BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking at the commencement of a summit celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Beijing, reiterated his nation’s rejection of “economic pressure” and “group confrontations” on Wednesday.
In his address to a diverse assembly of international delegates, Xi extolled the grand vision of developing comprehensive global infrastructure and energy networks that would interlink Asia with Africa and Europe via both terrestrial and maritime routes. He proudly noted that these ambitious “blueprints have transformed into tangible projects.”
The forum welcomed representatives from over 130 countries, with a significant presence from the Global South. Among the prominent attendees was Xi’s close ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“China firmly opposes any unilateral sanctions, economic pressures, efforts to disengage, or disruptions to supply chains,” Xi proclaimed to the audience of over 1,000 delegates, gathered in the opulent conference chamber within the Great Hall of the People, located to the west of Tiananmen Square.
