Rising Powers’ Mixed Response to Beijing’s Belt and Road Forum Once Again

Policy Alert #187 | April 30, 2019

April 25-27th, Beijing hosted the Second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) to promote its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) regional connectivity project. Notably absent were representatives from China’s regional neighbors: India and South Korea did not send official delegations, and Japan was represented by a special envoy rather than a high-ranking official. The United States, too, did not participate. Nevertheless, heads of state from thirty-six countries and attendees from over a hundred more showed up for the unveiling of new programs under the BRI, such as a Debt Sustainability Framework for participating countries, a Green Silk Road Envoys Program to train environmental officials, and a Legal Cooperation Research and Training Program to combat corruption. Participants also signed numerous bilateral and multilateral documents and established new multilateral cooperation mechanisms, such as the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance which will aid in coordination between key investment banks working in participating regions. Still, the Forum appeared to be more of a photo op with symbolic exchanges rather than a substantive meeting.

 

CHINA

In his speech at the opening ceremony of the BRF, Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed that China would continue its process of “major reform and opening-up” in the years to come by expanding its market access for foreign investment, improving the protection of intellectual property, increasing its imports of goods and services, and expanding its engagement in international economic policy coordination. “We are convinced that a more open China will further integrate itself into the world and deliver greater progress and prosperity for both China and the world at large,” Xi concluded.

 

INDIA

As with the First Belt and Road Forum in 2017, India boycotted the event to demonstrate its opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative. One of the key projects of the Initiative, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), passes through Pakistan-occupied areas of the Kashmir region which India claims.

 

RUSSIA

Russian President Vladimir Putin represented his country at the Forum. At a roundtable discussion, President Putin outlined his country’s investments in transportation and communication infrastructure as part of its larger efforts to improve connectivity: “Russia is committed to active joint work with all interested partners in seeking new growth drivers, boosting relations in the Eurasian continent, and achieving many other common goals. I am confident that by taking joint efforts we will succeed for the benefit of our nations and all Eurasian states.” When asked about how the BRI benefits Russia at a news conference following the roundtable, Putin replied, “Does this meet our interests? Absolutely.”

 

JAPAN

Secretary-General of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party Toshihiro Nikai served as an envoy to the BRF and presented a cordial letter from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to President Xi. Abe, meanwhile, met with US President Donald Trump in Washington as part of ongoing trade negotiations on April 26th.

 

RPI acknowledges support from the MacArthur Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York for its activities.