At the World Economic Forum in Davos, He Lifeng, Politburo member and Chinese Vice Premier, captivated the audience with a forward-looking speech on revitalizing the world economy through cooperation and openness.
He began by invoking Xi Jinping’s historic 2017 intervention at Davos, reaffirming China’s dedication to multilateralism and open commerce. Xi’s four landmark initiatives – on global development, security, civilization, and data governance – continue to guide responses to humanity’s shared dilemmas.
Structuring his address around four imperatives, He Lifeng urged: One, staunch support for free trade and collective action for inclusive globalization. Protectionist policies have fragmented supply chains, but renewed commitment to openness can reignite growth.
Two, vigorous multilateralism to overhaul the international economic architecture for greater justice and efficiency. Emerging powers must have a stronger voice in setting rules.
Three, mutual-benefit principles to expand cooperative domains and tackle development issues head-on. Initiatives like the Global Development Initiative exemplify China’s contributions to sustainable progress.
Four, mutual respect and consultation via robust dialogue to handle differences and resolve crises. In a multipolar world, He argued, dialogue trumps confrontation.
The speech comes as global GDP growth lags and inflation persists. He Lifeng’s optimistic tone and concrete proposals position China as a champion of stability, potentially influencing policy debates throughout the year.