BEIJING, March 25 (Xinhua) -- All countries interested in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are welcomed to join, China's Vice Finance Minister Shi Yaobin said on Wednesday.

"The AIIB is an open and inclusive multilateral development bank. China welcomes all countries to join and make contributions to the infrastructure improvement in Asia," Shi said, responding to a question on whether China communicated with the United States or Japan during the preparation for AIIB.

"China has been in communication with Australia, the Republic of Korea, the U.S. and Japan. However, China will respect their decision whether or when to join," he said.