Participants attending a special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday expressed hope to enhance cooperation with China as they hailed China's important role in helping different regions around the world achieve balanced development.
Kassoum Coulibaly, co-founder of the Africa Development Group, said that China's successful record in protecting women and children and combating poverty is worth learning. He hopes that China will continue to play a bridging role in narrowing the global development gap.
"I see how China is improving lives of women and young people, and how China is contributing to global cooperation, global growth and global energy for development. That's the topic we are discussing here in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. And I can say that China is also a global and a key partner for the development of Africa. And I find that China can be a bridge, and it's already a bridge. So I think China can continue to improve and to share its experience in technology and transfer them to the African continent and to see how we can co-invest and co-develop," said Coulibaly.
Attendees also said that they have benefited a lot from economic cooperation with China and will further strengthen business ties with China in the future.
"Yeah, we are the one of the largest hypermarket retail chains in the Gulf and Middle East and also in different parts of the world. Then we are also one of the largest importers of Chinese products, including food products from China to Middle East and to Gulf. And we have got our food processing and export [businesses] in Guangzhou, in Yiwu, in Tianjin, and in different parts. And we are very happy of the quality of China and the support from the Chinese exporters and processors. And we will try to bring more products from China," said Yusuff Ali, chairman and managing director of LuLu Group International.
The two-day special meeting on global collaboration, growth and energy for development took place with the aim of facilitating dialog among thought leaders and the public on a range of topics including environmental challenges, mental health, digital currencies, artificial intelligence, the role of the arts in society, modern entrepreneurship, and smart cities.
WEF attendees eye further cooperation with China
WEF attendees eye further cooperation with China
WEF attendees eye further cooperation with China
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a restrictive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday at Zhongnanhai in Beijing, during which they had in-depth exchanges on strategic issues of common concern.
The world is undergoing changes unseen in a century and entering a new period of turbulence and transformation, Xi noted, adding that in the face of the ever-evolving world landscape with volatility and turmoil, China has maintained its strategic resolve.
He said that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have overcome various difficulties and challenges, and are striving to promote high-quality development and Chinese modernization.
China is willing to work with Russia and other countries to enhance solidarity and cooperation, steer global governance in the right direction, jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote world peace and common development, Xi said.
Noting that China's development is unstoppable and that no force can contain China's growth and progress, Putin said that Russia is willing to improve cooperation with China and other Global South countries to promote international fairness and justice, and to work toward a more equal and multipolar world.
The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis.
Xi elaborated on China's consistent position and efforts to promote the political settlement of the Ukraine issue, stressing that to deal with any major issue, it is necessary to address both the symptoms and the root causes, and to plan for the present as well as for the long term.
He said the core of the Global Security Initiative is advocating the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and the fundamental solution to the Ukraine issue is to promote the establishment of a new balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture.
Xi said China supports the convening of an international peace conference recognized by Russia and Ukraine at an appropriate time with equal participation and fair discussion of all options, so as to push for an early political settlement of the Ukraine issue, and China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in this regard.
Putin introduced the relevant views and positions of Russia, saying that Russia appreciates China's objective, just and balanced position on the Ukraine issue and welcomes China to continue to play an important and constructive role in the political settlement of the issue. Russia is committed to resolving the Ukraine issue through political negotiations and is willing to demonstrate sincerity and maintain close communication with China in this regard, he said.
Xi said that over the years, they have had many meetings and every exchange has been candid, in-depth and fruitful.
Xi said he is ready to stay in close contact with President Putin and work together to steer the development of China-Russia relations in the right direction, guide the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era to achieve steady and lasting progress, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute to world security and stability.
Putin thanked Xi for his warm hospitality, saying that he is willing to maintain close communication with Xi, implement the important consensus reached between them, and ensure the full development of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.
Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai
Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai
