Xi Jinping says China will ‘consider’ hosting Belt and Road Forum in 2023

Name: China relaxes Covid measures, cuts quarantine on arrival to 5 days
Uploaded: 2022-11-18T12:30:10.000Z
Duration: 1 min 32 s
Description: China relaxes Covid measures, cuts quarantine on arrival to 5 days

Conference would ‘inject new impetus’ into development of Asia-Pacific region, Chinese president says

Event has been paused since Covid-19 hit but previously drew leaders and delegates from more than 200 countries and organisations

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Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok on Friday. Photo: Bloomberg

Cyril Ip

Published: 8:30pm, 18 Nov 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping has hinted that Beijing might stage the first Belt and Road Forum since 2019 as China relaxes its zero-Covid policies.

“Next year, China will consider hosting the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, injecting new impetus into the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific and the world,” Xi told Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha during his visit to Bangkok for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Friday.

“Over the past few decades, economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific has developed vigorously and created the ‘Asia-Pacific Miracle’, which attracted worldwide attention,” Xi said in an address to Prayuth, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

“Now, as the world is once again standing at the crossroads of history, the Asia-Pacific is even more important and plays an even more prominent role.”

The 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, held in 2019, drew leaders and representatives from more than 200 countries and international organisations.

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China relaxes Covid measures, cuts quarantine on arrival to 5 days

The news that the event might resume after a four-year break comes as China eases it strict zero-Covid rules, with some predicting the country will further reopen by March or April.