Chinese President Xi Jinping on state TV

  • Says belt and road initiative needs to reject protectionism, avoid fragmentation
  • Need to set up mechanism for policy coordination for belt and road
  • Needs to speed up rail, road and other infrastructure cooperation
  • Need to improve free trade standards, harmonise rules and standards

Sounds like 'mom and apple pie' sort of comments, or whatever the Chinese equivalent is. Reports from Xi coming right after the April data showed misses across the board.

Being less cynical, the belt and road initiative for China is huge deal