The International Forum, which China is hosting now as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, opened in Beijing on Tuesday. Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“At the negotiations, the leaders, in a friendly and frank manner characteristic of our relations, will discuss current problems of bilateral practical cooperation and the international agenda, including the issues of creating a more equitable multipolar world order,” - said Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Yuri Ushakov.
The third forum of the “One Belt, One Road” project is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the initiative. The main theme of the meetings is “High-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road and joint efforts to achieve common development and prosperity.”
In total, more than 20 heads of state and government, including from countries of Eurasia, Africa and Latin America, are participating in the forum. The Chinese government said that over two days (October 17 and 18), the forum will bring together delegates from more than 130 countries.
Sergey Sanakoev, President of the Center for Research and Development Forecasts of the Asia-Pacific Region, Deputy Chairman of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, Deputy Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly, shared his impressions of the opening of the One Belt - One Road Forum. He is now in Beijing and is preparing to perform at the event venues.
“At the opening ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address and put forward 8 main steps for the further development of the initiative (BRI). Among them are the creation of a global communications network, the creation of special zones, colossal funding from leading Chinese banks, a green agenda, scientific and technological development and expanded cooperation in the humanitarian sphere.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, the main guest of the forum, noted in his speech that Russia, as the largest country in the world, plays a critical role in the BRI. I was pleased to note that my efforts in 2014 to support the Chinese initiative were not in vain. And today, first of all, among other global infrastructure projects being implemented in Russia, our President highlighted the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Northern Sea Route, as it was proposed by the Russian delegation at the forum in Boao in 2014.
I was pleasantly surprised by the speech of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who structured his speech in two languages - Chinese and Russian.
The forum continues, and I am preparing for my speeches at sub-forums on public relations between peoples not only in Beijing, but also in Zhengzhou.
It’s nice to meet old friends at the forum: Chairman of the China International Contractors Association (CHINA) Fang Qiuchen and President of the China Chamber of Electromechanical Products (CCCME) Zhang Yujing. We agreed to resume regular Russian-Chinese construction forums, interrupted during the pandemic.”