Global observers have lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, saying it underscored China's firm commitment to multilateralism and inclusive development.
Xi attended the first session of the APEC meeting on Friday in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea (ROK).
In his speech at the annual gathering, he called for joint efforts to safeguard the multilateral trading system, build an open economic environment in the region, keep industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, advance the digital and green transformation of trade, and promote universally beneficial and inclusive development.
The remarks drew the ears of business advocates and political leaders around the world, who noted that the president's words reflect China's vision for open cooperation, shared growth, and a more interconnected global economy amid rising protectionist trends.
"So I think what President Xi Jinping is suggesting here is going to be beneficial for business because it is supportive of a multilateral trading system, and I think that is what the world needs right now, is a multilateral trading system that is fair, equitable and allows all partnerships to flourish," said Stavros Nicolaou, a South African member of the BRICS Business Council.
"Experience in recent years has shown that the destinies of peoples around the world are already closely interconnected. No country can enjoy security alone. We should not build an international system that benefits only a few countries while harming others. The Global Governance Initiative and the Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping are aimed at ensuring the common survival and development of humanity and jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind," said Gyula Thurmer, president of the Hungarian Workers' Party.
International scholars also emphasized that China has always upheld the concept of win-win cooperation, continuously contributing to the development of the Asia-Pacific region and even the world at large.
"Multilateralism in trading systems is really important today because in the context of massive industrial supply chains around the world, we can't rely on one country, we can't rely on 'I should get more then you can lose anything'. So we need more shared commitment. Shared commitment means what Mr. Xi tried to propose as inclusive economic growth," said Azhar Syahida, a researcher at the Center of Reform on Economics of Indonesia.
Xi's APEC speech lays out path to flourishing partnerships, shared commitment: global observers
