China confirms representatives from US, ROK, others to attend BRF

BEIJING -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed Friday representatives from the European Union, France, Germany, Britain, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States will attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

According to spokesperson Geng Shuang, the Washington delegation will be led by Matt Pottinger, special assistant to the president and senior director for Asia at the National Security Council.

Park Byeong-suk, former deputy speaker of National Assembly of the ROK, will also attend, along with Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Geng said.

As a special envoy of British Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, will attend the forum; and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will send Minister of Economic Affairs Brigitte Zypries. Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin will lead the French delegation, Geng said.

European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen will also attend, Geng said.