Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday delivered a keynote speech at the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum and made a strong case for advancing globalization and rejecting protectionism.[Special coverage]
Here's how worldwide elites react to the 50-minute address, which is titled "Jointly Shoulder Responsibility of Our Times, Promote Global Growth."
Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director of Greenpeace International
Given the current volatility of global politics, President Xi Jinping's address not only helped calm nerves but boosted global confidence. Xi's reference to climate change highlights China's evolving calculus towards taking action on the issue. Now more than ever, the world needs to follow committed powers like China to safeguard and enhance the hard-fought international climate regime.
Zhang Yuyan, director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
President Xi's remarks objectively elaborated the role of globalization in the entire process of human history and suggested that its role should be viewed dialectically. Trade protectionism, populism and nationalism can quell public dissatisfaction for the time being, but in the long run, they will harm the overall interests of all.
Catherine Fiankan-Bokongka, vice president of the UN Correspondents Association and chief editor of Swiss magazine Klvin Mag
China has been a defender of the world's multilateral trading system all the time. Last year, the G20 summit was held in Hangzhou, and China injected new vitality into world's innovation-oriented economy. Xi's speech not only showed China's determination to continue its way of development, but also offered solutions to the world's and regional economic problems.
Shu Yinbiao, chairman of State Grid Corporation of China
At a time when the economic outlook is uncertain and the recovery is weak, President Xi Jinping's speech not only pointed out the difficulties and problems of the global economy, offering China's plan, but also expressed confidence in the long-term sustainable growth of China's economy as well. This sent a strong signal to the international community that China's economy is able to maintain long-term, stable and sustainable development.
Nariman Behravesh, chief economist at IHS
China has been a locomotive of growth, especially for the emerging world, but really for the whole world. A more positive perspective of China is an accurate one.
Hans-Paul Buerkner, chairman of Boston Consulting Group
President Xi emphasized the importance of continued globalization, growth and equity, which impressed me the most.
Khalid Al Rumaihi, chief executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board
President Xi's insistence to deepen globalization, to strengthen economic growth, and his warning against isolationism are extremely comforting and a strong endorsement.
Vincent A. Forlenza, CEO and President of BD
I thought it was a very positive, realistic and open speech.
Ian Bremmer, president of political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, on Twitter
Davos reaction to Xi speech: Success on all counts. Miles away from any official Chinese speech before.
Swiss daily newspaper Tribune de Geneve
Xi's remarks were "thinly veiled," as he reminded the U.S. future president that "no one will emerge as a winner in a trade war."
