China to Hold Belt and Road Forum

Facts

• The PRC is set to host leaders of 130 nations for a two-day Belt and Road Initiative forum on Tuesday, amid raging crisis in the Middle East.¹
• Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping has reportedly set clear goals for the forum; publicizing China's backing of economic development and projecting the country as an alternative global leader to the US.²
• The forum is also intended to allow Beijing to showcase Jinping's significant initiatives, including the $10B Global Development Initiative the Chinese president launched in 2021 to promote social and economic development.³
• While the forum is expected to boost the PRC's standing as a leading global power, the Israel-Gaza war will likely continue to dominate international reporting.⁴
• China has condemned Israel for going 'beyond the scope of self-defense' in response to attacks by Hamas and called for the nation to 'cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza.' However, it hasn't named Hamas in statements on the conflict.⁵

Sources: ¹CNA, ²CNN, ³Reuters, ⁴Al Jazeera and ⁵DW.

Narratives

• Pro-China narrative, as provided by Global Times. As turbulence plagues the Middle East and Europe, China's diplomatic and investment efforts are bringing together leaders from across the globe to promote international cooperation, peace, and stability. The Belt and Road Forum exemplifies China's continuing influence on the world stage.
• Anti-China narrative, as provided by The Telegraph. While the western world imposes sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, and works towards brokering peace and ensuring security in the middle east, China is giving a platform to Putin and member's of Afghanistan's Taliban government. Beijing is not interested in global peace, but in strengthening engagement with oppressive administrations.

Predictions