Xi Jinping makes plenty of promises on belt and road plan, but can China deliver?
- Chinese president vows to stick to international rules and standards as he seeks to show that Beijing is paying heed to concerns
- Joint statement issued after three-day summit emphasises financial sustainability, pollution control and anti-corruption efforts
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday vowed to stick to international rules and standards as he appealed for more countries and global financial institutions to join Beijing’s controversial trade and infrastructure scheme.
The president’s conciliatory tone during the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing was apparently aimed at critics in the United States, India, Japan and major European powers such as Germany and France.
Their leaders shunned the summit, citing concerns that Beijing often ignored global rules and that its infrastructure splurge was a scheme to expand China’s sphere of influence at their expense.
Speaking to nearly 40 leaders from Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America on the final day of the forum on Saturday, Xi promised that, based on the principle of joint contribution and shared benefits, the initiative would be carried out according to internationally accepted rules, standards and best practices.
