China downplays political impact of global development push

BEIJING (AP) — China is downplaying the political implications of its global development campaign known as the Belt and Road initiative, saying that it aims to boost multilateralism amid protectionist trends in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday that a meeting to promote the initiative next week in Beijing would draw leaders from 37 countries, underscoring heavy demand for Chinese investment.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has made the initiative a signature po