This comes after UK's decision to throw its weight behind the AIIB last week.

 

Chinese foreign ministry² spokesman Hong Lei says China welcomes applications from any countries that want to join this financial platform.

 

"AIIB is an open and inclusive multilateral investment organization. The participation³ of countries outside the region shows that AIIB has a broad representation. China is willing to exert joint⁴ efforts with other parties, to make AIIB a professional and efficient investment platform for infrastructure construction with mutual⁵ benefits," said Hong during a press conference held Tuesday in Beijing.

 

Meanwhile the President of the European Union Parliament, Martin Schulz, said that he agrees with EU countries joining the China-backed, 50-billion-U.S.-dollar bank.

 

Answering a question about some of the EU countries' applications to join the Beijing-led bank, Schulz said "first answer: I find it good that they join. The second answer: if more member states would join I would find it even better. There is one additional element. Such new organizations must answer to the requirements of international standards. That's one important element."

 

The comment was made at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday after Schulz met with top Chinese leadership on Monday.

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