Australia to send senior official to China defence forum as ties stabilise

China Hosts International, Leaders at Latest , Belt and Road Summit. 'The Guardian' reports that world leaders have gathered in Beijing to join China's belt and road initiative (BRI) forum. . 'The Guardian' reports that world leaders have gathered in Beijing to join China's belt and road initiative (BRI) forum. . The forum is the third of its kind since the global development drive was initiated by President Xi Jinping ten years ago. The BRI was originally meant to serve as a physical and digital infrastructure project connecting China with the rest of the world. The project later transformed into a massive financing vehicle for Chinese lenders to back projects across the world. Of over 130 countries attending the two-day summit, the most senior European Union representative is expected to be Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orbán. . Of over 130 countries attending the two-day summit, the most senior European Union representative is expected to be Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orbán. . Also scheduled to attend the summit is Russian president Vladimir Putin and a representative of the Taliban. Also scheduled to attend the summit is Russian president Vladimir Putin and a representative of the Taliban. 'The Guardian' reports that the summit emphasizes that China and Russia's political priorities are aligned, despite Beijing promoting a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. 'The Guardian' reports that the summit emphasizes that China and Russia's political priorities are aligned, despite Beijing promoting a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. Since the BRI's inception in 2013, China's development goals have been hampered by a trade war with the U.S., Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, China pushed its global development initiative (GDI) at the UN general assembly, linking the concept with the UN's sustainable development goals. Last week, China published a white paper stating that “the ultimate goal of the BRI is to help build a global community of shared future.”. According to the paper, rather than focusing solely on economic development, the BRI will take on issues like food security, infectious diseases and climate change