China has asked North Korea to be a part of its One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative, a plan to increase multinational economic cooperation and development along the “silk road” trade route to Europe.

The news was announced by the Chinese embassy in the DPRK after Ambassador Li Jinjun met with North Korea’s Foreign Trade Minister Ri Ryong Nam on Tuesday.

The plan is backed by a $40 billion-development fund, and divided into overland and maritime trade belts.

“Ambassador Li introduced the concept and vision of ‘One Belt, One Road’ and hopes the two sides will work together to seize