FROM EIR DAILY ALERT
Xi Jinping Appeals to APEC on ‘Jointly Charting a Course Toward a Brighter Future’
Nov. 17, 2018 (EIRNS)—China’s President Xi Jinping addressed the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Papua New Guinea today, in a half-hour speech, titled “Jointly Charting a Course Toward a Brighter Future.” That and other APEC events were held aboard the Pacific Explorer in the harbor of Port Moresby, and Xi used marine references and metaphors to make his points. His main message was on international collaboration, saying, “As we brave the rough waters of the global economy and confront the many risks and challenges, it is all too befitting that we have come together on this ship to chart the course for future development and cooperation.”
He presented five main points, and in his conclusion he discussed the Belt and Road Initiative, saying that, “the BRI is an open platform for cooperation.” He defended the BRI, saying,
“It is not designed to serve any hidden geopolitical agenda. It is not targetted against anyone, and it does not exclude anyone. It is not an exclusive club that is closed to non-members, nor is it a ‘trap’ as some people have labeled it....”
This directly refutes the attacks on the BRI from the Wall Street/City of London axis, including by Vice President Mike Pence, who represented the U.S. at both the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Singapore and at the APEC summits.
He referred to rough times in the South Pacific in the past, as in World War II, and the fierce Battles of the Coral Sea and Guadalcanal. He stressed learning the lessons of history.
“An ancient Chinese philosopher observed that one needs to clean the mirror before taking a look at himself and that one should learn the lessons of the past before making decisions of the day.”
Xi’s five points, in brief:
First, create openness in foreign relations an “make space for development.”
Second, focus on spreading development to more people. “We should make the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a part of our national development strategies....”
Third, focus on inclusiveness. “We live on the same planet. It is home to more than 200 countries and regions, 2,500-plus ethnic groups and over 7 billion people.”
Fourth, “focus on innovation to tap new sources of growth.”
Fifth, “we should focus on a rules-based approach to improve global governance.... Disagreements should be resolved through consultation.”
On economic activity and trade, Xi reviewed China’s opening-up actions with specificity. Tariffs have been lowered on 1,449 consumer foods, and 1,585 industrial goods. Tariffs for autos are down to 13.8%, and for auto parts, down to 6%. “China’s overall tariff rates have been reduced to 7.5%.”
