|
China will stick to peace: Xi
Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 7 urged countries not to throw any region into chaos for selfish gains at Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), where he pledged that China will make contributions toward peace and common development in Asia and the world.
Chinese president Xi's speech at Boao draws positive comments
Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at a major regional forum in the south of China on April 7 has been widely reported by media across the world and captured experts' attention. |
Full text of Xi Jinping's speech at opening ceremony of Boao Forum
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013 on April 7 in Boao in South China's Hainan Province.
Xi’s remarks
●
China's market environment is fair and there is no finishing line to improve market economy.
●
China will never close its door to the outside world.
●
China's development benefits the rest of the world, including its neighbors.
●
China cannot develop itself in isolation from the rest of Asia and the world.
●
Peace, like air and sunshine, is hardly noticed when people are benefiting from it. But none of us can live without them.
●
No one should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gains.
●
Neighbors wish each other well, just as loved ones do to each other.
President Xi meets with Vincent C. Siew
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vincent C. Siew, honorary chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, at the Boao Forum in Hainan Province on April 8.
Xi Jinping hopes to:
●promote cross-Straits economic cooperation with the principle that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are family;
●reinforce high-level dialogues and economic coordination, and further advance economic cooperation;
●accelerate ECFA follow-up discussions and further institutionalize economic cooperation;
●work together to rejuvenate the Chinese nation.
Four principles proposed by Vincent C. Siew: consolidate mutual trust; develop ahead; promote real and concrete projects; and deepen cooperation.
Source: Agencies
Chinese media:
●Global Times
GT Editorial: Soft power with Chinese characteristics
The success of the Boao forum shows the amazing overall development China has achieved. China doesn't need to hurry to build its soft power. As long as China develops on the right path, soft power will be gained.
Asian countries can unite against protectionism through Boao Forum
All of us have the responsibility of maintaining regional peace and stability and easing regional tensions caused by traditional security threats, in order to create a favorable external environment for free trade among Asian countries. This is also the spiritual message of the BFA.
Appeal for shared growth not enough to bring Asian nations together
However, the BFA alone is not enough in achieving Asian common development. Cool-headed thinking and more actual work are needed.
●Xinhua
Zhao Lei, an international relations expert at the Party School of the Central Committee of CPC
Much like the rest of the world, China’s main concern is economic recovery. Developing businesses and providing a healthy environment for them to operate is not only beneficial for China’s economic growth, but also the world, which is why China is such a valued part of the global community.
●Phoenix TV
Qiu Zhenhai, Phoenix TV commentator
President Xi said that peace is like sunshine and air. Once we lose it, it might be hard to get back. However, not everyone has realized that. Despite how we cherish and believe in peace, if there are those that threaten it we should not have blind faith it will always be there, but protect it with force.
Considering the current situation in Asia, including Sino-Japanese relations and the Korean Peninsula, President Xi’s speech is not only admirable, but also nuanced. And of course, different sides will interpret Xi’s speech according to their situation and standpoint.
Foreign media:
●RT
When people hear ‘economic forum’ the first thing they probably think about is
Davos and snowy Alps. But that is set to change as China’s Boao hosts the largest and most representative economic summit in Asia.
The rapid rise of the so-called ‘Asian tigers’ has shifted the focus eastwards, when it comes to world economic development.
●Associated Press
It isn't clear whether Xi was taking a swipe at North Korea or at the United States, a frequent target of Chinese criticism, when he criticized unilateral acts that threaten stability.
●The Wall Street Journal
The ambiguity itself was an unusual step as Mr Xi's comments were worded in such a way that they could be construed as an admonition of China's belligerent neighbor. But he didn't directly name North Korea, or make any reference to the nuclear threat or diplomacy on the Korean peninsula.
●On innovation
BFA Secretary General Zhou Wenzhong
The financial crisis and sweeping European debt crisis have reflected the drawbacks of the development models of developed countries and also the potential risks of emerging economies' development models, which made innovation extremely important.
Wang Yizhou, deputy dean of the School of International relations at Peking University
Apart from courage and determination for innovation, all parties should also show sincerity in cooperation by avoiding trade protectionism.
●On peaceful development
Yang Bojiang, a researcher of Japanese studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Although China advocates neighbors wishing each other well just as loved ones do to each other, some countries are not showing clear political and strategic road maps, regardless of the interests of other countries, and they are bringing uncertainties to regional peace and stability.
Jia Qingguo, a professor of international relations at Peking University
In the face of mounting conflicts involving China or impacting regional stability, China, as a big power, should embark from a general situation and seek to maintain the stability and prosperity of Asia.
●On the Africa connection
Li Ruogu, chairman and president of the policy lender Export-Import Bank of China
China has done a lot for (the development of) Africa, which is obvious to all. It is totally different from what imperialistic countries did in the past, establishing colonies to exploit the African people. Western countries are not qualified to blame China for carrying out neo-colonialism.
●On COSCO losses
Wei Jiafu, chairman of Shanghai-listed China COSCO Holdings Co
The recent two years of losses of China COSCO Holdings Co have hurt the interests of shareholders, and I owe them an apology. I hope shareholders could hang in there for a while, because I have confidence that COSCO will turn losses into gains in the future.
●On coal bed methane
Zhang Guobao, director of the Committee of Experts with the National Energy Commission
Considering the current situation of our country, it is probably more economic to mine coal bed methane (CBM), rather than to exploit shale gas. The coal resources that China has are abundant, and have great potential. The CBM mining technology is easier (to use) and more mature, compared to that of shale gas.
Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference 2013
Time: April 6 – 8, 2013
Location: Boao, a coastal town in South China's Hainan Province
Theme: Asia Seeking Development for All: Restructuring, Responsibility and Cooperation
About Boao Forum for Asia
As a non-government, non-profit international organization, Boao Forum For Asia (BFA) is the most prestigious and premier forum for leaders in government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share visions on the most pressing issues in this dynamic region and the world at large. The Forum is committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries even closer to their development goals.
Initiated in 1998 by Fidel V. Ramos, former President of the Philippines, Bob Hawke, former Prime Minister of Australia, and Morihiro Hosokawa, former Prime Minister of Japan, Boao Forum for Asia was formally inaugurated in February 2001. Countries across the region have responded with strong support and great enthusiasm, and the world has listened attentively to the voice coming from a tiny, quiet and scenic island at the southernmost part of China – Boao, the permanent site of the Annual Conference of the Forum since 2002.
Source: boaoforum.org
Best strategy for nation's urbanization debated
More investment caution seen
G20 receives clean bill of health at Boao
Lack of innovation sapping prospects for private firms
Capital restraints still challenge China’s SMBs
Boao Forum for Asia 2012
China, UN presidents hold talks
Sub-forums on overseas M&A, monetary policy held at Boao Forum
Exclusive interview with Bill Gates during Boao Forum
President Xi Jinping meets Board of Directors of Boao Forum
Chinese president holds dialogue with entrepreneurs
Xi Jinping meets with world political leaders on sidelines of Boao Forum
Chinese president Xi's speech at Boao draws positive comments
Xi Jinping meets Australian prime minister
Roundtable discussion on structural reform of EU held during BFA
Xi Jinping poses for group photo with leaders of foreign countries and int'l organizations in Boao
Lin Yifu speaks on new structural economics in Boao
BFA Annual Conference 2013 kicks off
Boao Forum reaches new starting point: President Xi