On project pipeline and headquarters establishment. All Prospective Founding Members will work together on project pipeline development to ensure the Bank would be fully geared for a stellar debut upon its official establishment. Moreover, as the host country, China will continue to deliver good services to facilitate work associated with the Bank's headquarters in Beijing, and provide strong and reliable support to enable efficient operation of the Bank.

The AIIB initiative has come a long way since its inception. Nevertheless, it is but a first step leading up to an "epic journey". More hard work lies ahead in our quest to build the AIIB into an international financial institution embodying the highest standards. I am convinced that with the concerted efforts of the 57 Prospective Founding Members, we will live up to the vision of building the AIIB into a multilateral development institution of the 21st Century, and contribute in a meaningful way to the great cause of regional and global development.

The author is Minister of Finance of China.