

“China is a great success of the modern age: achieving sustained growth, transforming society, improving the quality of life of a billion people,” Khan said, while lauding the vision of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Khan suggested enhanced digital connectivity, improved information sharing about business opportunities and prices, better mobility of labour and transfer of skills for cost-effectiveness. He also called for the establishment of a BRI tourism corridor for cultural and tourism exchanges.

“Pakistan is at the cross-roads of important regions. Throughout our history, we have connected ideas, cultures, and commerce,” he said, “Connectivity has been a part of our heritage and CPEC is giving it modern shape in the 21st Century.”

For Pakistan, with its young population, future lies in developing skills and integration with the global economy,” he added.

Besides attending the forum, Khan will also hold bilateral meetings with Xi and Chinese PM Li Keqiang while he is in China and sign several MoUs and Agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation, the foreign office said in a statement on Thursday.

Earlier in his opening speech at the summit on Friday, Chinese President Xi said the massive infrastructure and trade plan should result in “high-quality” growth for all participating countries.

Xi’s plan to rebuild the old Silk Road has become mired in controversy recently as some partner nations have bemoaned the high cost of infrastructure projects. Beijing has responded by repeatedly saying it is not seeking to trap anyone in debt and only has good intentions, and has been looking to use this week’s summit in Beijing to recalibrate policy and address those concerns.

Xi said in a keynote speech that environmental protection must underpin the scheme “to protect the common home we live in.”