BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping made a significant statement at the opening ceremony of a forum of international delegates to the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing. This event, which hosts representatives from 130 countries, focuses on Xi’s vast trade and infrastructure project.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on his first major global trip since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, was at the top of the guest list and held talks with Xi on the sidelines of the forum. The Israel-Hamas conflict loomed large over these discussions.
Xi emphasized that China rejects “economic coercion” and “bloc confrontation.” He expressed opposition to unilateral sanctions, economic coercion, decoupling, and delinking, underlining the importance of global economic interdependence.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to enhance policy, infrastructure, trade, financial, and people-to-people connectivity, with the goal of injecting new impetus into the global economy. Xi stressed that win-win cooperation is essential for successful development.
Xi concluded by stating that the Belt and Road Initiative, which originated in China, has achievements and opportunities that belong to the world. He emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation with BRI partners and working toward the modernization of every country.
Russian President Putin, in his address to delegates, praised the BRI initiative as an unexpected “success story,” highlighting the global dimensions of the initiative and the positive impact it has had.
During the forum, both leaders discussed various aspects of their cooperation, and Xi alluded to recent geopolitical conflicts during an official banquet, while emphasizing the unstoppable trend of peace.
The United States has called on China to use its influence to help de-escalate the Israel-Hamas conflict, while Russia has advocated for an “immediate ceasefire” in the ongoing conflict. China’s special envoy, Zhai Jun, is expected to push for a ceasefire and peace talks, although specific travel details have not been disclosed.
