AdvertisementOn October 18, top leaders from around the world gathered for a “family photo” at the third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China. The 2017 Belt and Road Forum counted 30 heads of state or government in attendance, including China’s own Xi Jinping. The UAE, for example, sent its prime minster to the 2019 BRF, but only a Supreme Council member to this year’s forum. All 11 regional states – the 10 members of ASEAN, plus Timor-Leste – have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents. Yet only the UAE has ever sent a top leader to a Belt and Road Forum (once, in 2019).
