Abstract:
In the Belt and Road construction, border areas on the land route have become the frontier of opening up and the center of
development. With the cultural diversity brought about by factors such as multi-groups, multi-religions, and multi-languages, the
areas have been the cultural force in the Belt and Road construction. People-to-people bond provides the public support for the
implementing the Initiative, and is the most advantageous part in the opening up of ethnic minority groups in border areas. Regional
autonomous areas for ethnic minorities should make full use of the cultural force and realize the roles of culture in facilitating peopleto-
people bond. Ethnic and religious issues are vital for the Belt and Road construction.

Key words: the Belt and Road, development of western areas, cultural force