Xi offers a win-win way forward

In the midst of various global and regional geopolitical issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and trade frictions, President Xi Jinping delivered a special address on Monday to the all-virtual 2022 World Economic Forum.

The key themes that underlined his speech demonstrated the rise of a world leader in Xi, as well as of China as a country. In a speech full of symbolism and anecdotes, Xi talked of his country's willingness to provide additional COVID-19 vaccines and the urgent need for global collaboration to overcome political, economic, security and health crises and gridlocks, as well as to jettison Cold War approaches and mentality in responding to world challenges.

It was clear that the Chinese leader's speech was aimed at delivering a powerful message against the politics of divide and rule and one-upmanship, calling instead for a win-win approach to world problems.

Essentially, Xi's speech was about optimism, confidence, problem-solving－be it through exemplary leadership at home or abroad－and being forward-looking. Clearly, the "Century of Humiliation" is behind China today. At a time of nonstop crises around the world, Xi attempted to provide a stable hand and anchor that aims to push the clouds of uncertainty away and assert a can-do human spirit.

China and the Asian region, directly and indirectly, were being projected as the future, be it in the political, economic, strategic or even innovation domains. Without referring to it as the Asian paradigm, Xi talked of endemic multiple crises that, if left unaddressed, could deal a great setback to those who fail to tackle them, to the detriment of the people under such leaders. People simply cannot live on empty words or hyped media promises of feeling good.

In the words of Xi, while small boats may not survive a storm, "a giant ship is strong enough to brave a storm". However, China is not going to lead the world through ideological or military power but rather through cooperative efforts.

Rather than through the Monroe, Truman, Eisenhower, Carter or even Bush doctrines, China is going to lead the world through example and, more important, by helping others to address and overcome their multiple challenges.

The championing of economic globalization, the need to build bridges－not walls－to promote economic growth and integration, a fostering of internationalism rather than nationalism, the dangers of unilateralism and protectionism, the threat of bullying and hegemony, the need to be sensitive to climate change and environmental protection, and the all-important goal of common prosperity were recurrent themes throughout Xi's speech.

His statesmanship in the midst of global political, economic and health crises cannot be denied or dismissed. Clearly, after the terrible injustice inflicted by the West on China since the mid-19th century, China has arrived as a great power, and Xi's speech was a testimony to this.

By using Chinese characteristics to describe China's leadership, including the need to "add wings to the tiger" as the Year of the Tiger of the Chinese zodiac is about to arrive, Xi is clearly showing a different China, more confident and articulate, and where the words are backed by deeds and the sheer power of China as a modern state.

This involves not just talking about strength but also using it for goodwill, as evident from the fact that 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have already been exported by China to 120 countries and another 1 billion will be provided, including a donation of 600 million doses to Africa and 150 million doses to China's neighbors in Southeast Asia. The West combined is nowhere near China in this regard.

In the final analysis, Xi's speech was about how to move forward in a world that is wracked by multiple crises. The world is at the cusp of a new world order, and the role and importance of China is global bliss.

The author is deputy head of the political science department at National University of Singapore. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.