Xi Rejects U.S. Dominance, Calls for Multilateralism
BEIJING (Dispatches) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for more equitable management of global affairs and, in an implicit rejection of U.S. dominance, said governments shouldn’t impose rules on others.
Xi’s speech at an economic forum comes amid rising tension between Beijing and Washington over China’s strategic clout and demands for a bigger role in making trade and other rules.
Without mentioning the United States, Xi criticized "unilateralism of individual countries” and warned against decoupling, a reference to fears U.S.-Chinese tension over technology and security will split industries and markets into separate, less productive spheres with incompatible standards.
"International affairs should be handled by everyone through consultation,” Xi said by video link to the Boao Forum for Asia on the southern island of Hainan. "Rules made by one or more countries should not be forced upon others.”
Xi called for stronger cooperation in research on coronavirus vaccines and steps to make them available to developing countries.
Xi’s comments reflected the country’s desire for global influence to match China’s status as the second-largest economy and frustration at what party leaders see as U.S. efforts to block its progress.
Those sentiments have been fueled by sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump that block access to U.S. processor chips and other technology for Chinese tech giant Huawei and some other companies.
Some of Xi’s comments touched on Beijing’s activity in the South China Sea and other areas where territorial claims by Japan, the Philippines, India and other countries have given a pretext to the U.S. to meddle in regional affairs.
"No matter how far it develops, China will never seek hegemony, expand, seek spheres of influence or engage in an arms race,” Xi said.
The annual Boao forum, founded in 2001, is modeled on the Davos gathering of business leaders in Switzerland.
Speeding up a two-decade-old campaign to make China self-reliant in technology has been declared this year’s top economic priority by the country’s leaders.
"Building walls and decoupling violate economic and market rules, harming others,” Xi said.
He said the global governance system should be made more equitable and fair. China has long called for reforms in global governance in which the perspectives and values of multiple countries are reflected, instead of a few major nations.
Xi’s speech at an economic forum comes amid rising tension between Beijing and Washington over China’s strategic clout and demands for a bigger role in making trade and other rules.
Without mentioning the United States, Xi criticized "unilateralism of individual countries” and warned against decoupling, a reference to fears U.S.-Chinese tension over technology and security will split industries and markets into separate, less productive spheres with incompatible standards.
"International affairs should be handled by everyone through consultation,” Xi said by video link to the Boao Forum for Asia on the southern island of Hainan. "Rules made by one or more countries should not be forced upon others.”
Xi called for stronger cooperation in research on coronavirus vaccines and steps to make them available to developing countries.
Xi’s comments reflected the country’s desire for global influence to match China’s status as the second-largest economy and frustration at what party leaders see as U.S. efforts to block its progress.
Those sentiments have been fueled by sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump that block access to U.S. processor chips and other technology for Chinese tech giant Huawei and some other companies.
Some of Xi’s comments touched on Beijing’s activity in the South China Sea and other areas where territorial claims by Japan, the Philippines, India and other countries have given a pretext to the U.S. to meddle in regional affairs.
"No matter how far it develops, China will never seek hegemony, expand, seek spheres of influence or engage in an arms race,” Xi said.
The annual Boao forum, founded in 2001, is modeled on the Davos gathering of business leaders in Switzerland.
Speeding up a two-decade-old campaign to make China self-reliant in technology has been declared this year’s top economic priority by the country’s leaders.
"Building walls and decoupling violate economic and market rules, harming others,” Xi said.
He said the global governance system should be made more equitable and fair. China has long called for reforms in global governance in which the perspectives and values of multiple countries are reflected, instead of a few major nations.