Foreign news

What Xi Jinping’s CIIE Speech Means For The World

Published

5 years ago

November 8, 2020

Editor’s note: Keith Lamb is a University of Oxford graduate with an MSc degree in Contemporary Chinese Studies. His primary research interests are international relations of China and China’s “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.” The article reflects the author’s opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The third China International Import Expo (CIIE) kicked off on November 5 in Shanghai. Despite COVID-19, thousands of companies from across the world, including many on the Fortune 500 list, have turned up to show their products to the ever-burgeoning China market.

As with many international gatherings hosted by China, the scale of CIIE is colossal and a statement of China’s commitment to supporting foreign business. While many economies are still mired in dealing with COVID-19, the CIIE sends a strong signal to the world that China will not shut its doors.

The importance of CIIE and international trade to China cannot be underestimated. This was evidenced by President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at its opening ceremony.

Speeches given by China’s leaders are carefully thought through and carry a lot of significance for ascertaining China’s future plans. The fact that many of these speeches are later published in hard print, in a number of languages, shows just how important they are for China’s governing system. They are read by members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) so that they can grasp the spirit of China’s plans, coordinate China’s governing strategy and implementation of policy.

With the Chinese market set to grow even bigger over the coming years, it becomes more important than ever that the rest of the world takes note of these speeches. By doing so, the world, especially the West, is able to understand China, and the CPC, beyond the often-distorted picture disseminated by Western mass media. Furthermore, the world is able to grasp China’s future trajectory, make appropriate plans for their own development strategy, vis-à-vis China, and hold China to its word.

The good news for the world, as evidenced in Xi’s speech is, that China will continue to open up its markets to all. Already, the number of pilot free trade zones has increased from 18 to 21 and quality free trade agreements continue to be sought.

The items on the national negative list for foreign investment, which have already been cut from 40 to 33, will continue to decrease. In China, a negative list describes restricted or prohibited activities. China has two of these lists for foreign investment and market access. Any business areas not listed are considered to be open to foreign companies.

China aims to deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation through concluding free trade agreements with more countries around the world. Free trade zones, like the Hainan free trade port will continue to spearhead China’s opening up. China also aims to encourage greater foreign investment through greater liberalization and spur on technological development through greater protection of intellectual property rights.

Xi said: “China will shorten its catalog of technologies prohibited or restricted from import to create a favorable environment for the free flow of technologies across borders.”

While some have tried to portray China’s dual circulation strategy as China turning its back to the world, in fact China seeks to work for greater globalization albeit one that works democratically for all.

When noting how COVID-19 is a global problem, Xi underscored in his speech the common destiny of mankind, saying, “Bearing in mind the common interests that bind us all, countries need to work together to make economic globalization more open, inclusive and balanced for the benefits of all.”

Xi is determined that domestic circulation will not be a closed loop. On the contrary, the very development of China’s 1.4 billion people will offer a promising market to the world. He noted that the total import into China is estimated to surpass $22 trillion in the next decade.

For those who fear that China will follow a similar economic hegemonic path to the U.S. and other large powers that came before it, Xi’s sentiment reflects the broader feelings of the Chinese people. Using a historical lens to examine the world, they see that powers that sought global hegemony always failed in the long run.

On cooperation, Xi said: “It is ill-advised to pursue unilateral dominance, or choose to hurt others’ interests, which diminishes one’s own interests… It is by working together that we will advance common development of our world.”

For the purpose of common development, China aims to remain a faithful partner of the global multilateral trading system, of the World Trade Organization, characterized by “extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.”

China has made its position on trade clear. It desires a multilateral trading order where its consumers enjoy greater access to foreign goods. This will lead to more non-Chinese companies profiting from the Chinese market.

While certain sectors of the Western elites try to restart a cold war against China, a “socialist nemesis,” we must keep in mind that some have grown out of the paradigm where trade, capital and markets are a fundamental contradiction to socialism. Judging by China’s upcoming 14th Five-Year Plan, markets, capital and trade are actually essential for China’s journey towards “fully building a modern socialist country.”

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Financing Health Futures: Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda Turn to Tobacco and Telecom Taxes in Big Push Against Malaria

Published

1 month ago

September 28, 2025

The Gleamer

African leaders, parliamentarians, health experts, and development partners have renewed their commitment to ending malaria by 2030, with a bold call for domestic financing through innovative taxation on tobacco, alcohol, and telecom services to close critical funding gaps.

The discussions took center stage at the Big Push Against Malaria: Harnessing Africa’s Role high-level political engagement in Abuja, where Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda showcased new homegrown financing strategies aimed at reducing dependence on dwindling donor support.

Africa’s Heavy Burden

Malaria remains one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. In 2023, the world recorded 263 million cases and nearly 600,000 deaths, with 94% of cases and 95% of deaths occurring in Africa. Nigeria alone accounted for 26.6% of global cases and 31% of deaths, according to the World Malaria Report 2024. Children under five remain the most vulnerable, making up 76% of deaths.

Despite progress — with Nigeria cutting malaria deaths by more than half since 2000 through insecticide-treated nets, preventive treatments, and the rollout of the new R21 malaria vaccine — leaders warned that global targets are off-track. The World Health Organization’s technical strategy for malaria (2016–2030) has stalled since 2017, with Africa unlikely to meet its 2025 and 2030 milestones without urgent action.

Taxing for Health Futures

The Nigerian Parliament’s Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM) announced plans to fund malaria elimination through “sin taxes” and telecom levies.

According to the House Chair on ATM, Hon. Linda Ogar, a bill is underway to restructure the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) into a multi-disease agency that will address HIV, TB, and malaria.

The new financing mechanism proposes:

Taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and other luxury items

Dedicated levies on telecom airtime and mobile money transactions

A percentage of the nation’s consolidated revenue

“These resources will provide sustainable funding to strengthen health systems and accelerate malaria elimination,” Ogar said, stressing that Africa must stop relying solely on foreign donors. “We cannot continue to take two steps forward and five steps backward. Africa must begin to show the world that we are ready to solve our problems ourselves.”

Similar models are already being piloted in Ghana and Uganda, where levies on mobile money and telecoms are being redirected to finance health interventions. The Abuja meeting urged other African countries to adopt this approach as part of a continental framework for sustainable financing.

Leaders Call for Urgent Action

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, emphasized that while malaria is preventable and treatable, it still kills hundreds of thousands yearly due to funding shortfalls, climate change, insecticide resistance, and humanitarian crises.

“To truly defeat this disease, we must rethink, join forces, and mount a concerted ‘Big Push’. Funding gaps remain a major obstacle, and innovative domestic financing is the way forward,” Salako declared.

From the civil society front, grassroots representatives pledged to act as “foot soldiers”, demanding that communities have a seat at the decision-making table. The World Health Organization, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, and other partners reaffirmed support but stressed the need for stronger political will and local ownership.

Private Sector and Global Support

Representing billionaire philanthropist Aliko Dangote, the Nigeria Malaria Council reiterated that private sector investment must complement government financing. Meanwhile, the Global Fund confirmed it has invested nearly $2 billion in Nigeria’s malaria response and committed an additional $500 million for 2024–2026, including support for local production of malaria drugs.

The Gates Foundation’s Uche Anaowu noted that while progress has slowed, malaria remains beatable:

“Smallpox is the only human disease ever eradicated. The question is — can malaria be next? I believe Africa has both the burden and the opportunity to lead the world in making that happen.”

Financing Health Futures: Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda Turn to Tobacco and Telecom Taxes in Big Push Against Malaria

Abuja, Nigeria – African leaders, parliamentarians, health experts, and development partners have renewed their commitment to ending malaria by 2030, with a bold call for domestic financing through innovative taxation on tobacco, alcohol, and telecom services to close critical funding gaps.

Africa’s Heavy Burden

Taxing for Health Futures

The Nigerian Parliament’s Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM) announced plans to fund malaria elimination through “sin taxes” and telecom levies.

The new financing mechanism proposes:

Taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and other luxury items

Dedicated levies on telecom airtime and mobile money transactions

A percentage of the nation’s consolidated revenue

Leaders Call for Urgent Action

Private Sector and Global Support

The Gates Foundation’s Uche Anaowu noted that while progress has slowed, malaria remains beatable:

“Smallpox is the only human disease ever eradicated. The question is — can malaria be next? I believe Africa has both the burden and the opportunity to lead the world in making that happen.”

The Big Push: From Talk to Action

Speakers acknowledged that Africa has hosted too many malaria meetings without concrete outcomes. This time, however, leaders insisted the Abuja gathering must mark a turning point — from dependency to self-reliance.

With Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda setting the pace on tax-based health financing, the continent now faces the challenge of replicating and scaling up these models.

“Now that Africa is at a critical point, the need for a Big Push against malaria cannot be overemphasized. If we align political will, innovative financing, and community engagement, we can end malaria within our lifetime.”

Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda are pioneering a shift from donor dependence to domestic revenue mobilization via tobacco, alcohol, and telecom taxes — a model hailed as central to financing Africa’s health futures and ending malaria by 2030
Speakers acknowledged that Africa has hosted too many malaria meetings without concrete outcomes. This time, however, leaders insisted the Abuja gathering must mark a turning point — from dependency to self-reliance.

With Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda setting the pace on tax-based health financing, the continent now faces the challenge of replicating and scaling up these models.

“Now that Africa is at a critical point, the need for a Big Push against malaria cannot be overemphasized. If we align political will, innovative financing, and community engagement, we can end malaria within our lifetime.”

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