Firm confidence and move forward bravely

Create a better world in the post-pandemic era

- Speech at the 2022 World Economic Forum video conference

(January 17, 2022)

President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping

Dear Chairman Schwab, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends:

Hello everyone! It is a great pleasure to attend the video conference of the World Economic Forum.

In two weeks' time, the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Tiger, will arrive. In Chinese culture, the tiger is a symbol of courage and strength. In the face of the severe challenges facing mankind, we must be brave enough to overcome all obstacles on our way forward, do our utmost to sweep away the shadow of COVID-19, promote economic and social development, and let the sunshine of hope shine upon mankind.

The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. This change is not limited to one event or one country or one region. It is a profound and far-reaching change of The Times. The world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, as the changing times and the pandemic overlap. How to defeat the epidemic? How to build a post-epidemic world? This is a major issue of common concern to the people of all countries in the world, and it is also a pressing and major task that we must answer.

"If the world does not prosper, it will decline, and if it does not advance, it will retreat." The world always develops in the movement of contradictions. Without contradictions, there would be no world. Throughout history, mankind has grown through overcoming one test after another and developed through overcoming one crisis after another. We should follow the logic of history and follow the trend of The Times.

Man will always move forward, rain or shine. We need to be able to think from the perspective of long-term comparative analysis of history, and at the same time be able to perceive the changes of things in detail. We need to cultivate new opportunities in the face of crisis and open up new prospects in the face of changes, so as to pool strong strength to overcome difficulties and challenges.

First, we need to work together to defeat the epidemic. In the face of this pandemic, which is crucial to the future and destiny of mankind, the international community has launched a tenacious war of resistance. Once again, in the midst of a global crisis, countries are not in more than 190 small boats, but in one big boat with a shared destiny. The little boat can stand the storm, but the great ship can stand the storm. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the international community, important progress has been made in the global fight against the virus. However, repeated delays and increased mutations of the virus have accelerated its spread, posing a serious threat to people's safety and health and having a profound impact on world economic development. Strengthening confidence and sticking together is the only right way to defeat the epidemic. Any mutual constraints or unwarranted "blame shifting" will only delay the aircraft and disrupt the overall interests of the country. Countries around the world need to step up international cooperation against the epidemic, actively conduct drug research and development cooperation, build multiple lines of defense against the epidemic, and speed up the building of a community of health for mankind. In particular, we need to make good use of vaccines as a powerful weapon, ensure equitable distribution of vaccines, speed up vaccination, bridge the international "immunization gap", and protect people's lives and health. China has delivered more than 2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations. China will provide another 1 billion doses of vaccines to African countries, of which 600 million doses will be provided free of charge, and 150 million doses of vaccines will be provided free of charge to ASEAN countries.

Second, defuse risks and promote steady recovery of the world economy. The world economy is coming out of the trough, but it also faces many constraints. Risks such as disruptions in global industrial and supply chains, rising commodity prices and tight energy supply are intertwined, adding to uncertainties in the course of economic recovery. The global low inflation environment has changed significantly, and compound inflation risks are emerging. If the monetary policies of major economies hit the brakes or swerve sharply, there will be serious negative spillover effects and challenges to world economic and financial stability. Developing countries will bear the brunt. We need to explore new drivers of economic growth, new models of social life and new routes of people-to-people exchanges under the conditions of regular epidemic prevention and control, promote cross-border trade facilitation, ensure the safety and unimpeded flow of industrial and supply chains, and ensure steady and solid global economic recovery. Economic globalization is the trend of The Times. When a great river runs to the sea, it will always encounter countercurrents, but none of them can stop the great River from going east. Power helps it move forward, and resistance makes it strong. Despite many headwinds and treacherous waters, the direction of economic globalization has never changed and will never change. Countries should stick to true multilateralism, demolishing walls instead of building them, opening up instead of isolating them, and integrating instead of decoupling, so as to build an open world economy. We should guide the reform of the global governance system in the spirit of fairness and justice, uphold the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, forge universally acceptable and effective rules for artificial intelligence and digital economy on the basis of full consultation, and foster an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological innovation. We should make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all and unleash the dynamism of the world economy. Now, there is a consensus that to pull the world economy out of the crisis and realize recovery, we must strengthen macro policy coordination. Major economies should foster a sense of community, strengthen systems, enhance transparency and sharing of policy information, and coordinate the targets, intensity and pace of fiscal and monetary policies to prevent the world economy from slumping again. Major developed countries should adopt responsible economic policies and properly control the spillover effects of their policies to avoid inflicting severe impact on developing countries. International economic and financial institutions should play a constructive role, build international consensus, enhance policy coordination and forestall systemic risks.

Third, we should bridge the development gap and revitalize the cause of global development. The global development process is being severely impacted, and the north-south gap, recovery and divergence, development gaps and technological gaps are becoming more prominent. The human Development index (HDI) has dropped for the first time in 30 years. More than 100 million people are living in poverty, and nearly 800 million people are living in hunger. People's livelihood, including food security, education, employment and medical and health care, are facing more difficulties. Some developing countries have returned to poverty and chaos, and many people in developed countries have fallen into a difficult life. Whatever difficulties we may encounter, we must remain committed to a people-centered development philosophy, give priority to promoting development and ensuring people's well-being in global macro policies, implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, promote synergy between existing development cooperation mechanisms and promote balanced global development. We should adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, advance international cooperation on climate change within the framework of development, and implement the outcomes of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Developed economies should take the lead in fulfilling their responsibility to reduce emissions and fulfill their commitments on financial and technological support, so as to create necessary conditions for developing countries to tackle climate change and achieve sustainable development. Last year, I presented a global development initiative at the UN General Assembly, calling on the international community to pay attention to the pressing problems facing developing countries. This initiative is a public good open to the whole world and aims to align with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promote common development of the world. China is ready to work with all parties to ensure the implementation of the initiative and ensure that no country is left behind.

Fourth, abandon the Cold War mentality and pursue peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit. The world today is far from peaceful. There is no end to rhetoric that incites hatred and prejudice. The resulting containment, suppression and even confrontation will do nothing for world peace and security. History has repeatedly shown that confrontation is not only unhelpful, but disastrous. Protectionism and unilateralism can protect no one and will only harm others and ourselves in the end. Hegemony and bullying run counter to the trend of history. It is natural for countries to have conflicts and differences, but it is no use playing a zero-sum game. Any determined to build the courtyard walls ", "parallel system" and any keen to get exclusive "circle", "small group", division ways of the world, any generalization national security concept, to contain other countries economic development of science and technology, any incitement ideological confrontation, the politicisation of the economic problems of science and technology, weaponisation of behavior, Both seriously weaken the efforts of the international community to address common challenges. Peaceful development and win-win cooperation are the right path for mankind. Different countries and civilizations should seek common development through mutual respect and win-win cooperation through seeking common ground while shelving differences. We should follow the trend of history, work to stabilize the international order, promote the common values of mankind, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. We should uphold dialogue rather than confrontation, inclusiveness rather than exclusivity, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, Last year marked the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Unity of the communist party of China led the Chinese people's hard work for a long time, in the national construction development and remarkable achievements on people's living standards improve, to achieve the goal to build a well-off society in an all-round way on time, won the battle poverty as scheduled, historic to solve the problem of absolute poverty, now on the all-round construction of socialism modernization country new journey.

-- China will unswervingly promote high-quality development. China's economy, on the whole, has maintained a sound momentum of development. Last year, China's GDP grew by around 8%, achieving the dual goals of high growth and low inflation. Despite the enormous pressure brought about by changes in the domestic and international economic environment, the fundamentals of China's economy remain resilient, full of potential and sound in the long run. We are full of confidence in the future of China's economy.

"The country is called rich, care about the people." The Chinese economy has made remarkable progress and people's living standards have improved significantly. But we are fully aware that it will be a long and arduous journey to meet people's aspirations for a better life. China has made it clear that it will make more substantial progress in promoting all-round human development and common prosperity for all people, and will make efforts in all areas to this end. To achieve common prosperity, China does not want to pursue egalitarianism. Rather, we need to make the pie bigger first, and then divide it properly through reasonable institutional arrangements so that a rising tide lifts all boats and everyone finds their place in the right place so that the fruits of development benefit all people in a more equitable way.

-- China will unswervingly advance reform and opening-up. China's reform and opening-up is always on the way. No matter what changes take place in the international situation, China will always hold high the banner of reform and opening-up. China will continue to let the market play a decisive role in resource allocation and the government better play its role. We will unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector of the economy and encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector. China will build a unified, open market system with orderly competition to ensure that all enterprises have equal status and equal opportunities before the law. China welcomes all kinds of capital to operate in China in accordance with laws and regulations and play a positive role in China's development. China will continue to open wider to the outside world at a higher level, steadily expand institutional opening-up based on rules, management and standards, implement national treatment for foreign-invested enterprises, and promote high-quality belt and Road cooperation. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) officially entered into force on January 1 this year. China will faithfully fulfill its obligations and deepen economic and trade ties with all parties involved in the RCEP. China will continue to advance its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership, further integrate itself into the regional and world economy, and strive for mutual benefit and win-win results.

-- China will unswervingly promote ecological progress. I have often said that economic development cannot drain resources and the ecological environment, nor does environmental protection mean seeking fish at the expense of economic development. Adhering to the belief that lucidwaters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, China is committed to the integrated protection and systematic treatment of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grass and sand, making every effort to promote ecological progress, strengthen pollution prevention and control, and improve people's working and living environment. China is building the world's largest national park system. Last year, China successfully hosted the 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, making its contribution to building a clean and beautiful world. Achieving peak carbon neutrality is an inherent requirement for China's high-quality development and a solemn commitment China has made to the international community. China will live up to its promise and make firm progress. We have released the Action Plan for Peaking Carbon emissions by 2030 and will release specific implementation plans in energy, industry and construction. China has built the world's largest carbon market and clean power generation system. Installed renewable energy capacity exceeds 1 billion kW, and construction of large-scale wind power photovoltaic bases with a capacity of 100 million kW has begun in an orderly manner. To achieve peak carbon neutrality, you cannot do it all at once. China will take both measures to ensure stable economic and social development. In the process of promoting reliable replacement of new energy sources, China will gradually reduce traditional energy sources in an orderly manner. China will actively engage in international cooperation on climate change and jointly promote a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, Davos is a world resort for ice and snow sports. Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics will open soon. China is confident to deliver a simple, safe and wonderful Olympic Games to the world. The theme of the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics is "Together for the Future". Let us join hands, full of confidence, together to the future! Thank you.