Solidarizing for Development and Security

On April 21st, 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference via video link and delivered a keynote speech entitled Rising to Challenges and Building a Bright Future Through Cooperation, in which the Global Security Initiative (GSI) was proposed for the first time. Widely received by leaders of participating countries and representatives from political, business and academic communities, this speech was significant in guiding ensuing discussions. President Xi’s metaphor that the international community, as a sophisticated apparatus, cannot afford to have any single part of it removed has been widely quoted. Presidents or prime ministers of Israel, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Kazakhstan and Laos, as well as the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) made video remarks. Extensive and intensive discussions are held on the theme “The World in COVID-19 & Beyond: Working Together for Global Development and Shared Future” among over 70 ministerial officials and former members of government, 20 plus heads of international and regional organizations, business leaders and renowned scholars.

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In his speech, President Xi Jinping underlined the need to jointly defend people’s lives and health. Participants are of the view that strong international synergy in solidarity must be formed against the pandemic. Countries should introduce COVID response policies in light of their own national conditions and features, and strengthen coordination in anti-pandemic measures so as to improve global governance in public health. Vaccines gap must be closed to ensure the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries, to which China has made important contributions. The international community should boost cooperation in medical science, seek more effective solutions to COVID-19, and avoid the politicization of scientific issues. We must begin now to plan for global development in the post-COVID era, instead of simply waiting the pandemic out.

In his speech, President Xi Jinping underlined the need to jointly promote economic recovery. Delving into where the world economy is headed and challenges in its way, participants believe that successive blows have been dealt to the world economy by multiple factors including the surging pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and high inflation. Therefore, its recovery will be anything but a smooth ride. The IMF has cut its global growth forecast for 2022 and 2023. Challenges are mounting for the global economic community and decision makers in all countries. We should stay committed to building an open world economy, increase macro policy coordination, keep global industrial and supply chains stable, give a strong boost to investment and trade, and promote green recovery and digital economy.

In his speech, President Xi Jinping underlined the need to jointly maintain peace and stability in the world. Security is the precondition for development. We humanity are living in an indivisible security community. The Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping has been echoed by participants. It has been widely acknowledged that traditional and non-traditional security issues are both prominent and intertwined. Breaking free from the security dilemma and seeking common security is a major task for the world today. Participants are of the view that the GSI helps to put in place a new peace agenda for the world. Staying committed as a responsible major country, China has laid a solid foundation for regional peace and security.

In his speech, President Xi Jinping underlined the need to jointly tackle global governance challenges. It is the prevalent aspiration for all to enhance communication, coordination and cooperation in solidarity. Participants are of the view that each and every emergence from a crisis for the human society would not have been possible without solidarity and cooperation. To properly handle constant global challenges, the only way out for the international community is to work as one to strengthen and improve global governance. We should uphold true multilateralism, and safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. We should fully leverage multilateral mechanisms including the G20 and the World Health Organization, and improve global governance in economy, trade, and health. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China is vitally important for our cooperation in pursuing development and following through on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In his speech, President Xi Jinping also offered his observations on the development of Asia. It was pointed out that having been through hot and cold wars, hardships and tribulations, people in Asia deeply cherish the value of peace and understand that development gains do not come easily. Peace and stability in our region do not fall into our lap automatically or come as charity from any country. Rather, it is the result of the joint efforts of countries in the region. We should resolutely safeguard peace in Asia, vigorously advance Asian cooperation and jointly promote Asian unity. President Xi’s insights have not only answered the call of people in Asia, but also chartered the course for Asian development in the future.