BEIJING, Feb. 19 (CGTN) – For many observers like me, this year's World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, or the Davos Forum, has evoked a sense of déjà vu, as it once again coincides with the inauguration of a new administration in the U.S.
Back in 2017, the forum opened amid a resurgence of protectionist and unilateralist sentiments in one of the world’s leading economies, and the world looked to China for reassurance. That year, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a historic speech at the forum, in which he expressed an unequivocal commitment to free trade, economic globalization and multilateralism, calling for more, not less, cooperation. This year, amid all the changes, China has again sent a message of reassurance as the world braces for a predictably more unpredictable administration in the U.S.
What has changed?
A lot has changed in the world over the last eight years. Geopolitical tensions have intensified and the number of casualties and people displaced due to conflicts has reached unprecedented levels. Emerging technologies are quickly reshaping our life. Climate change is worsening. Global cooperation continues to face significant setbacks, with trust eroded and division becoming more pronounced in the international landscape.
With the rise of developing countries and emerging markets, the global economic landscape has evolved dramatically. However, this shift has been accompanied by growing trade protectionism. Countries like China understand that pursuing protectionism is like locking oneself in a dark room that may keep wind and rain out, but also blocks light and air. Yet this simple logic seems to be lost on some countries. These nations impose higher tariffs and stricter foreign investment regulations to protect their domestic industries, which only result in greater uncertainties and disruptions in global trade and investment.
Moreover, rapid advances in frontier technologies like Artificial Intelligence have reshaped economic and social structures. While these innovations hold great potential for driving progress, they have also exacerbated geopolitical competition, with certain countries going to great lengths to stifle the technological advancement of others. This trend has widened the technology divide between developed and developing countries.
What remains unchanged?
Despite the many shifts, some things remain constant. The first is the call for globalization. There is no denying that globalization is a double-edged sword that can impact both developed and developing countries negatively. But this does not justify writing it off completely. Whether one approves of it or not, the global economy is like an ocean nobody can evade. This simple fact explains why support for globalization remains as robust as ever.
Economic globalization is an inherent requirement for advancing productive forces and an inevitable result of technological progress. Beyond that, its long-term appeal lies in its universally beneficial nature, allowing all participants to win. For example, between 1995 and 2022, the share of middle- and low-income countries in global exports increased from 16 percent to 32 percent. This growth did not come at the expense of developed countries; instead, it boosted growth rates and improved well-being worldwide.
On a related note, the need for international collaboration has also remained unchanged. In an era marked by geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty and rapid technological advancements, global cooperation is not just a choice but an imperative for progress. In today's interconnected world, a crisis in one region can quickly ripple across the world. Global challenges such as climate change and pandemics respect no border and no single country can deal with them alone. This is why we have the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization, though U.S.' withdrawal from these frameworks has once again cast a shadow over global collaborative efforts.
The theme of this year's annual meeting, "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," serves as a timely reminder that only by strengthening global solidarity and pooling global efforts can we overcome shared challenges and build a better future together. It is truly inspiring to see such an overwhelming chorus of voices advocating for collaboration at Davos.
Lastly and perhaps most importantly, China's commitment to opening up and global solidarity remains unchanged. At home, China has made consistent efforts to pursue high-quality development, with a focus on green and low-carbon transition. At the same time, China is more than ready to share development opportunities with the rest of the world.
For instance, China has lifted all restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing and offered zero-tariff treatment to all least-developed countries with diplomatic ties to China for 100 percent tariff lines. Following such an extensively beneficial approach, China's stable and sound economic development continues to inject strong and sustained impetus into global development.
"Cooperation in a divided world" was one of the key topics discussed at Davos 2025, which is particularly relevant at a time of heightened concerns about further division and economic disruption.
Yet, no matter how the international landscape may evolve, China has stood firmly on the side of cooperation rather than fragmentation. As a stabilizing force for the world economy, China deeply understands that the costs of division would be unimaginably high, especially in the face of global challenges. Only by upholding multilateralism and global solidarity can we gather formidable strengths to overcome difficulties and build a shared future for humanity.
Yi Xin is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
