The home of Confucius and Mencius, Shandong province expects to use the Belt and Road Initiative as a platform to promote its cultural heritage on the international stage, according to local officials.

"The Belt and Road Initiative is not only a platform for business connections, but also a facilitator for cultural exchange," said Wang Tingqi, deputy chief of the Shandong Culture Bureau.

He said the province is the birthplace of Confucianism, holding a unique place in China's cultural development for more than 2,000 years.