Xi Jinping hosts a grand international Belt and Road summit, honoring Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin received a warm welcome at a global summit in Beijing, reflecting the deepening solidarity between China and Russia. The meeting, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Xi's signature foreign and economic policy. Putin was the guest of honor among leaders and officials from over 130 countries. Putin's attendance at the summit is significant as he has been facing increasing diplomatic isolation due to his actions in Ukraine, and he has also been issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. However, since China is not a state party to the ICC's statutes, he is highly unlikely to be arrested there. Putin and Xi have long maintained a close relationship, and Wednesday's proceedings showcased their camaraderie. The opening ceremony took place in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, where Xi and Putin made a joint entrance, walking shoulder-to-shoulder in front of other world leaders. Putin also stood alongside Xi for the group photo and spoke after him during the event. The two leaders later had a three-hour bilateral meeting to discuss various issues. Putin's strong presence at the summit reflects China's continued support for Russia, despite Western criticism. In his speech, Putin expressed his support for the BRI and praised China's achievements. The BRI is a massive initiative involving significant investment and infrastructure projects worldwide, with an estimated trillion dollars poured in by China. Putin emphasized the shared aspirations of Russia, China, and other countries for cooperation and economic progress. The visit by Putin has fueled concerns that China and Russia are forming a bloc to challenge Western dominance. Both countries have publicly criticized the US-led "global hegemony" and advocated for a multipolar world with multiple centers of power. China released two white papers before the summit, positioning the BRI as the foundation of a more just and inclusive new world order. Xi continued to emphasize this point in his speech, denouncing ideological confrontation and rivalries while promoting win-win cooperation. He outlined an eight-point plan for the future of the BRI, including smaller projects, green development, and integrity building. While the BRI has received praise for boosting development, it has also faced criticism for causing excessive debt, environmental damage, corruption, and wasteful projects. The Beijing summit attracted participants from various countries, mostly from Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and representatives from Afghanistan's Taliban government.