Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the APEC Informal Economic Leaders' Retreat via video link in Beijing, July 16, 2021. (PHOTO/XINHUA)
BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for removing barriers, opening up and seeking integration.
Addressing the APEC Informal Economic Leaders' Retreat via video link in Beijing, Xi stressed the importance of promoting the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment.
"We must remove barriers, not erect walls. We must open up, not close off. We must seek integration, not decoupling," Xi told world leaders.
We must remove barriers, not erect walls. We must open up, not close off. We must seek integration, not decoupling.
Xi Jinping, Chinese President
This is the way to make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all, Xi said.
On helping developing countries in the fight against COVID-19, Xi said China will provide another US$3 billion in international aid over the next three years to support COVID-19 response and economic recovery in developing countries.
READ MORE: Xi's speech on multilateralism lauded overseas
While China has provided more than 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries, it has also financed the founding of a sub-fund on APEC Cooperation on Combating COVID-19 and Economic Recovery, Xi said.
The sub-fund will help APEC economies win an early victory over COVID-19 and achieve economic recovery, he added.
Humanity’s victory
In his speech, Xi voiced full confidence in humanity's victory over the pandemic through cooperation.
"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you," Xi said, citing a Maori saying in New Zealand.
New Zealand is the revolving Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation host. Friday's extraordinary meeting was held ahead of a formal gathering in November, the first time such an additional meeting has been held.
FULL TEXT: Xi's speech at APEC Informal Economic Leaders' Retreat
Xi also called on APEC members to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"For member economies of the Asia-Pacific, defeating COVID-19 and restoring growth at an early date are our top priority for the time being," he said.
Xi made a four-pronged proposal for Asia-Pacific cooperation, including strengthening international cooperation on COVID-19 response, deepening regional economic integration, pursuing inclusive and sustainable development, and seizing opportunities from scientific and technological innovation.
ALSO READ: Xi: CPC pursues growth for allChina will build a new system of open economy of higher standards, create a more attractive business environment, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, he said, expressing the hope to work with countries in the Asia-Pacific and beyond to achieve higher-standard mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
He also called on APEC members to work for a digital business environment that is open, fair and non-discriminatory.
"Win-win cooperation is the only right way forward, while a closed-door policy, exclusion, confrontation and division would only lead to a dead end," Xi said, calling the global digital economy an open and close-knit entity.