China is hosting a forum for its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with attendees from 130 countries, including Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. However, the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and the Ukraine crisis are likely to dominate discussions, diverting attention from China’s flagship project.
The BRI is a signature project of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the forum aims to highlight its global reach, positioning China as a leading global power. However, Israel’s continued military actions against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip are expected to overshadow the event’s agenda.
Israel declared war on Hamas after a surprise attack by Hamas fighters on October 7, resulting in over 1,400 deaths, mostly civilians. Gaza has since endured continuous attacks, leading to widespread destruction and the displacement of over one million people.
While China hopes to use the forum to enhance its global status, Israel’s actions in Gaza have garnered international attention. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned Israel’s actions as exceeding the bounds of self-defense and called for an end to the violence. However, China has faced criticism for not specifically naming Hamas in its statements on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Wang Yi spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who urged China to use its influence in the Middle East to promote peace. China has close ties with Iran, which supports both Hamas and Hezbollah, a Lebanese group that could potentially escalate the conflict.
China’s special envoy, Zhai Jun, is set to visit the Middle East to advocate for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and encourage peace talks, though specific countries to be visited were not disclosed.
Leaders from various countries have already arrived in Beijing for the two-day BRI forum, including Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Chile’s President Gabriel Boric, Kenya’s President William Ruto, and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose relationship with China has grown strategically important, is also expected to attend. China and Russia have seen increased trade, particularly in Russian oil, as international sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have taken effect.
Xi Jinping and Putin have emphasized their close friendship, with their alliance driven by a mutual need for each other’s support in countering Western dominance. Putin has praised Xi’s leadership and the significance of the BRI in a multipolar world.
The BRI forum will serve as a platform for Beijing to garner support for its positions on global issues, with leaders’ attendance symbolizing their alignment with China’s perspectives.
