Forty-five China watchers from over 20 countries have joined the 2017 Symposium on China Studies, which runs from Sunday to Saturday.

Jointly hosted by China's Ministry of Culture and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the symposium will look at the Belt and Road Initiative.

A total of 26 sinologists and academics from countries including the United States, Germany, France, India and Kazakhstan, together with 19 Chinese scholars, are attending the event.

The symposium aims to provide a platform for sinologists to exchange views on traditional culture and modern China, Chinese solutions and global governance, as well as mutual development, according to the organizer.

"The Belt and Road Initiative offers more opportunities for international sinologists to exchange ideas on China studies and enhance communication between China and foreign academics," said Xie Jinying from the ministry.