China’s bid to internationalise its Belt and Road connectivity initiative received a shot in the arm with the United States deciding to send a high-level delegation to an upcoming international forum in the Chinese capital.
A decision by France and South Korea as well to send delegates to the Belt and Road Forum , which begins on Sunday, has added to the growing international convergence to explore in greater depth, the China-led initiative. Japan is also being represented by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s senior adviser, and Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party Toshihiro Nikai. The Vietnamese President, Tran Dai Quang is already in the Chinese capital for parleys with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, ahead of the conclave.
Leaders from 29 countries and regions as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde and World Bank President Kim Yong, have also decided to participate in the event.
As more influential countries and representatives of top multilateral organisations declare their intent to participate in the forum, India’s decision, so far, not to announce an official delegation for the occasion, has become conspicuous.
“As far as Indian participation is concerned, there are Indian scholars coming to China for relevant activities,” said Geng Shuang, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday, in response to a question.
White House adviser Matt Pottinger will lead the US delegation to the forum. Mr. Geng said that US National Security Council's senior director for East Asia would also be part of the delegation.
The decision coincided with the 100-day trade plan hammered out by China and the U.S. following talks last month between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump.
Reuters is reporting that by July 16, the 100th day after the leaders' meeting, China agreed to issue guidelines that would allow U.S.-owned card payment services "to begin the licensing process" in a sector where China's UnionPay system has had a near monopoly.
China will also allow U.S. imports of beef no later than July 16. Besides, foreign-owned companies will be allowed to provide credit rating services in China.
According to a US announcement, the two sides had also agreed to discuss extending that initial 100-day period into a one-year plan.
"We believe that Sino-U.S. economic cooperation is the trend of the times... We will continue to move forward," Chinese vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao told a Beijing media briefing.
In an interview with the Economist magazine, Mr. Trump praised his ties with Mr. Xi. “I am dealing with a man, I think I like him a lot. I think he likes me a lot,” he said. “I mean, he’s a great guy.”
Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin — the current chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, is expected to lead the French delegation to the forum. Park Byeong-seug, a senior official in the liberal Democratic Party, headed by South Korea’s newly elected President Moon Jae-in will represent Seoul. The decision on participation by the Republic of Korea (RoK) followed a telephone conversation on Thursday between Mr. Xi and Mr. Moon.
