Chinese president calls for promoting global unity

With the world facing unprecedented changes, the human community has to boost unity, stay true to mutual learning, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, build on common values and make a better world together, President Xi Jinping said.

Xi made the comments in a congratulatory letter that he sent on Monday to the 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum, which is being held in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

The theme of this year's forum, which concludes on Tuesday, is "Multilateralism: More Exchanges, Greater Inclusiveness and Cooperation".

Xi voiced the hope that all the distinguished guests would brainstorm to generate ideas, speak out for the practice of genuine multilateralism, and contribute to building a global community of shared future.

He noted that since its founding, the Imperial Springs International Forum has brought together people of insight from all over the world.

The forum, which was launched in 2014, has hosted in-depth discussions on many topics that affect world peace and stability and involve sustainable economic development, cultural exchanges, and mutual learning.

It has played "a positive role in promoting international cooperation and enhancing people-to-people bonds", Xi wrote.

Prominent political figures from more than 40 countries, officials of international organizations, foreign diplomats based in China and scholars attended the forum.

The event was co-organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, the Guangdong provincial government and the World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid.

When addressing the event's opening, Vice-President Han Zheng said that Xi, through his letter, has profoundly explained the essence of multilateralism and outlined the direction to safeguard and practice true multilateralism.

Under the current circumstances, it is more important than ever to adhere to the core values and basic principles of multilateralism, and to practice a global governance outlook based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, Han said.

He called on the world to coexist peacefully on the premise of seeking common ground while shelving differences, to integrate and develop via exchanges based on equality, and to make common progress based on mutual learning.

Han emphasized that global governance needs to become fairer and more reasonable, and he called for injecting more stability and positivity into the world.

He also urged greater efforts to oppose hegemony, power politics and unilateralism under the pretext of multilateralism.

When talking about remaining committed to the right direction of globalization, Han stressed the need to reject protectionism and moves that seek decoupling or the disruption of industry and supply chains.

He added that the pie for mutually beneficial cooperation should be even bigger, to inject more impetus into the recovery of the world economy, he added.

The vice-president also emphasized the need to adhere to dialogue and consultation, and he called on the world to promote political solutions to hot spot issues and jointly address risks and challenges.

(China Daily)