China’s Xi Jinping rails against ‘cold war mentality’ and US hegemony in call for global cooperation
- In a thinly-veiled rebuke of the US, President Xi Jinping said ‘hegemonism and power politics will only breach global peace’
- Xi emphasised the resilience of China’s economy, saying the country ‘offers powerful momentum’ for pandemic recovery
President Xi Jinping has sent a strong message to Washington and its allies that China will firmly oppose decoupling, while its economy can play a lead role in global recovery as the world stands at a crossroads between the coronavirus pandemic, trade conflicts and war in Ukraine.
In a speech on Thursday, Xi called for stronger macro coordination between major economies to prevent “severe and negative” spillover effects from policy decisions and to help stabilise the global supply chain.
Xi also proposed a Chinese-led global security initiative based on the United Nations framework, renounced unilateral action and confrontation and promoted non-interference and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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“The facts have proven again that a cold war mentality, hegemonism and power politics will only breach global peace,” he told hundreds of delegates at the opening of the Boao Forum for Asia, a China-led equivalent to the Davos Forum, via a video link.
“We must comply with the principles of the United Nations Charter … and resort to dialogue and negotiations to solve conflicts between countries.
“We support any endeavours that can solve a crisis through peaceful means, oppose double standards, unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction.”
Xi said all countries are “boarding the same boat” with a shared destiny, and must unite to sail through stormy seas for a bright future.
In today’s world, any unilateralism and extreme egoism are fundamentally unworkable
“Any attempt to throw someone into the sea would be unacceptable,” he said.
“International society has developed into a complex, delicate and organic machine, and the operation of the entire machine will face serious difficulties if one component is dismantled. Those who are removed, as well as the dismantler, will be damaged.
“In today’s world, any unilateralism and extreme egoism are fundamentally unworkable. Any decoupling, cutting off supplies, and extreme pressure are fundamentally unworkable.”
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China has vowed to continue normal trade relations with Russia, which it calls a comprehensive strategic partner.
The United States has stepped up efforts to decouple from China since the Trump administration launched a trade war in 2018.
President Joe Biden has continued with an adversarial policy towards the country, labelling it a “strategic competitor”, while deepening attempts to contain its technological development.
In his speech, Xi emphasised the need to develop good relations with Asian neighbours and countries involved with the Belt and Road Initiative.
No matter what has and will change in the world, China will firmly insist on reform and opening
“We must take the chance to create a more open and bigger market in Asia,” he said.
“While presenting Asian resilience, wisdom and power, we’ll build it into an anchor of global peace and stability, a source of global growth and a highland for cooperation.”
The world’s second largest economy is determined to open further, despite dramatic global changes, to provide more business opportunities for investors, he said.
“China has good economic fundamentals, a lot of room to manoeuvre, strong resilience and great development potential,” Xi said.
“No matter what has and will change in the world, China will firmly insist on reform and opening.”
