Chinese President Xi Jinping on Globalization, Multilateral Trade

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that his country will not pursue hegemony no matter how powerful it becomes, calling for “fairer and more equitable” global governance.

Beijing has increasingly clashed with the US and other countries in both Asia Pacific and Europe on issues ranging from human rights to unfair trade practices. Those countries have expressed concern that China’s growing political and economic influence threatens the world order.

“As much as it grows, China will never strive for hegemony, expansion, or sphere of influence, nor will China ever participate in an arms race,” Xi said at the opening ceremony of the annual Boao Forum for Asia in China’s Hainan province. .

Xi also claimed, not for the first time, that China is a champion of globalization and the multilateral trading system, saying that international rules should not be set by just one or a few countries.

Without mentioning countries, Xi said that great nations should behave in a way “befitting their status and with a greater sense of responsibility.”

He also spoke against a “Cold War” mentality and an “ideological confrontation”, adding that any country interfering in others’ internal affairs would receive no support whatsoever.

Xi’s comments came when US-China relations got off to a rocky start under President Joe Biden’s rule.

The United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and others have spoken out against China on issues ranging from Hong Kong’s autonomy – a Chinese special administrative region – to allegations of serious human rights violations in Western China. Beijing has accused Washington of meddling in internal affairs.

Last month, Biden said China has “an overall goal of becoming the leading country, the richest country in the world and the most powerful country in the world.” The US president said he will not let that happen under his supervision.