Summary

  • 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

Live Reporting

Edited by Joel Guinto

  1. Who’s joining Xi’s party in Beijing

    Beijing airport has been busy the past few days welcoming world leaders for the BRI summit.

    At the top of the guest list is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Beijing this morning. This is his first major overseas trip since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.

    The Taliban is also scheduled to participate in the forum, which was first reported by Reuters. It will underscore the group’s growing relations with Beijing despite a lack of formal recognition by any government.

    Many other world leaders arrived on the eve of the event: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith.

  2. What exactly is Belt and Road?

    The theme banners of the Belt and Road Forum in BeijingGetty Images

    The third Belt and Road Forum will be held in Beijing from 17 to 18 Oct

    It is Xi’s ambitious plan to connect China to South East Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, through a vast network of land and sea routes.

    At its core, it’s a colossal undertaking. Since its inception 10 years ago, China has built high speed rails, gas pipelines and sea ports.

    These infrastructure networks aim to reduce travel time so that passengers and cargo can flow freer and faster.

    But some analysts say the Belt and Road will put China at the centre of all the trade routes, re-wire current networks, thereby cementing the country’s status as a global superpower.

  3. Welcome to our live coverage

    Joel Guinto
    BBC News

    Hello from Singapore.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has just arrived in Beijing for the Belt and Road Summit that is being hosted by his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

    It's the 10th anniversary of Xi’s ambitious plan to connect China to the world through roads, trains, ports, and investments.

    Mr Xi is due to speak today at the opening of the two-day summit and a meeting with Putin is also being scheduled.

    Stay with us as we bring you updates and analysis from our correspondents in China and across Asia. In Singapore, I am with my colleagues Kelly Ng and Derek Cai.