‘Answer the call of our times’
Xi: Today’s world needs a fairer global governance system
BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping called on all countries in Asia and beyond to answer the “call of our times,” defeat the Covid-19 pandemic through solidarity, strengthen global governance and keep pursuing a community with a shared future for mankind.
When delivering his keynote speech via video at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2021 yesterday, Xi said the world needs consultation on an equal footing to create a future of shared benefits.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the BFA, this year’s annual conference is themed “A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation”.
“Global governance should reflect the evolving political and economic landscape in the world, conform to the historical trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation, and meet practical needs in addressing global challenges,” Xi said.
Countries should follow the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, uphold multilateralism, and make the global governance system more fair and equitable, he said.
“What we need in today’s world is justice, not hegemony. Big countries should behave in a manner befitting their status, with a greater sense of responsibility,” he said.
Calling for the building of an open world economy, Xi said openness is essential for development and holds the key to post-Covid economic recovery.
“We need to promote trade and investment liberalisation, deepen regional economic integration, and enhance supply, data and human resources chains,” he said.
Efforts should also be made to boost the digital economy, and step up cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, biomedicine and modern energy, to turn the fruits of technological innovation into greater benefits for people in all countries, Xi said.
On creating a future of health and security with solidarity and cooperation, Xi said the key role of the World Health Organisation must be given full play in the ongoing fight against Covid-19.
“We must put people and their lives above anything else, scale up information sharing and enhance public health and medical cooperation,” he said.
On climate change, Xi stressed the importance of following the philosophy of green development, advancing international cooperation and doing more to implement the Paris Agreement.