China's Ministry of Finance said Saturday that the country welcomes the decisions of the Netherlands, Brazil and Georgia to apply to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

They will become founding members on April 12 if other members approve, according to a statement on the ministry website.

The AIIB is expected to be founded by the end of this year. It aims to support infrastructure projects in Asia.

The deadline of application is March 31 and the final number of founding members will be confirmed on April 15.