On the 30th, President Xi Jinping attended the first phase of the 16th G20 Summit in Beijing by video and delivered an important speech.
Xi Jinping pointed out that at present, the new crown pneumonia epidemic continues to repeat, the world economic recovery is fragile, climate change challenges are prominent, and regional hotspot issues are frequent. In the face of major changes in the world unseen in a century and the epidemic of the century, the Group of Twenty, as the main forum for international economic cooperation, must shoulder its due responsibilities. For the future of mankind and the well-being of the people, it must adhere to openness and tolerance, win-win cooperation, and practice the real Multilateralism promotes the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Xi Jinping made five suggestions.
First, unite and cooperate to fight the epidemic together. The international community should work together to respond to and defeat the new crown pneumonia epidemic with a scientific attitude, strengthen cooperation in prevention and control, diagnosis and treatment methods, and improve the ability to respond to major public health emergencies. The G20 should play a leading role in building consensus, mobilizing resources, and promoting cooperation.
I would like to further propose a global vaccine cooperation initiative: First, strengthen vaccine scientific research cooperation and support vaccine companies in joint R&D and production with developing countries. The second is to uphold fairness and justice, increase the supply of vaccines to developing countries, and implement the 2022 global vaccination target set by the World Health Organization. The third is to support the World Trade Organization’s early decision on vaccine intellectual property rights exemptions and encourage vaccine companies to transfer technology to developing countries. The fourth is to strengthen cross-border trade cooperation to ensure smooth trade in vaccines and raw materials. Fifth, treat all kinds of vaccines fairly, and promote mutual recognition of vaccines based on the World Health Organization’s vaccine emergency use list. The sixth is to provide financial support for global vaccine cooperation, especially for developing countries to obtain vaccines.
At present, China has provided more than 1.6 billion doses of vaccines to more than 100 countries and international organizations, and will provide more than 2 billion doses to the outside world this year. China is carrying out joint vaccine production with 16 countries and launching the “Belt and Road” vaccine partnership initiative with 30 countries. China is willing to work with all parties to improve the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries and make positive contributions to building a global vaccine defense line.
Second, strengthen coordination and promote recovery. We should strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination and maintain policy continuity, stability, and sustainability. Major economies should adopt responsible macroeconomic policies to avoid negative spillover effects on developing countries and maintain the steady operation of the international economic and financial system.
At the same time, we should take a long-term view, improve the global economic governance system and rules, truly reflect the changes in the international economic landscape, and enhance the voice of developing countries. China welcomes the International Monetary Fund’s issuance of special drawing rights, and is willing to lend it to low-income countries severely affected by the epidemic.
The multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as its core should be maintained, an open world economy should be built, and the rights and development space of developing countries should be protected. It is necessary to restore the normal operation of the dispute settlement mechanism as soon as possible to maintain the security and stability of the industrial chain and supply chain. China proposes to hold an international forum on resilience and stability of industrial chains and supply chains, and welcomes the active participation of members of the G20 and relevant international organizations. China is willing to work with all parties to promote high-quality co-construction of the “Belt and Road” to achieve more fruitful results.
Third, inclusive, inclusive and common development. We should insist on putting people at the center, improve the fairness, effectiveness, and inclusiveness of global development, and work hard not to leave any country behind. The G20 should place development in a prominent position in macro-policy coordination and implement initiatives to support the industrialization of Africa and the least developed countries. Developed economies must fulfill their official development assistance commitments and provide developing countries with more resources. The global development initiative initiated by me at the United Nations is highly compatible with the purpose and key directions of the G20 to promote global development. All countries are welcome to participate actively.
Fourth, drive innovation and tap power. The G20 should work together to tap the potential for innovation growth, formulate rules based on full participation and broad consensus, and create a good ecosystem for innovation-driven development. Creating small circles artificially, or even drawing lines with ideology, will only create barriers and increase obstacles, and will do no harm to scientific and technological innovation.
We must share the responsibility of the digital age, accelerate the construction of new digital infrastructure, promote the deep integration of digital technology and the real economy, and help developing countries eliminate the “digital divide.” China has already proposed the Global Data Security Initiative. We can jointly discuss the formulation of international rules for digital governance that reflect the wishes of all parties and respect the interests of all parties, and actively create an open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory digital development environment. China attaches great importance to international cooperation in the digital economy and has decided to apply for joining the “Digital Economy Partnership Agreement” and is willing to work with all parties to promote the healthy and orderly development of the digital economy.
Fifth, harmonious coexistence, green and sustainable. The G20 should uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, promote the full implementation of the Paris Agreement to address climate change, and support the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the tenth meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The five conferences of the parties were a success. Developed countries should set an example on the issue of emission reduction, fully accommodate the special difficulties and concerns of developing countries, implement climate financing commitments, and provide support to developing countries in terms of technology and capacity building.
China has always taken the initiative to assume international responsibilities in line with its national conditions, actively promote the green transformation of the economy, and continuously increase its efforts to respond to climate change. China will strive to achieve carbon peaks by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. We will keep our promises and join hands with other countries to take the path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development.
Xi Jinping pointed out that the ancient Chinese said: “A person who is honest is the bond of the world.” That is to say, honesty is the foundation of making friends with the world. China will adhere to the basic national policy of opening up to the outside world, give full play to its super-large-scale market advantages and the potential of domestic demand, focus on promoting the institutional opening of rules, regulations, management, and standards, continue to increase the protection of intellectual property rights, and continue to build marketization, rule of law, and internationalization. The business environment provides a fair and just market order for Chinese and foreign companies. I believe that China’s development will bring more new opportunities to all countries and inject more new momentum into the world economy.
Xi Jinping finally emphasized that building a community with a shared future for mankind requires unremitting efforts from all countries in the world. The road is obstructed and long, the line is approaching, and the line does not stop, the future can be expected. Let us unite, dispel the haze of the epidemic as soon as possible, and work together to build a better future.
The summit was hosted by Italian Prime Minister Draghi, the chairman of the Group of Twenty this year. Leaders of G20 members, leaders of guest countries, and heads of relevant international organizations attended the meeting through a combination of online and offline methods.
State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting in Italy as the special representative of President Xi Jinping.
