Xi Jinping’s speech to Davos sets the bar for safer world after Donald Trump era
- Call by Chinese president to put aside differences and work together for the common good also sends warning to American leader Joe Biden that ideological conflict may lead to a new cold war
President Xi Jinping has called for a less politically conflicted world after the Donald Trump era, effectively warning that ideological differences may jeopardise global security and precipitate another cold war. He did not mention new US President Joe Biden by name in his opening address at the virtual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, but he clearly directed his message not only to the Biden administration but also other world leaders. They include key allies Biden has spoken with about coordinated strategies towards China and the Asia-Pacific region.
Xi warned that attempts to “isolate, intimidate, decouple and sanction” others would only push the world into division, even confrontation. “Antagonism and confrontation, be it in the form of a cold war, hot war, trade war or tech war will eventually hurt all countries’ interests and undermine everyone’s well being,” he said.
Xi urges world leaders to put aside divisions in virtual Davos address
The Covid-19 pandemic is a reminder that countries and world leaders need to work together to solve mankind’s greatest problems. Xi used his address to defend multilateralism and call for tolerance of difference, urging world leaders to put aside ideological division in the fight to defeat Covid-19 and spark global economic recovery.
He argued that it was time to judge different political systems by their results in terms of governance for the benefit of the people. Leaders should not put too much emphasis on ideology. Different countries had to deal with situations peculiar to their circumstances that were best addressed by different political systems. The best criteria in deciding the merits of a political system were whether it fitted a country’s history, culture and social system, its actual situation, enjoyed people’s support, delivered political stability, social progress and better lives and contributed to human progress.
01:38
Xi Jinping warns against ‘new Cold War’ and ‘confrontation’
Xi said, rightly, world leaders needed to work together not only to fight the virus but for economic recovery. Any bullying behaviour or restrictions on the free flow of capital or technology, would be counterproductive. Without mention of the United States, but clearly directing his remarks at technology sanctions, Xi said technology should contribute to the well-being of mankind and not be used as a tool for geopolitical tension or to restrict certain countries.
Xi’s tone was firm on China’s position but he left the door open for negotiations, while at the same time drawing China’s bottom line. That said, both sides have spoken of public health, climate change and economic growth as areas in which they could work together. Biden has lost no time in moving to reverse Trump’s climate policies, including a reported plan to host a climate summit on World Earth Day on April 22. Given that Xi has made bold promises on carbon emissions, that is positive for hopes for more constructive dialogue and relations between the two sides.
