Liu He is expected to head a Chinese delegation to the gathering in Davos, Switzerland. (Photo provided to China Daily)
Inspiration continues
Kevin E. Lee, executive vice-chairman of Shanghai-based China Minsheng Investment Group, says he was present when President Xi delivered his speech last year and is still inspired by Xi's global governance vision.
The phrase "responsibility of our times", mentioned last year by Xi, impressed Lee the most. While pursuing growth, the question of how to make growth benefit more people is an important one, says Lee, adding that in the past year, poverty reduction and environmental protection initiatives have made tremendous progress in China.
He says China's continuous progress on reform, economic openness and the Belt and Road Initiative demonstrates the country's determination to take on more responsibilities and contribute to more inclusive economic growth.
"For companies both in China and worldwide, this is a positive sign and means opportunities in a series of sectors in relation to the improvement of people's livelihood," says Lee.
Feike Sijbesma, CEO of Dutch multinational Royal DSM, says China has developed a unique economic and societal development trajectory, which resulted in it becoming world's second-largest economy after almost four decades of reform. He also says China has taken on more responsibility on the global stage in recent years.
Sijbesma says he is also encouraged by the fact that China is a solution provider. "DSM views the Belt and Road Initiative as an important part of China's strategy to strengthen cooperation, innovation and globalization as it builds on connecting the competence of many to create a stronger chain for all."
He adds that China is determined to continue its economic growth, developing further prosperity for all people in China by shifting the economic development growth model from a manufacturing-based economy to one based on innovation and the service industry.
"By doing this, China is also convinced to contribute to create a better world, taking its responsibility as a world leader," says Sijbesma.
In the past year, China has played an increasingly important role in global politics, economic development and cultural development, he adds.
"It has demonstrated its leadership role on the global stage," says Sijbesma, adding that it is regrettable that the United States decided to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.
Chris Rowley, professor of Kellogg College of the University of Oxford, says President Xi has aimed to move China more toward the global center stage, defending free trade and economic globalization and warning against trade wars.
In a globalized world, only international cooperation can solve big problems, including the environment, terrorism and nuclear disarmament, while isolationism should be resisted and big countries should treat smaller ones as equals instead of imposing their will on them, Rowley says.
Alexander Machkevitch, chairman of the board of directors of Eurasian Resources Group in Luxembourg, says it was inspiring to see President Xi make the case for more international cooperation and pledge that China will keep its doors open to international investors.
"Globalization, however, is under fire in some parts of the developed world," says Machkevitch. "This is a worry for us."
Machkevitch says such initiatives as the China-led Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank could very well come to be seen as modern counterparts of the U.S. economic initiatives after 1945.
"China and others will be able to use these platforms to facilitate the next phase of globalization," he says.
