Xi: Open economies can solve global sluggishness

Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the WEF (L) walks out with Chinese President Xi Jinping after a session during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland January 17, 2017.   [Photo/Xinhua]

While meeting with forum founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, Xi said that the Davos World Economic Forum had sent positive signals to the world and boosted people's confidence toward economic globalization.

The forum has focused on the current international situation and pointed a way for the world economy to step out of traps, Xi said.

He pointed out that China now has more close links with the forum, and as many as 10 Davos summer forums have been successfully held in the country.

In the past several years, the Chinese economy has made impressive achievements, and the international community is looking for China's solution, he said.

Doris Leuthard, the Swiss president, noting that extremism, violence and conflict have been frequent in recent years, said the world is experiencing fundamental changes.

"The European Union, stable for so long, now has its work cut out," Leuthard said. "Nationalism and protectionism are gaining the upper hand" in many regions of the world, she added.

Huang Ping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Xi's commitment to an open economy has shown China's responsibility in response to global challenges.

Xi has offered China's solutions to various global problems including the refugee crisis, terrorism, poverty and climate change, he said.

Jin Yong, deputy head of the School of International Studies at Communication University of China, said that since economies around the world are facing uncertainties caused by the transition to a new US president and divisions in Europe, the time is right for China to step up and boost global confidence.

Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn and mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn