Summary
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have addressed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) summit in Beijing

Xi has laid out his vision for the BRI, which he has positioned as an alternative to Western-led development

The two leaders are due to hold a bilateral discussion later as Russia's invasion of Ukraine leaves Putin increasingly isolated

Putin's rare overseas trip to Beijing underscores the strength of the alliance between Russia and China

The trillion-dollar BRI aims to bring China closer to the world through infrastructure and investments

More than 145 countries have signed up, accounting for three-quarters of the world's population and half of the globe's total wealth

Analysis
In the past year, Beijing has been on a mission – to sell its vision of a new world order. Xi’s speech today, redolent with Silk Road references and colourful proverbs, was the latest move in this charm offensive.

In the lead-up to the BRI’s 10th anniversary, China has positioned the initiative as the bedrock of a new form of globalisation. Xi emphasised this again, saying the BRI “represents the advancing of our times and the right path forward”.

He also denounced “ideological confrontation, geopolitical rivalry and bloc politics”, unilateral sanctions and “decoupling supply chains”.

These were clear references to the complicated rivalry China has with the US. Beijing has often criticised Washington for “hegemonic” behaviour and what it sees as an unfair form of American-led globalisation.

Xi sold the BRI as a more just and inclusive alternative, saying the BRI has stoked “win-win cooperation” where “the flame runs higher when everyone adds wood”.

He also said, “the BRI is on the right side of history”. But it remains to be seen how many countries will agree with him and follow China down the road it is carving for the world.

Source: AL Jazeera 

BDST: 0951 HRS, OCT 18, 2023
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