China Hosts International Leaders at Latest Belt and Road Summit

China Hosts International Leaders at Latest Belt and Road Summit

China Hosts International, Leaders at Latest , Belt and Road Summit.

'The Guardian' reports that world leaders have gathered in Beijing to join China's belt and road initiative (BRI) forum.

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'The Guardian' reports that world leaders have gathered in Beijing to join China's belt and road initiative (BRI) forum.

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The forum is the third of its kind since the global development drive was initiated by President Xi Jinping ten years ago.

The BRI was originally meant to serve as a physical and digital infrastructure project connecting China with the rest of the world.

The project later transformed into a massive financing vehicle for Chinese lenders to back projects across the world.

Of over 130 countries attending the two-day summit, the most senior European Union representative is expected to be Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orbán.

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Of over 130 countries attending the two-day summit, the most senior European Union representative is expected to be Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orbán.

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Also scheduled to attend the summit is Russian president Vladimir Putin and a representative of the Taliban.

Also scheduled to attend the summit is Russian president Vladimir Putin and a representative of the Taliban.

'The Guardian' reports that the summit emphasizes that China and Russia's political priorities are aligned, despite Beijing promoting a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.

'The Guardian' reports that the summit emphasizes that China and Russia's political priorities are aligned, despite Beijing promoting a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.

Since the BRI's inception in 2013, China's development goals have been hampered by a trade war with the U.S., Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, China pushed its global development initiative (GDI) at the UN general assembly, linking the concept with the UN's sustainable development goals.

Last week, China published a white paper stating that “the ultimate goal of the BRI is to help build a global community of shared future.”.

According to the paper, rather than focusing solely on economic development, the BRI will take on issues like food security, infectious diseases and climate change