Beijing: China says 37 world leaders or heads of government will arrive in Beijing next week for its second Belt and Road forum to discuss Chinese President Xi Jinping's grand infrastructure project.

But the United States won't be among them.

"Some countries, when it can't succeed, it doesn't want others to succeed. This sour grapes mentality is to no-one's benefit," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in comments believed to be directed at Washington.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the announcement. Credit:AP

Wang shrugged off claims that China was creating "debt traps" for other countries. He said the focus of the forum would be making "high quality development" the priority of Belt and Road projects. Projects needed to be suitable for host countries, and meet international regulations and best practice, he said.