Source: CNTV    Published: 2015-12-31

President Xi Jinping first raised the idea of reviving the Silk Road in Kazakhstan in 2013. He wanted to boost trade and connectivity between China and the rest of Asia. So what difference has the Belt and Road initiative made?

In 2015, I took an amazing trip along the ancient Silk Road, from Beijing all the way to Turkey`s Istanbul.

One of my deepest impressions along the way is the new-found optimism in almost all walks life.

Better business opportunities have led to an eagerness to observe and learn about other cultures and languages.

It`s also interesting to note that China`s path of development is now being replicated in other countries, where they are leveraging massive infrastructure investment to set the whole economic engine in motion.

Some governments are embracing the Belt and Road initiative by actively tearing down trade barriers

But amid opportunities, there are always challenges.

Increased terror threats along the way has been a major obstacle.

Seeing is believing. But even after witnessing them first hand, I still find it hard to believe that the changes can happen so fast, and on such a large scale.

If this momentum can be maintained, the romantic tales of the ancient Silk Road -- with camel caravans and merchants crossing the continent -- might soon become a modern reality.