BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- China expects that the European Union will play a constructive role in improving the connectivity between Europe and Asia, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

　　Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a news briefing, commenting on a newly released European Commission plan which presents its vision to better connect Europe with Asia and lists China as its primary cooperation partner.

　　In the plan that calls for a comprehensive, sustainable and rule-based connectivity, the EU expresses its willingness to boost cooperation with China and other Asian countries.

　　"We expect that the European Union will play a constructive role in improving connectivity between Europe and Asia, send a positive signal to the world to promote economic cooperation among all countries in the two continents and build an open world economy," said Geng.

　　Enhancing connectivity between the two continents is conducive to opening up new prospects for regional and world economic growth, and increasing new impetus into the cooperation between countries in Asia and Europe, which accords with the common interests of all parties concerned, said Geng.

　　"China always supports the push for enhancing connectivity between the Asian and European continents, which is also a major goal of the Belt and Road Initiative," Geng said, adding that Chinese and European leaders have reached consensus on promoting the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the EU-proposed connectivity plan.

　　"We believe that with the joint efforts of China and Europe, connectivity between Asia and Europe is sure to continue forging ahead, bringing more benefits to people in all countries across the region," said the spokesperson.