Xi Addresses 2022 WEF Virtual Session
At the 2022 World Economic Forum Virtual Session held on January 17, 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech titled “Forge Ahead with Confidence and Fortitude to Jointly Create a Better POST-COVID World.”
Xi called on the international community to do everything necessary to clear the shadow of the pandemic and boost economic and social recovery and development, so that the sunshine of hope may light up the future of humanity. President Xi then made the following suggestions:
First, we need to embrace cooperation and jointly defeat the pandemic. Countries need to strengthen international cooperation against COVID-19, carry out active cooperation on research and development of medicines, jointly build multiple lines of defense against the coronavirus, and speed up efforts to build a global community of health for all.
Second, we need to resolve various risks and promote the steady recovery of the world economy. In the context of ongoing COVID-19 response, we need to explore new drivers of economic growth, new modes of social life and new pathways for people-to-people exchange, in a bid to facilitate cross-border trade, keep industrial and supply chains secure and smooth, and promote steady and solid progress in global economic recovery.
Third, we need to bridge the development divide and revitalize global development. No matter what difficulties may come our way, we must adhere to a people-centered philosophy of development, place development and livelihoods front and center in global macro-policies, realize the UN’S 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and build greater synergy among existing mechanisms of development cooperation to promote balanced development worldwide. China stands ready to work with all partners to jointly translate the Global Development Initiative into concrete actions and make sure that no country is left behind in this process.
Fourth, we need to discard Cold War mentality and seek peaceful coexistence and win-win outcomes. Protectionism and unilateralism can protect no one; they ultimately hurt the interests of others as well as one’s own. Even worse are the practices of hegemony and bullying, which run counter to the tide of history. The right way forward for humanity is peaceful development and win-win cooperation. We should follow the trend of history, work for a stable international order, advocate common values of humanity, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.