Xi calls on Asia-Pacific to up cooperation to new height
China to hold 3rd Belt and Road forum in 2023 to boost prosperity in region
Addressing the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping commended economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific over the past several decades that has led to an “Asia-Pacific miracle,” and called for the joint building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future and taking Asia-Pacific cooperation to a new height.
He also announced that China is to consider holding the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation next year to give a new boost to development and prosperity in AsiaPacific and the wider world.
The Chinese president’s remarks at the first in-person APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in four years offered a vigorous rebuttal to increasing attempts by certain economies and other forces to actively instigate tension within the region and seriously undermine regional cooperation. They also provided much-needed relief for regional economies that are becoming increasingly uneasy over
growing tensions, Asia-Pacific business representatives and analysts noted.
Some observers noted China’s clear-cut stance on Asia-Pacific cooperation and concrete actions in advancing regional peace and development, while suggesting that the US’ repeatedly reaffirmed commitment looks more like “empty talk” during times of hardship.
China’s vision
After arriving at the grand and modern Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in downtown Bangkok, where the theme of Asia-Pacific cooperation is ubiquitous, on Friday morning, Xi told APEC leaders that “the Asia-Pacific is our home as well as the powerhouse of global economic growth. Over the past decades, robust economic cooperation in the region has created the ‘Asia-Pacific miracle’ admired across the world. Asia-Pacific cooperation has taken deep root in the hearts of the people.”
Noting that the world has come to another historical crossroads, Xi called for joining hands to build an AsiaPacific community with a shared future and taking Asia-Pacific cooperation to a new height.
China will work with other parties on the full and high-quality implementation of the RCEP, and continue working toward joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), for the purpose of promoting integrated development of the region. China will consider holding the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation next year to provide fresh impetus for the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific and the world, Xi said.
Li Haidong, a professor from the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that next year’s forum will lead to a more economically interconnected world, and the Chinaproposed BRI will help “bury regional divisions and confrontations” and bring lasting world peace and prosperity, as the most important thing for the current global economy is to maintain the economic integration process and prevent a reversal of globalization through the forming of small economic cliques by some Western countries.
He said as next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the BRI, the forum is expected to make new plans for the world to better use the BRI to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and contribute to the changing international landscape that is in a key transition period.
“The Asia-Pacific economy is at a crucial period of post-COVID recovery, and turmoil and changes in international politics and economies pose a serious challenge for Asia-Pacific development. President Xi showed us that peaceful development and win-win cooperation is the mainstream for the Asia-Pacific’s future development,” Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee, director of the ThailandChina Research Center of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), told the Global Times on Friday.
Phichaiwongphakdee said that the Chinese president’s call for building closer regional industrial and supply chains is a very important aspect of Asia-Pacific cooperation, which will help the region cope with risks and ensure stability and prosperity.
As has been the case in many multilateral events, the presence of China and the US also drew close attention and comparisons at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok.
“The West’s words about so-called equality among countries and commitment to Southeast Asia are, in my personal view, just talk. When you really face difficult times, they will not reach out to help you at all, so we now have a deep understanding of this. And our real friend is China ,” said Phichaiwongphakdee.
In Friday’s speech, Xi stressed the need to make sure that development is for the people and by the people, and that its fruits are shared among the people, calling for efforts to promote prosperity for all in the Asia-Pacific.
China will continue to share its development opportunities with the world, particularly with the Asia-Pacific region, the Chinese president said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of Thailand, the host of the APEC leaders’ meeting, said on Friday that countries must change their practices to overcome challenges posed by the pandemic, climate change and geopolitical divisions.
“We can no longer live like we did. We need to adjust our perspective, ways of life and ways of doing business,” Prayut said.
As the host of the APEC leaders’ meeting, Thailand has set the theme as “Open, Connect and Balanced”, aiming to shape the discussions around regional open trade and investment, restoring connectivity and balanced and sustainable development.