France, Italy and Germany have all confirmed their intention to become the founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on Tuesday.

France, Italy and Germany have all confirmed their intention to become the founding members of the Asian Infrastructure1 Investment Bank on Tuesday.

 

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.