MORE than 30 countries are waiting to join the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), adding to its 57 founding members, its president said Friday.

    The AIIB, first proposed by President Xi Jinping less than two years ago, has become one of China’s biggest foreign policy successes.

    Despite the opposition of Washington, almost many major U.S. allies — Australia, Britain, German, Italy, the Philippines and South Korea — have joined.

    China says it will be an international institution and not used to boost its influence.

    Speaking on the sidelines of the Boao Forum on southern China’s Hainan island, AIIB president Jin Liqun said the bank was working on accepting the new members.

    “Over the past two years, we have achieved the purpose of convincing all the members — now we have 57, with more than 30 countries on the waiting list eager to join,” Jin said. Jin did not identify the prospective members.

    The Chinese territory of Hong Kong may also be allowed to become a member, he said.

    (SD-Agencies)