I have been considering the discursive trajectories of remarks by significant stakeholders delivered at the 2025 meeting of the World Economic Forum at Davos. For me, the remarks tend to serve as a barometer of the narrative tropes encasing within relevant narratives (which, in turn, encase fundamental and critical cognitive cages) whatever objectives these stakeholders will attempt to further during the course of the year. Presidents Zelenskyy, Trump, and von der Leyen each offered a glimpse of the emerging, if fractured vision for a post-global global order. The picture of the pieces into which the global has fractured into the post-global is incomplete without also considering the Chinese path to post-global globalization, Each, of course, suggests not just fracture, but a re-centering of ideologically developed cores that are sourced not in international organs but in hub state cores radiating from out of which, in values and action, are the spokes through which new values based global ordering may be best achieved. Taken together, of course, one might be excused for observing, ironically, the emerging new twist on the E.U. motto--"Unity in Diversity," perhaps in a more dynamic form of "the unity of layered diversities" each suggesting both a cognitive cage, and a willingness to grow that cave's footprint. What one winds up with are layers--and post-global polycentricity within dynamic ecologies of public, priviate, economic, political, social, and cultural power.
Indeed, China has been a significant participant in this ritual for a number of years. That reflects a significant change in China's normative position on international relations that found expression in the early part of the 21st century and certainly was more formally expressed in what became its current form from at least the 16th Congress of the Communist Party of China (2002). China has been clear since then, to anyone willing to listen, that China was going to adopt a more muscular project of engagement with the (re)construction of the global order, or whatever part of it might be worth engaging for these ends. It pays to remember the generative power of CPC General Secretary Jiang Zemin's Report:
The purpose of China's foreign policy is to maintain world peace and promote common development. We are ready to work with all nations to advance the lofty cause of world peace and development.
Pix credit CGTN
We stand for going along with the historical tide and safeguarding the common interests of mankind. We are ready to work with the international community to boost world multipolarization, promote a harmonious coexistence of diverse forces and maintain stability in the international community. We will promote the development of economic globalization in a direction conducive to common prosperity, draw on its advantages and avoid its disadvantages so that all countries, particularly developing countries, can benefit from the process.
We stand for establishing a new international political and economic order that is fair and rational. * * * Economically they should complement one another and pursue common development and should not create a polarization of wealth. Culturally they should learn from one another and work for common prosperity and should not exclude cultures of other nations. In the area of security, countries should trust one another and work together to maintain security, foster a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination, and settle their disputes through dialogue and cooperation and should not resort to the use or threat of force.
And, indeed, China has been among the most active in theorizing and seeking to embed that theory of global strictures, behaviors, expectations, and norms, since the second decade of this century.
The echoes of the seeds planted in 2005, now more fully developed in the New Era of Chinas historical development and more muscularly projected within international organizations and among the community of States, finds expression in Chinese discourse at Davos. Last year at Davos, Chinese Premier Li Qiang offered trust in a vanguard state representing global leading forces dedicated to the realization of normatively identifiable objectives. This year Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang offered a more intense and summary glimpse of the Chinese Socialist path toward the perfection of the global system. That, too, is based on trust, but more specifically on the New Era approach to the ordering of States, collectives, and the community of nations within a values structure that aligns with developments in China contextualized to the spaces in which it might find a home. In that respect it is a set of remarks that looks back and consolidates a vision for the world order. That is in marked difference from the remarks of President Trump that was aggressively disruptive of that order and that of Presidents von der Leyen and Zelenskyy that were both reactive and protective in the face of that disruptive thrust.
The Address by Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang's at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 (as published in China Daily) follows below along with my brief comments.
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1. Vice-Premier Ding situates China's perspective within the developments of Chinese internationalism crystalized in China's New Era under the leadership of the CPC's General Secretary Xi. "Eight years ago, it was here in Davos that Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered the important speech in which he pondered the question of our times - "what has gone wrong with the world, and what should we do about it" - and sent a resounding message that China will support economic globalization, uphold and practice multilateralism, and join the effort to make the world a better place." (Address by Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang'). The echo of General Secretary Jiang's internal address to the Chinese Communist Party has now been developed, contemporaneously situated, and prepared for projection abroad. BOth the message and the vision remain consistent and unchanged. "Since then, President Xi had offered clear answers twice at the WEF to the questions of how to improve global governance and build a community with a shared future for mankind, which provided important guidance to the international community." (Ibid.).
2. One might read as as a sideways comment about the shifting perspectives of American (and to a lesser extent) European administrations.Yet its main point is to suggest the value and legitimacy of the new vision got a globalized post-global world order that is represented in General Secretary Xi's policies. These are then crystalized in four major points and supported (the proof is in the pudding) by China as an example of the way that vision could work. But Vice Premier Ding makes clear that this is not his aim. Indeed he is aiming higher. He suggests that the Chinese path to Socialist Internationalism is a better bet for overcoming the uncertainties and risks of the transition from the old forms of convergence based internationalism--and one that accords with the times. This effectively underscores the theme of last year's Chinese position at Dais--trust us, trust our system, trust in our success.
3. "First, we need to jointly promote a universally beneficial and
inclusive economic globalization. Economic globalization is an inherent
requirement for the development of productive forces, and an inevitable
result of technological advancement."(Address by Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang'). The object is trade growth in which everyone participates. But the nature of that trade growth might veer in any number of directions. Certainly, trade augmentation of value to all participants may be directed by states--so that the basis of trade becomes a state-to-state enterprise undertaken in markets which serve as the platforms in which state instrumentalists, public and private, might engage in the production and consumption of value--value related at once both to state objectives and economic or financial value. Tariffs are bad for business the Vice Premier suggests, and inclusive growth is to be encouraged. Nonetheless, it is in the character of that win win that China offers something of a different path--one more intensely state managed and driven by the instrumentalization of economic activity in the service of state policy. "I believe that we have the wisdom and capability needed to find a
win-win and all-win solution, one that is based on mutually beneficial
cooperation, through communication and coordination. We should not only
make the pie of economic globalization bigger, but also distribute it
better." (Ibid.). The position is likely more appealing to European States (where the driver is state policy grounded in human rights and sustainability), than it may be to the United States that tends to be more leery of state directed managed markets.
4. "Second, we need to jointly uphold and practice true multilateralism. Multilateralism is the right way to maintain world peace and promote human progress." (Address by Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang'). True multilateralism is fundamentally driven by the mechanisms of state-to-sate interactions, bent to trade expansion, and managed as a function of national public objectives. "International affairs should be decided by all through discussion, and the future of the world should be determined by all countries together. This is a consensus shared by the international community. We must hold high the banner of multilateralism, pursue the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and ensure equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules for all countries in international affairs."(Ibid.). All of this should be undertaken through the current institutional framework of state-to-state relations--the United Nations systems and its related apparatus of international economic law. Yet, the affirmation of the structures of these organs is not an affirmation of their values, operations, or structures, all of which require changing, sometimes fundamental, to come closer to the General Secretary's vision of a properly operating international system. "It is in tis context that the Vice Premier's affirmation becomes clearer: "We should seize the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, and make global governance more just and equitable." (Address by Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang').
5. "Third, we need to jointly foster new drivers and strengths for global
economic development." This might be the most interesting part of the address. While much of it affirms the vision of the General Secretary already developed, this part focuses on a quite interest8ing development within that vision--the refinement of the idea of socialist modernization as a comprehensive term (Chinese Modernization Is Socialist Modernization Led by the CPC; Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization), and its alignment with the concept of new or high quality development (considered here,New
Quality Development Theory: Snippets From Speeches and Writings of the
General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party: 习近平：开创我国高质量发展新局面 (Xi
Jinping: Create a new situation for high-quality development in China)) .
6. "Fourth, we need to jointly tackle major global challenges. Currently,
the world is going through transformation and turbulence, and
challenges such as climate change, food security and energy security
keep cropping up. " Here the Vice Premiere recalled two key elements of emerging Chinese Internationalism--the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. This is the essence of the vision of Chinese Internationalism. It sis comprehensive, focused on development as the engine for forward movement, and the interrelationship between economics, culture and social solidarity from a Marxist-Leninist point of view. That point of view is grounded in the critical role of political leading forces, the centrality of state-to-state relations, capacity building, and the instrumental nature of markets and the private sector as the means through which public policy may be furthered.
7. "China is a key engine for global economic development." A central element of the Chinese model is contained within structures of hub and spokes--with China as a critical hub around which stable and useful structures can be built, maintained, and operated for the benefit of all as they rotate and engage under the guidance and leadership (b example and in practice) of that core hub. Ironically, that also appears to be the way in which the United States is now approaching the structures, norms, and expectations of a global order, but this time with the United States at and as the hub. In a sense that is a complement to the extraordinary power of this vision developed under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping. At the same time it suggests a Chinese style multilateralism of at least two hubs around which the international global order is to be rationalized, operated, and elaborated. "Talking about Chinese path to modernization, Xi said that it is rooted in China's national conditions and also draws on the experience of other countries; it delivers benefit to the Chinese people and also advances common development of the world.* Xi proposed the Global Civilization Initiative." (Xi urges political parties to steer course for modernization, proposes Global Civilization Initiative).
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Links to the 2025 Davos Discourse Series:
Full text: Address by Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang's at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025
DAVOS, Switzerland -- Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang on Tuesday delivered a special address at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland.
The following is the full text of the speech entitled "Keeping to the Right Path of Multilateralism and Promoting Open and Inclusive Development":
Special Address by H.E. Ding Xuexiang
Vice-Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China
At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 Davos, January 21, 2025
Professor Klaus Schwab,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
It gives me great pleasure to come to beautiful Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, an important platform for discussing global economic issues and a vanguard for promoting international exchanges and cooperation. This small town is attractive not only for its picturesque landscape, but also for inspiring new ideas and facilitating common progress.
Eight years ago, it was here in Davos that Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered the important speech in which he pondered the question of our times - "what has gone wrong with the world, and what should we do about it" - and sent a resounding message that China will support economic globalization, uphold and practice multilateralism, and join the effort to make the world a better place. The speech, as Professor Schwab concluded, "brought us some sunshine." Upon deep reflection, President Xi pointed out that "any attempt to channel the waters in the ocean back into isolated lakes and creeks is simply not possible," and that "pursuing protectionism is like locking oneself in a dark room. While wind and rain may be kept outside, that dark room will also block light and air." I had the privilege of listening to that speech in the audience, and it is still fresh in my memory. Since then, President Xi had offered clear answers twice at the WEF to the questions of how to improve global governance and build a community with a shared future for mankind, which provided important guidance to the international community.
As we meet, transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the world. With imminent tariff wars and trade wars, an ongoing tug of war between the forces for and against economic globalization, and intense rivalry between multilateralism and unilateralism, global governance is undergoing profound adjustments. Human society has once again come to a critical crossroads, hoping that the sun will break through clouds and mists to light up the way forward. It is time to recall President Xi's important speech. We should firm up confidence, uphold solidarity and cooperation, and forge ahead hand in hand despite high winds and choppy waters to build a community with a shared future for mankind. We should provide more stability and certainty for the world, and build a just world of common development. Here, I wish to share a few observations.
First, we need to jointly promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. Economic globalization is an inherent requirement for the development of productive forces, and an inevitable result of technological advancement. Indeed, it is an overwhelming trend of history. Over the years, despite some headwinds and setbacks, economic globalization has demonstrated strong resilience and dynamism. According to WTO statistics, the total volume of global trade has grown by an average of 5.8 percent per year since 1995, and reached 30.4 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. Between 1995 and 2022, the share of middle- and low-income countries in global export rose from 16 percent to 32 percent. And developed countries did not lose out from this. Their growth rates and the well-being of their peoples have also been effectively boosted. Economic globalization is not a "you-lose-I-win" zero-sum game, but a universally beneficial process where all can benefit and win together.
Admittedly, economic globalization will bring some tensions and disagreements on distribution. These issues can only be resolved in the process of promoting economic globalization. Protectionism leads nowhere. Trade war has no winners. We must seize all opportunities to steer economic globalization in the right direction, tackle the development challenges with universal benefit, and pool strengths with inclusive cooperation, so as to usher in a new phase of economic globalization that is more dynamic, more inclusive and more sustainable. I believe that we have the wisdom and capability needed to find a win-win and all-win solution, one that is based on mutually beneficial cooperation, through communication and coordination. We should not only make the pie of economic globalization bigger, but also distribute it better.
Second, we need to jointly uphold and practice true multilateralism. Multilateralism is the right way to maintain world peace and promote human progress. It is the "golden key" to solving the difficulties and challenges facing this world. International affairs should be decided by all through discussion, and the future of the world should be determined by all countries together. This is a consensus shared by the international community. We must hold high the banner of multilateralism, pursue the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and ensure equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules for all countries in international affairs.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. We should seize the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, and make global governance more just and equitable. We should firmly uphold the multilateral trading system with WTO at its core, uphold its role as the main channel for rules-making on international trade, and foster an open, inclusive and nondiscriminatory environment for international economic cooperation.
Third, we need to jointly foster new drivers and strengths for global economic development. The theme of this year's annual meeting, "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," is highly relevant. In today's world, the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is deepening, cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology and biomedicine are flourishing, and digital, green and intelligent development is picking up pace. We should seize and make the most of these opportunities to enhance connectivity in the digital age, promote international cooperation on scientific and technological innovation, help countries strengthen emerging and future industries, and accelerate the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces.
In recent years, the North-South divide has become more pronounced, and the gaps in technology, digital access and AI are still widening. We should uphold the principle of harnessing scientific and technological achievements for the benefit of all humanity, help developing countries build AI, intelligent transportation, smart energy and other new infrastructure, and promote the application of information technology in key livelihood sectors, so that more countries can get on board the fast train of digital economic development.
Fourth, we need to jointly tackle major global challenges. Currently, the world is going through transformation and turbulence, and challenges such as climate change, food security and energy security keep cropping up. Only by strengthening global solidarity and pooling global efforts can we overcome the challenges and build a better future together. President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, offering important public goods to the world. We should work together to advance these three global initiatives to generate enduring impetus for development, pass on the torch of peace to future generations, and illuminate the splendor of civilizations, thereby gathering formidable strength to overcome difficulties and challenges.
Green transition is a prevailing trend of global development and the fundamental solution to climate change. The international community should work together to accelerate the energy transition in an equitable, orderly and just manner, keep the new energy industrial chain stable, and promote green products and technologies. We must follow a consistent approach in addressing climate change, and improve the consistency of environmental and climate policies and economic and trade policies, so as to prevent economic and trade frictions from impeding the process of green transition, and avoid erecting green barriers that could disrupt normal economic and trade cooperation.
Security and development complement and reinforce each other. At present, some international hotspot issues and conflicts are dragging on and having a serious impact on global peace and stability. We should promote security and peace through cooperation and resolve disputes and differences through dialogue. It is essential that we follow a new path to security that chooses dialogue and partnership over confrontation and alliance. We should support the UN and its Security Council in playing a bigger role, and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
China is a key engine for global economic development. Whenever world economic issues are discussed at Davos, a lot of attention would be on China. Here taking this opportunity, I would like to share with you some of the major trends that characterize the Chinese economy.
The first major trend is that high-quality development is making solid progress. This is a big highlight of the Chinese economy. Over the past year, the Chinese economy made steady progress while maintaining overall stability. China's GDP grew by five percent, one of the fastest among major economies. In response to the headwinds and challenges confronting China's economy, we stepped up countercyclical measures, and in particular intensified efforts to introduce a package of incremental policies that effectively boosted the real estate and stock markets, improved market expectations and restored public confidence. As a result, the economy has rebounded and turned for the better.
The headwinds encountered by the Chinese economy are due to both the external environment and temporary pains brought by our own economic restructuring. We have persistently promoted high-quality development. New business sectors, forms and models have kept emerging. This has played an important role in overcoming economic difficulties. During my inspection tours to different parts of China last year, I saw the evident progress in the transition from traditional growth drivers to new ones; I saw emerging and future industries booming and new quality productive forces taking shape at a faster pace. All the businesses I visited - from private companies to foreign-invested ones, and from traditional manufacturing to digital firms - have great confidence in future development.
This year, China will further intensify macro policies, and adopt a more proactive fiscal policy and an appropriately accommodative monetary policy. We will vigorously boost consumption, improve investment performance, facilitate the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, promote the sound and stable development of the capital market, stabilize the real estate market, and effectively prevent and defuse local government debt risks, so as to effectively pursue higher-quality economic growth and appropriately increase economic output. China's stable and sound economic development will inject strong and sustained impetus to global economic development.
The second major trend is that green and low-carbon transition is accelerating across the board. This is a salient feature of the Chinese economy. China is taking concrete actions to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Since 2012, China's energy consumption per unit of GDP and carbon emission intensity have dropped by more than 26 percent and 35 percent respectively. And China's renewable energy now accounts for over 35 percent of its total power generation. China has built the world's largest and most complete new energy industrial chain. 70 percent of the photovoltaic components and 60 percent of wind power equipment worldwide come from China. These high-quality production capacity has served as a strong boost to global green development and climate response. China's circular economy enjoys a robust momentum of development. For example, empowered by new material technology, a Chinese enterprise produces one T-shirt with the polyester yarn extracted from eight plastic bottles, and makes one hardshell jacket with 28 plastic bottles. This way, it consumes more than 30 billion plastic bottles every year, which has both ecological and economic benefits.
China's pursuit of green transition is a long-term commitment rather than an act of expediency. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China's determination and action for proactive climate response will not change. We will make tireless efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate pollution while expanding green transition and promoting economic growth, accelerate the comprehensive transition to green economic and social development, observe the goals and principles of the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, and make greater contributions to global climate response.
The third major trend is that reform and opening up is moving up to a higher level. This is the source of vitality of the Chinese economy. It is through reform and opening up that China caught up with the times in big strides over the past decades, and in order to break new ground in China's modernization drive, we still count on reform and opening up. In July last year, the Communist Party of China held the Third Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee, laying out systematic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. More than 300 important reform measures were introduced at the meeting, and these reform tasks shall be completed by 2029, the year marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. We will build a high-standard socialist market economy, foster a fairer and more dynamic market environment, and make resource allocation as efficient and productive as possible.
Openness is the hallmark of Chinese modernization. In terms of the access for foreign investment, we set up the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in 2013 and issued the first negative list for foreign investment. There were 190 items on the list at that time, but now the number has been reduced to 27. Last year, China lifted all restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing and established a negative-list system for cross-border trade in services. And we have been taking systematic steps to further open important sectors like telecom, the Internet, education, culture and medical services. In terms of foreign trade, we don't seek trade surplus; we want to import more competitive quality products and services to promote balanced trade. China's overall tariff level has been cut to 7.3 percent, a fairly low level in the world, and we give all least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. We have taken the initiative to expand imports and held the China International Import Expo for seven years in a row. China has been the world's second-largest importer for many years now. In terms of business environment, we know issues like China's IPR (intellectual property rights) protection, equal participation in government procurement, cross-border data flow, access to factors of production, qualification approval and standard setting are of great interest to multinationals. In these areas, we are continuously improving relevant institutions and policies. These issues are important to both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises, and our attitude has been clear, that is, to provide equal and fair treatment for all of them. Take government procurement for example, according to relevant laws and regulations, all products made in China enjoy the right of equal participation in government procurement, whether their suppliers are domestic or foreign-invested enterprises. I know in reality, there might be cases where invisible barriers and hidden hurdles stand in the way of both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic ones. On the part of the Chinese government, we sincerely hope to work out these problems with parties concerned. China's door of opening up will not be closed and will only open even wider, and our business environment will only get better. We sincerely welcome more foreign enterprises to invest and do business in China, and achieve greater success in sharing China's opportunities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
China's Spring Festival is just around the corner. As the new year begins, everything takes on a new look. Let's start again from Davos, uphold the right path of multilateralism, promote open and inclusive development, and jointly usher in a better future.
To conclude, I wish the annual meeting a full success.
Thank you.
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