Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China would consider hosting the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation next year, which would be the first staging of the event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Belt and Road is Mr Jinping's signature infrastructure investment initiative, and previous editions of the forum, in 2017 and 2019, drew leaders and officials from dozens of countries.
However, China has all-but-shut its borders since Covid and cancelled most big in-person international events that it had been due to host.
China has recently begun to ease some elements of its strict zero-Covid policy, even as the country battles surging outbreaks in numerous cities, with many analysts predicting more significant opening up starting in March or April.
Mr. Jinping was speaking on Friday at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in Bangkok.
In February, Beijing staged the Winter Olympics inside a "closed loop".
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
China Landlord Tries To Evict Cancer-Stricken Tenant Over Property Value Concerns Jugraj Singh Shines As Dominant India Beat China To Win 5th Asian Champions Trophy Title Pakistan Players Hold China Flag During Asian Champions Trophy Final Against India. Internet Reacts 9 Dead, 2,800 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel Highlights: Arvind Kejriwal Resigns, Atishi To Be Delhi Chief Minister IndiGo Flight Tailstrike Leaves Huge Dent During Take-Off From Delhi Airport Kamala Harris Dials Trump After Apparent Assassination Attempt Ghislaine Maxwell's Sex-Trafficking Conviction Upheld, Appeal Planned Stage Set For Phase 1 Of J&K Elections Today, 24 Seats Up For Contest Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.