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, a vast global infrastructure network which he has called an alternative to Western-led development
The two leaders affirmed support in a bilateral discussion ahead of a press conference by Putin later on Wednesday
The rare overseas trip by Putin, who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes, comes as his Ukraine invasion leaves him increasingly isolated
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 its total wealth
"Close political coordination is necessary in current difficult times," Putin tells Xi during their bilateral meeting, according to Reuters.
Xi for his part called for "joint efforts" to safeguard "justice", according to Chinese state media.
The bilateral meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin has started at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, state-run television CCTV reports.
We will bring you updates as they happen.
Tessa Wong
Asia Digital Reporter
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.
Annabelle Liang
BBC News, Business reporter
As Xi hosts Putin and other world leaders in Beijing, China reports that its economy grew at a faster-than-expected pace of 4.9% in the third quarter.
While the third quarter results beat analysts' expectations, it was slower than the 6.3% expansion seen in the second quarter.
A slump in property investments continued, in a sign of waning interest in the crisis-hit sector.
Qian Wang, Asia Pacific chief economist at investment firm Vanguard, believes the world's second largest economy is on track to achieve its 5% growth target for the year.
"The latest GDP data signals that the worst is behind us, thanks to the incremental but extensive policy support provided by the Chinese government," she says.
Image source, ReutersHere are the highlights of Xi's keynote address at the Belt and Road Summit
Image source, ReutersPutin spends a big portion of his speech praising China and its success around the BRI.
"When we start something big, we expect that it will be successful. But undertsanding the global scale, it is hard to expect everything will be well," he says.
"But our Chinese friends did it," he says.
Putin says that as the biggest country in the world, Russia's ties with other countries are imporant,.
He also says Russia's vision is "in tune" with China's plans - which seeks cooperation instead of rivalry, another veiled attempt at attacking western powers, including the US.
President Xi's opening address has ended. He's handed the mic over to Russian President Putin.
Xi says towards the end of his speech, “Seeing other people’s development as a threat, and economic interdependence as a risk, will not allow you to live better and develop faster."
“Treating others as a risk will not make your life better or develop faster," he adds.
"Belt and Road cooperation is based on planning together, building together," Chinese president says in his opening address.
"It transcends differences between cultures, civilisations and stages of development," he says, positioning the BRI as an alternative to Western frameworks.
He says the BRI establishes a new framework for international cooperation and development "for all".
"When China does well, the world can do even better," he says.
"Geopolitical rivalry, ideological confrontations are not a choice for us. We stand against unilateral sanctions, decoupling of supply chain and disruptions," he adds.
Belt and Road projects "cover the land, ocean, sky and the internet. This network has boosted the flow of goods, capital, technology, and human resources among countries involved," Xi says.
He compares the BRI network to the ancient Silk Road, invoking images of "camel caravans and sailing ships of the past age."
He also says iron gas pipelines, and power tranmission networks can "fulfil the dreams of many countries to develop low carbon technology."
We'll be following the Chinese president's opening address. Stay with us for any important lines.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have just arrived, striding into the hall together.
Mr Xi then took his place on the podium at the centre of the front row, with Mr Putin right next to him.
International guests have started arriving at the Great Hall of the People for the opening ceremony.
Before Chinese President Xi Jinping opens the summit with a speech, he will first take a group photo with all the participants after they've all arrived.
Annabelle Liang
BBC News, Business reporter
We are awaiting a speech from Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Belt and Road forum.
Xi is set to lay out plans for his signature policy, which over the last decade, has led to the construction of roads, railways and ports around the world.
He also has the "bigger" task of reassuring partners that they will reap economic befits from the undertaking, says Eswar Prasad, a senior professor of trade policy at Cornell University.
"Xi Jinping will be rebooting the Belt and Road Initiative in a way that makes it more appealing to partners of China to engage in this effort," Professor Eswar says.
"China has their interests in mind on top of its own interests."
Joel Guinto
BBC News
Image source, ReutersGood morning from Singapore. The Belt and Road summit kicks off in Beijing in an hour or so, and we are covering it from Singapore, together with our correspondents across Asia.
Xi Jinping welcomed Vladimir Putin and other world leaders to the Chinese capital last night, ahead of today's opening ceremonies.
Xi is due to speak today and his statements will be closely watched for the direction of his Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) 10 years after its launch.
The Chinese president is also scheduled to meet with Putin, who is on a rare overeas trip.
Yesterday, world leaders from as far as Africa and South America held bilateral meetings with China's top diplomat, Wang Yi.
Together with me on this live page are my colleagues Derek Cai and Annabelle Liang in Singapore, as well as Nicole Ng in Sydney.
We are pausing our live coverage until tomorrow, when Xi Jinping is expected to deliver his keynote speech.
China's official news agency Xinhua has reported that the opening ceremony where Xi is due to speak is happening on the summit's second and last day - Wednesday.
We will also be following the meeting between Xi and Putin tomorrow.
On behalf of my colleagues Kelly Ng, Ian Tang and Nicole Ng, thank you for joining us.
Much of the action at the two-day summit is expected to take place on Wednesday.
As for today, Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a welcome banquet for delegates. Several world leaders will also spend today in bilateral meetings. Among the leaders that Xi has met with are Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to meet the leaders of Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia and Laos today.
A CEO conference will also be held today.
The opening ceremony will take place tomorrow, when Xi will also deliver a keynote speech.
Xi and Putin are also expected to meet tomorrow.
Leaders from all over the globe are in Beijing to attend the forum marking the Belt and Road Initiative's 10th anniversary. Here are some of them:
Image source, Getty ImagesLaos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith is accompanied by his wife Naly Sisoulith
Image source, Getty ImagesHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives at Beijing on Sunday
Image source, Getty ImagesIndonesia's President Joko Widodo arriving with first lady Iriana Joko Widodo on Monday
Image source, Getty ImagesCambodian newly-minted prime minister Hun Manet and his wife Pich Chanmony
Putin arrived this morning in Beijing to attend Xi's Belt and Road Summit.
He is due to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia and Laos today before his meeting with Xi tomorrow.
Watch: Russian leader Vladimir Putin touches down in Beijing