Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) meets with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan in Geneva, Switzerland, Jan. 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

GENEVA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- China and the World Health Organization (WHO) pledged here Wednesday to step up health cooperation under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

A memorandum of understanding in this regard was signed between the two sides at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, witnessed by visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and WHO Director-General Margaret Chan.

"China welcomes the WHO's active participation in the construction of the Belt and Road, and of a 'healthy' Silk Road," Xi said during a meeting with Chan.

Chan echoed Xi's remarks, saying that the WHO is willing to enhance cooperation with China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, amid efforts to improve the public health in countries along the Belt and Road.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013, refers to the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) meets with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan (2nd R) in Geneva, Switzerland, Jan. 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)