Global Political Calendar: 2nd BRF, PLA Navy, Kim-Putin summit

World
Europe

The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation kicks off in Beijing, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy celebrates its 70th founding anniversary, Putin meets Kim later in April.

Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

The Second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation will be held in Beijing from April 25 to 27 with the theme of "Belt and Road Cooperation, Shaping a Brighter Shared Future."

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech.

According to Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a total of 37 heads of state or government and other leaders from Austria, Chile, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Portugal, and Switzerland will attend the forum. France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Japan, Republic of Korea (ROK) and the EU will also send high-level representatives to the forum.

More side events are planned for this year's forum, including 12 sub-forums focusing on practical cooperation. Also, a conference will be organized specifically for the business community for the first time.

70th anniversary of PLA Navy

April 23 is the 70th founding anniversary of the PLA Navy, and a four-day commemorative event will be held in China's eastern coastal city of Qingdao, which is to start on April 22.

So far, navy delegations from over 60 countries have announced their participation in the event, which will include high-level symposiums, an international fleet inspection, joint military music display, cultural and sports exchanges, among others.

Naval vessels from more than 10 countries are also confirmed to attend the grand celebrations. The first foreign naval vessel from Singapore has arrived at Dagang port in Qingdao on Friday.

The PLA navy during its press conference said 32 Chinese warships will sail past in a single column in six groups – submarines, destroyers, frigates, landing warships, supporting vessels and the carrier group.

A total of 39 naval aircraft are expected to fly over in 10 echelons, including reconnaissance planes, fighters, carrier fighters and helicopters.

Some of the Navy's latest weaponry will also be on display for the first time. One of the highlights will be the 10,000-ton destroyer, type 055 class, as the capital ship for the surface group.

Kim-Putin summit?

The Kremlin confirmed on Thursday that the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un will pay a visit to Russia and meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the second half of April.

The visit of the DPRK's leader was initiated by the Russian side at Putin's invitation, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The Russian side didn't give further details, but some speculation mounted Russian Far East city of Vladivostok could be the venue and Yonhap said the date could be April 24.

It will be the first official meeting between the two leaders.

Two big dates are highlighted for the DPRK next week.

April 25 is marked as the founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army. Earlier on February 8, the DPRK's Army Founding Day, there was no military parade taking place. It's very concerning if the DPRK will hold military parade or other activities on April 25.

While April 27 marks the first anniversary of the summit between Kim and Moon Jae-in, leader of the ROK. One year after the Panmunjom Declaration reached, the whole world is eyeing on what's next and when is the next inter-Korean summit.

Day-by-day

Monday: A quiet day in politics.

Tuesday: 70th founding anniversary of PLA Navy, Ueli Maurer, president of the Swiss Confederation pays state visit to China (to April 30), Indian People's Assembly election.

Wednesday: Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga pay state visits to China (to April 28), Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari pays state visit to China (to May 2).

Thursday: Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation kicks off in Beijing, Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz pays an official visit to China (to April 29), DPRK's founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, Diplomats from Russia, Turkey and Iran hold a fresh round of talks in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, on settling the Syrian civil conflict (to April 26), Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet Central European prime ministers in Bratislava, EU-Japan summit takes place in Brussels.

Friday: Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation continues, Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump hold talks in Washington.

Saturday: Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation concludes, One year anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration.

Sunday: Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa pays state visit to China (to May 2), Spain's general election takes place, Queen Letizia of Spain visits Mozambique (to April 30), Beninese National Assembly election, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera pays a state visit to the ROK, 21st anniversary of Port Arthur Massacre in Tasmania.