![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5019069.jpg?r=1697628152533\")
<\/p>\n
In response to Israel’s retaliatory bombardment after the attack, more than a million people in the blockaded Gaza Strip have fled the relentless shelling.<\/p>\n
China recently facilitated a diplomatic agreement between Iran, a key supporter of Hamas, and Saudi Arabia, one of its regional rivals.<\/p>\n
This week, China’s Middle East envoy, Zhai Jun, will travel to the region. The exact details of his travel plans have not disclosed, but his mission will focus on advocating for a ceasefire and peace talks.<\/p>\n
Israel expressed deep disappointment with China last week for not condemning Hamas, despite China’s historical support for the Palestinian cause.<\/p>\n
At the Summit on Wednesday, Putin expressed admiration for Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and encouraged global investment in the Northern Sea route, saying it could enhance trade between the eastern and western regions.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Russia hasn’t officially joined the BRI, but Putin is a close ally of President Xi.<\/p>\n In Beijing, over 140 countries and 23 heads of state have gathered to commemorate the tenth anniversary of China’s flagship infrastructure investment project.<\/p>\n Putin and Xi met at the forum’s opening event on Tuesday. A video shared by Russia’s foreign ministry showed them shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. They also participated in a group photo with other world leaders attending the summit.<\/p>\n On his second known trip outside the former Soviet Union since the Ukraine war, Putin thanked President Xi for the invitation and suggested that Russia could play a crucial role in China’s modern revival of the ancient Silk Road.<\/p>\n Putin referred to Xi as his “dear friend” and spoke highly of the Belt and Road Initiative.<\/p>\n In his speech, Putin emphasised the common goals of Russia and China, saying: “Russia and China, like most countries of the world, share the desire for equal, mutually beneficial cooperation in order to achieve universal sustainable and long-term economic progress and social well-being, while respecting the diversity of civilization and the right of each State to its own development model.”<\/p>\n Putin attended the BRI summit with a senior delegation from Moscow, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and other high-ranking officials.<\/p>\n
Putin flaunts nuclear briefcases during China visit in bleak warning to West[LATEST] <\/strong>
Vladimir Putin’s successor ‘chosen by inner circle’ as health fears explode[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
North Korea’s ‘Orient Express’ sending munitions to Russia ‘at scale\u2019[REPORT] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5019074.jpg?r=1697628152612\")
<\/p>\n