While the Belt and Road Forum was intended to focus on international cooperation and trade, the conflict in the Middle East and the response of world leaders, including China and Russia, cast a shadow over the event. Notably, neither Putin nor Xi mentioned the conflict explicitly in their speeches at the gathering.
China and Russia have called for a ceasefire in the conflict but have refrained from explicitly condemning Hamas, in contrast to the strong support for Israel from the United States and European leaders. The report also mentions that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire during the forum's opening ceremony.
The news underscores the political trust between Xi and Putin and their shared vision of a "fairer, multi-polar world." It highlights China's ambitions to reshape the global world order and its opposition to unilateral sanctions and geopolitical rivalry, seen as veiled references to the United States.
The Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to boost global connectivity through Chinese infrastructure projects, was a central theme of the forum. Xi presented it as an alternative development model for the world, emphasizing China's commitment to multilateral cooperation and development for all nations.
The report also mentions that over 150 countries have cooperated on the Belt and Road program, despite increasing challenges such as China's slowing economy and concerns about its debt-related impact.
In summary, the news report discusses the meeting between Putin and Xi at the Belt and Road Forum, their discussions about the Middle East conflict, and China's aspirations to play a leading role in reshaping the global world order through initiatives like the Belt and Road.