The plan, officially called the One Belt, One Road—or OBOR—initiative, is a signature foreign and economic policy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, envisioning massive infrastructure spending to link China to Asia and beyond.

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang told reporters Tuesday there are "many opportunities and space for cooperation" between China and Australia for One Belt, One Road, a subject he said Li would bring up on his Australia visit.

"I believe these discussions will have positive results," Zheng said, without elaborating.