• Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. AFP
    Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. AFP
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin, second from right, arrives in Beijing, where he will attend the third Belt and Road Forum. EPA
    Russian President Vladimir Putin, second from right, arrives in Beijing, where he will attend the third Belt and Road Forum. EPA
  • Mr Putin among the heads of delegations participating in the forum. AFP
    Mr Putin among the heads of delegations participating in the forum. AFP
  • Chinese honour guards stand guard after welcoming Mr Putin at Beijing's international airport. Getty Images
    Chinese honour guards stand guard after welcoming Mr Putin at Beijing's international airport. Getty Images
  • The Russian leader, who rarely travels abroad, is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. EPA
    The Russian leader, who rarely travels abroad, is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. EPA
  • Mr Putin told Chinese state media ahead of his visit that he sees Belt and Road Initiative projects as a sign of China's 'desire for co-operation' abroad. Reuters
    Mr Putin told Chinese state media ahead of his visit that he sees Belt and Road Initiative projects as a sign of China's 'desire for co-operation' abroad. Reuters
  • Performers dance as Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez arrives at Beijing's international airport. Getty Images
    Performers dance as Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez arrives at Beijing's international airport. Getty Images
  • Mr Fernandez arrived in Beijing to take part in the Belt and Road Forum. EPA
    Mr Fernandez arrived in Beijing to take part in the Belt and Road Forum. EPA
  • A health worker mans a Covid-19 testing booth at the media centre of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. Bloomberg
    A health worker mans a Covid-19 testing booth at the media centre of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. Bloomberg
  • Residents pass by the logo for the Belt and Road Forum outside the China National Convention Centre in Beijing. AP
    Residents pass by the logo for the Belt and Road Forum outside the China National Convention Centre in Beijing. AP
  • Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, arrives in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum. Reuters
    Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, arrives in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum. Reuters
  • Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum. Reuters
    Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum. Reuters

Belt and Road Forum draws global leaders


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a summit to mark the 10th anniversary of China's flagship global trade project.

Chinese state media reported that the Russian leader, who rarely travels abroad, met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping ahead of attending the Belt and Road Forum on Wednesday.

The forum centres on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a grand plan launched by Mr Xi a decade ago that he hopes would build global infrastructure and energy networks connecting Asia with Africa and Europe through overland and maritime routes.

More than 130 countries and international organisations are set to attend the forum, which is expected to produce a series of trade agreements.

Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, headed the UAE delegation. In 2019, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced that the UAE and China had agreed deals worth $3.4 billion (Dh12.49bn) to bolster their economic ties.

Mr Putin told Chinese state media ahead of his visit that he sees BRI projects as a sign of China's “desire for co-operation” abroad. He praised the initiative, saying it is a platform for international co-operation, where “no one imposes anything on others”.

Since the start of the Ukrainian war, Russia has cemented its energy ties with China as a sign of their economic co-operation.

Russia exports around 2.0 million barrels of oil per day to China and Moscow also aims to build a second natural gas pipeline to China.

Trade between the two countries rose 30 per cent in the first half of 2023 and is expected to exceed $200 billion by the end of the year, according to the Russian government.

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

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While you're here
MATCH INFO

Chelsea 1 (Hudson-Odoi 90 1')

Manchester City 3 (Gundogan 18', Foden 21', De Bruyne 34')

Man of the match: Ilkay Gundogan (Man City)

What to watch out for:

Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways

The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof

The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history

Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure

Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The Two Popes

Director: Fernando Meirelles

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce 

Four out of five stars

The biog

Name: James Mullan

Nationality: Irish

Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)

Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”

Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Raghida, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Alareeq, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m 
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Liwa Oasis Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Trolius, Ryan Powell, Simon Crisford

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Updated: October 18, 2023, 5:30 AM