The Council on Foreign Relations blog posted on 17 October 2023 a commentary titled "China's Belt and Road Initiative Enters Its Second Decade: Which Leaders Went to Beijing to Celebrate with Xi Jinping?" by David Sacks.
China has pledged to continue to promote the Belt and Road Initiative as its overarching plan for international cooperation. But judging by high level attendance at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, it is facing declining interest. In 2017, the leaders of 29 countries attended the first Belt and Road Forum. In 2019, the number of foreign leaders increased to 37 at the second Belt and Road Forum.
At the current third Forum, only 23 heads of state and government showed up. Five African leaders made the trip to Beijing: Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Kenyan President William Ruto, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and Mozambican Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane.
President Xi Jinping still views the Belt and Road Initiative as an important tool for advancing Chinese power and influence but it is becoming a more slimmed-down and cost effective program composed of less risky projects.
