India&#39;s refusal to join China&#39;s high-profile Belt and Road initiative is &quot;regrettable&quot; but New Delhi&#39;s boycott will not at all affect the cooperation in infrastructure development among its neighbouring countries, a report in a state-run newspaper said today.

The two-day Belt and Road Forum which is being attended by leaders from 29 countries, including Pakistan, has been boycotted by India due to sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

&quot;While India recently issued an official statement saying it would not be part of the &quot;One Belt and One Road&quot; (B&amp;R) initiative, it will not affect the trend towards cooperation in infrastructure development among its neighbouring countries at all,&quot; Global Times reported today.

&quot;India was openly sceptical of China&#39;s Belt and Road Forum (BRF) hours ahead of the opening of the event, mainly due to concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key project of the B&amp;R, and whether it might influence the disputed Kashmir region,&quot; it said.

The B&amp;R is a grand economic cooperation and development plan open to everyone, and is aimed at improving infrastructure in countries along the B&amp;R route, thus benefiting the local people, it said.

&quot;China would never force any country to participate in the B&amp;R if it was too sceptical and nervous to do so. It is regrettable but not a problem that India still maintains its strong opposition to the B&amp;R, even though China has repeatedly said its position on the Kashmir dispute would not change because of the CPEC,&quot; the article said.

Referring to the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on March 13, a day before the two-day B&amp;R summit, it said India also cited the potential debt burden as one of its other concerns, saying that, &quot;connectivity initiatives must follow the principles of financial responsibility to avoid projects that would create an unsustainable debt burden for communities.&quot;

&quot;It is strange that the onlooker is more anxious than the players. While India cares about its neighbours&#39; debt burden, the neighbours appear willing to take on more,&quot; it said.

On Saturday, Pakistan and China inked new deals worth nearly USD 500 million, covering airport, port and highway construction, it said.

&quot;As regards the potential debt burden, Pakistan&#39;s repayments will peak at around USD 5 billion in 2022, but this will be offset by transit fees charged in the CPEC,&quot; it quoted a media report and referred to Nepal officially signing a deal with China to join the B&amp;R with plans to build a cross-border rail link that may cost up to USD 8 billion.

The article further stated that given the active responses from countries along the route, there is no way for India to impede its neighbouring countries from cooperating with China in infrastructure development.

&quot;China has formally invited India to join the B&amp;R. If India doesn&#39;t want to take a part on the stage, then it should just be a good member of the audience. The role is still available if India changes its mind, but it may only be a small role if it is left too late,&quot; it said.

(PTI)

The Global Times called India's refusal to participate in the initiative, which looks to revive the ancient Silk Route, 'regrettable'

India's refusal to join China's high-profile Belt and Road initiative is "regrettable" but New Delhi's boycott will not at all affect the cooperation in infrastructure development among its neighbouring countries, a report in a state-run newspaper said today. The two-day Belt and Road Forum which is being attended by leaders from 29 countries, including Pakistan, has been boycotted by India due to sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "While India recently issued an official statement saying it would not be part of the "One Belt and One Road" (B&R) initiative, it will not affect the trend towards cooperation in infrastructure development among its neighbouring countries at all," Global Times reported today. "India was openly sceptical of China's Belt and Road Forum (BRF) hours ahead of the opening of the event, mainly due to concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key project of the B&R, and whether it might influence the disputed Kashmir region," it said. The B&R is a grand economic cooperation and development plan open to everyone, and is aimed at improving infrastructure in countries along the B&R route, thus benefiting the local people, it said. "China would never force any country to participate in the B&R if it was too sceptical and nervous to do so. It is regrettable but not a problem that India still maintains its strong opposition to the B&R, even though China has repeatedly said its position on the Kashmir dispute would not change because of the CPEC," the article said. Referring to the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on March 13, a day before the two-day B&R summit, it said India also cited the potential debt burden as one of its other concerns, saying that, "connectivity initiatives must follow the principles of financial responsibility to avoid projects that would create an unsustainable debt burden for communities." "It is strange that the onlooker is more anxious than the players. While India cares about its neighbours' debt burden, the neighbours appear willing to take on more," it said. On Saturday, Pakistan and China inked new deals worth nearly USD 500 million, covering airport, port and highway construction, it said. "As regards the potential debt burden, Pakistan's repayments will peak at around USD 5 billion in 2022, but this will be offset by transit fees charged in the CPEC," it quoted a media report and referred to Nepal officially signing a deal with China to join the B&R with plans to build a cross-border rail link that may cost up to USD 8 billion. The article further stated that given the active responses from countries along the route, there is no way for India to impede its neighbouring countries from cooperating with China in infrastructure development. "China has formally invited India to join the B&R. If India doesn't want to take a part on the stage, then it should just be a good member of the audience. The role is still available if India changes its mind, but it may only be a small role if it is left too late," it said. (PTI)

'Be good audience', China state media says after India skips OBOR

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping expressed concern about rising tensions on the Korean peninsula after a North Korean missile test on Sunday, Putin&#39;s spokesman said.

Meeting on the sidelines of an international forum in Beijing, Putin and Xi &quot;discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula in detail&quot; and &quot;both parties expressed their concern over the escalation of tensions,&quot; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

According to China&#39;s official Xinhua news agency, Xi said during the meeting that Moscow and Beijing have played the role of a &quot;ballast stone&quot; in safeguarding regional and global peace and stability.

Xinhua did not publish other remarks.

Putin and Xi met after the opening ceremony of a summit on the Chinese president&#39;s One Belt, One Road initative -- a massive global trade infrastructure project to connect China to Asian neighbours, Europe and Africa.&nbsp;

(AFP)

Putin and Xi met on the sidelines of OBOR

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping expressed concern about rising tensions on the Korean peninsula after a North Korean missile test on Sunday, Putin's spokesman said. Meeting on the sidelines of an international forum in Beijing, Putin and Xi "discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula in detail" and "both parties expressed their concern over the escalation of tensions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. According to China's official Xinhua news agency, Xi said during the meeting that Moscow and Beijing have played the role of a "ballast stone" in safeguarding regional and global peace and stability. Xinhua did not publish other remarks. Putin and Xi met after the opening ceremony of a summit on the Chinese president's One Belt, One Road initative -- a massive global trade infrastructure project to connect China to Asian neighbours, Europe and Africa. (AFP)

Russia, China worried about rising tensions over North Korea

China will offer the Trump administration better market access for financial sector investments and US&nbsp;beef exports to help avert a trade war, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing officials familiar with the matter.

China is prepared to raise the investment ceiling in the Bilateral Investment treaty and is also willing to end the ban on US&nbsp;beef imports, the newspaper also reported.

&quot;China was prepared to (raise the investment ceilings) in the BIT but those negotiations were put on hold (after Trump&#39;s election victory),&quot; the Financial Times also reported citing a Chinese official involved in the talks.

US&nbsp;Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Friday that President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to a new 100-day plan for trade talks on Friday.

The US&nbsp;trade department was not immediately available for comment while the China&#39;s ministry of commerce could not be reached for comment.

(Reuters)

China is prepared to raise the investment ceiling in the Bilateral Investment treaty, and is also willing to end the ban on US beef imports

China will offer the Trump administration better market access for financial sector investments and US beef exports to help avert a trade war, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing officials familiar with the matter. China is prepared to raise the investment ceiling in the Bilateral Investment treaty and is also willing to end the ban on US beef imports, the newspaper also reported. "China was prepared to (raise the investment ceilings) in the BIT but those negotiations were put on hold (after Trump's election victory)," the Financial Times also reported citing a Chinese official involved in the talks. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Friday that President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to a new 100-day plan for trade talks on Friday. The US trade department was not immediately available for comment while the China's ministry of commerce could not be reached for comment. (Reuters)

China offers concessions to avert trade war with US: Financial Times

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to the United States to meet President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida on April 6-7, China&#39;s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, its first official confirmation of the highly anticipated summit.

It will be Xi&#39;s first meeting with Trump, whose presidency began on January&nbsp;20, and comes as the two sides face pressing issues, ranging from North Korea and the South China Sea to trade disputes.

Ministry spokesman Lu Kang made the announcement at a daily news briefing.

Beijing had previously said that preparatory work for the meeting was underway. But it had not yet confirmed the trip, despite western media reports on a scheduled meeting and an announcement by the Finnish government that Xi would make a brief stop in Finland on April 5.

The summit will follow a string of other recent US-China meetings and conversations aimed at mending ties after strong criticism of China by Trump during his election campaign.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ended a trip to Asia this month in Beijing, agreeing to work together with China on North Korea and stressing Trump&#39;s desire to enhance understanding.

China has been irritated at being repeatedly told by Washington to rein in North Korea&#39;s nuclear and missile programmes and by the US&nbsp;decision to base an advanced missile defence system in South Korea.

Beijing is also deeply suspicious of US&nbsp;intentions towards self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

During his election campaign, Trump accused China of unfair trade policies, criticised its island-building in the strategic South China Sea, and accused it of doing too little to constrain North Korea.

Trump also incensed Beijing in December by taking a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and later saying the United States did not have to stick to the so-called &quot;one China&quot; policy.

He later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honour the long-standing policy and has also written to Xi since seeking &quot;constructive ties.&quot;

(Reuters)

It will be Xi's first meeting with Trump, and comes as both sides face issues like trade disputes, North Korea and the South China Sea

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to the United States to meet President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida on April 6-7, China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, its first official confirmation of the highly anticipated summit. It will be Xi's first meeting with Trump, whose presidency began on January 20, and comes as the two sides face pressing issues, ranging from North Korea and the South China Sea to trade disputes. Ministry spokesman Lu Kang made the announcement at a daily news briefing. Beijing had previously said that preparatory work for the meeting was underway. But it had not yet confirmed the trip, despite western media reports on a scheduled meeting and an announcement by the Finnish government that Xi would make a brief stop in Finland on April 5. The summit will follow a string of other recent US-China meetings and conversations aimed at mending ties after strong criticism of China by Trump during his election campaign. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ended a trip to Asia this month in Beijing, agreeing to work together with China on North Korea and stressing Trump's desire to enhance understanding. China has been irritated at being repeatedly told by Washington to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes and by the US decision to base an advanced missile defence system in South Korea. Beijing is also deeply suspicious of US intentions towards self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own. During his election campaign, Trump accused China of unfair trade policies, criticised its island-building in the strategic South China Sea, and accused it of doing too little to constrain North Korea. Trump also incensed Beijing in December by taking a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and later saying the United States did not have to stick to the so-called "one China" policy. He later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honour the long-standing policy and has also written to Xi since seeking "constructive ties." (Reuters)

China's Xi to meet Trump next week in Mar-a-Lago, Florida

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