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Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum. Reuters
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Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. AFP
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, second from right, arrives in Beijing, where he will attend the third Belt and Road Forum. EPA
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Mr Putin among the heads of delegations participating in the forum. AFP
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Chinese honour guards stand guard after welcoming Mr Putin at Beijing's international airport. Getty Images
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The Russian leader, who rarely travels abroad, is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. EPA
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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
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Performers dance as Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez arrives at Beijing's international airport. Getty Images
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Mr Fernandez arrived in Beijing to take part in the Belt and Road Forum. EPA
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A health worker mans a Covid-19 testing booth at the media centre of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. Bloomberg
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Residents pass by the logo for the Belt and Road Forum outside the China National Convention Centre in Beijing. AP
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Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, arrives in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum. Reuters
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Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OCZ2AOAMD3DKHOF7T64I7WHSIQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=762c1ceb6f9bc6d2290cd008d702b93a64fb96c660a56648a543b29aede65155&width=400&height=225)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YNIPH6OZMOHXWG5J375FEULHZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=292ccefdd27f56e8bc0da9bb5510007efcbf052643f636b61d25a576b0d8db77&width=400&height=225)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, second from right, arrives in Beijing, where he will attend the third Belt and Road Forum. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/22BEXKCOTD5MKXWSGMBP7HQ2YI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d9032c53b833e954a591a06bd2f39ec79a24ea7b63501771f984a14cb3ba88f2&width=400&height=225)
Mr Putin among the heads of delegations participating in the forum. AFP
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Chinese honour guards stand guard after welcoming Mr Putin at Beijing's international airport. Getty Images
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The Russian leader, who rarely travels abroad, is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DMXAWRUWOB3FM4K4BZYQPNNISA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5312228a0c2baae942d57dfa46cb1708659c01eeeb78848813396ba49410a6ec&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TKRBN3NM7PPA4GC7RXJBGG6X3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=81de3c474d4797f4a9e07d5224491cd32a393dbae0d1cd3da8e02171879fe795&width=400&height=225)
Performers dance as Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez arrives at Beijing's international airport. Getty Images
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Mr Fernandez arrived in Beijing to take part in the Belt and Road Forum. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TCH2URD4E5BTBC5W63JHJS5QSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=1d6ae3a58805686aa38abcdcdd1fc4da4d7edb94b9d37b9075a5ec3fbd44591e&width=400&height=225)
A health worker mans a Covid-19 testing booth at the media centre of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GMPXCYRHQCSFS3UY7VHGGO7OIU.jpg?smart=true&auth=63ee5d4fcd698bd46f857a640d7385b7b59a943a190c1f15dd3d966b9c8b6a64&width=400&height=225)
Residents pass by the logo for the Belt and Road Forum outside the China National Convention Centre in Beijing. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WH64LYNLEXCWRKX2HSQUTFYKKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=0418f358232c62478446cc21501da31ba04ff220de40170131d2b8d86e203941&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, arrives in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XY3U5PMCNZON2GMRDLXFGZZWRE.jpg?smart=true&auth=2d886e2e86dec244e7d60076908da48efc1aa4921c100accbc3e8b4c079fd54d&width=400&height=225)
Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum. Reuters
Belt and Road Forum draws global leaders
Chinese President Xi Jinping is hosting friendly countries to mark 10 years of the 'project of the century'
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Soraya Ebrahimi
17 October, 2023
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