QUANZHOU, Fujian, Feb. 11 -- A two-day international seminar on beefing up maritime trade infrastructure in Asia opened on Wednesday in southeast China's Quanzhou City.

Over 280 academics and experts from 30 countries have been invited to discuss proposals to build a "21st Century Maritime Silk Road". The event is themed "collectively building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and creating a community of common destiny".

It will involve three round table meetings covering the topics of "the values and significance of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative", "working together for common development and prosperity" and "seizing fresh development opportunities and tapping new cooperation prospects".

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a modernization of the ancient Silk Road trading network to benefit the Asia region.

The seminar is hosted by the State Council Information Office and co-organized by Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China International Publishing Group and the Fujian Academy of Social Sciences.