The full might of the Chinese state is on display as world leaders gather in Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum. But so, too, is a new spirit of international co-operation. Otago Daily Times reporter Chris Morris is there and filed this report.
Behind steel fences, soldiers and security checks, a new vision of the future is being shaped in Beijing.
Blocks of China's sprawling capital were in lockdown yesterday as more than 1000 delegates and 28 world leaders, including Russia's Vladimir Putin, gathered for the start of the two-day Belt and Road Forum.
The venue, the China National Convention Centre, was ringed by tight security, with access strictly controlled by scores of soldiers, police, SWAT teams and security officials.
Key hotels and facilities linked to the event were under guard, underscoring the importance China places on the latest round of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Media were among those bused to the event, passing through security checkpoints and pat-downs before entering the vast complex.
Inside, the focus was on a new vision of international development which China's President Xi Jinping yesterday pledged would be built on mutual co-operation and respect between countries.
The forum aimed to progress agreement on everything from infrastructure investment to policy alignment, focused on countries along the historic Silk Road trade routes that once linked east and west.
Already, billions of dollars has been invested by China in overseas projects, helping create more than 180,000 jobs, and there were promises of more to come yesterday.
But while the focus was on countries along the route, it was not limited to them alone, Mr Xi, speaking through a translator, told delegates at the opening ceremony.
Other countries could also join the ''big family'' and share in the benefits of economic growth and improved relationships - but only if they wanted to, he said.
''We have no intention to interfere in other countries' internal affairs ... or impose our own will on others.''
It was a message that has caught the eye of the New Zealand Government, which in March signed an agreement to explore ways of becoming involved in the initiative.
New Zealand also had a presence at the two-day forum, led by Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith and including representatives from the Asia New Zealand Foundation and the New Zealand China Council.
Mr Goldsmith told the ODT he was attending to listen, ''and to demonstrate that NZ is keen to be part of conversation from the beginning''.
''I'll be taking opportunities during the forum to present New Zealand's views, and hear more about work in progress on the Belt and Road Initiative.
''The potential trade opportunities when you connect 4.4 billion people are immense, so it is important that New Zealand, as a small country of 4.5 million that relies on trade, gets on at the ground floor at a forum with over 50 countries represented.''
Colum Rice, of the New Zealand China Council, agreed, saying China was ''critical'' to future prosperity and the Belt and Road Initiative was one of ''phenomenal breadth and scale''.
''Only in China do you get events of such ambitious scale.
''We could sit on the edge and say 'we are not on the map' or we could ask ourselves 'how do we get on the map and how do we make ourselves relevant?'.''
He was ''here to listen'', to better understand the priorities for China and the roles other countries were taking, which would inform how New Zealand could contribute ''and potentially benefit''.
Simon Draper, of the Asia NZ Foundation, said he was also ''here to learn'' as the initiative continued to take shape.
''It is clear the [initiative] is nascent, and still being shaped. Options are to wait until it is formed or get involved as it takes shape. New Zealand's success has generally been doing the latter.''
He was impressed by the sheer size and organisation of the event, which was ''beyond most New Zealanders' comprehension''.
The two-day forum concludes today.
- Chris Morris travelled to Beijing with assistance from the Chinese Consulate-general in Christchurch.
