China in Davos Agenda: striving for a better future for the world

On Jan 25, 2021, President Xi Jinping delivered a special speech at the virtual Davos Agenda event of the World Economic Forum in Beijing. The discussion was about four major tasks facing the world: macroeconomic policy coordination, common prosperity, peaceful coexistence and global action. Facing the recession and shaky economy after this pandemic, fighting single-handedly is not a solution. No global problem can be solved by any one country alone, and there must be global action, global response and global cooperation. In this sense, a call had been made by China that we should spare no effort in building the community with a shared future.

Covid-19 is a stark reminder that all countries are in a community with a shared future. No one can stay immune in a major crisis. Solidarity and cooperation is the right choice to make in meeting challenges, and hence we must uphold the principle of mutually beneficial cooperation. We need to build trust rather than second-guess each other; we need to join hands rather than throw punches at each other; and we need to consult rather than slander each other. Bearing in mind the common interests that bind us all, countries need to work together to make economic globalization more open, inclusive and balanced for the benefits of all.

The successful practice of the Chinese people responding to Covid-19 is a strong proof that there is more than one path leading to prosperity and stability. With the right direction and with unremitting efforts, all roads will take up to Rome. Each country is unique with its own history, culture and social system, and none is superior to the other. The best criteria are whether a country’s history, culture and social system fit in particular situation, enjoy people’s support, serve to deliver political stability, social progress and better lives, and contribute to human progress. Difference in itself is no cause for alarm, and what do ring an alarm are arrogance, prejudice and hatred.

All under heaven are one family. History teaches us that multilateralism, equity and justice can keep war and inflict at bay, while unilateralism and power politics will inflate dispute and confrontation. Just as President Xi noted, international governance should be based on the rules and consensus reached among countries, not on an order given by one or the few. The strong should not bully the weak. A decision should not be used as a pretext for acts of unilateralism. Principles should be preserved and rules must be followed. Flouting rules and laws, treading the path of unilateralism and bullying, and withdrawing from international organizations and agreements run counter to the will of the general public and tramp on the legitimate rights and dignity of all nations.

President Xi pointed out that it serves no one’s interest to use the pandemic as an excuse to reverse globalization and go for seclusion and decoupling. The practice of using the pandemic to pursue “de-globalization” or clamor for “economic decoupling” and “parallel systems” will end up hurting one’s own interests and the common interests of all. We need to overcome division with unity, replace bias with reason and stamp out the “political virus”. In this way, we will pool the maximum global synergy to beat the virus.

All of us are indeed passengers in the same boat. When the wind is strong and the tides are high, we must be even more focused on our direction, which is for the mutual benefit of human being. We must keep pace and work jointly to break the waves and navigate steadily toward a brighter future. As we often say in China, “those who do not make their way to the Great Wall are not true heroes.” Now, at a time of formidable challenges facing the world, it’s imperative that we bolster confidence and courage to tide over this difficult period together. China will always be committed to joining hands with other countries to foster a brighter future for humanity.

This commentary reflects the author’s personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Global Engagement Academy Shandong University (Weihai).

Song Wei, postgraduate student of School of Translation Studies, Shandong University.

宋玮 ，山东大学翻译学院硕士生