Foreign news

Xi Jinping Delivers Speech At WEF Davos Agenda 2021 Via Video Link

Published

4 years ago

January 26, 2021

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the Davos Agenda 2021 of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Monday via video link from Beijing.

Here are some highlights of Xi’s speech:

‘Winter cannot stop the arrival of spring’

Xi stressed that there is no doubt that humanity will prevail over the coronavirus and emerge even stronger from this disaster.

“The pandemic is far from over. The recent resurgence in COVID-19 cases reminds us that we must carry on the fight,” Xi said.

“Yet we remain convinced that winter cannot stop the arrival of spring and darkness can never shroud the light of dawn,” he said.

“Containing the coronavirus is the most pressing task for the international community,” Xi said in his speech.

It is important to scale up cooperation in vaccine development, production and distribution, and make it truly accessible and affordable to people across the world, he stressed.

Arrogance, prejudice and hatred ring alarm’

“Difference in itself is no cause for alarm,” Xi said. “What does ring the alarm is arrogance, prejudice and hatred.”

He warned against the attempt to impose a hierarchy on human civilization or to force one’s own history, culture and social system upon others.

“The right choice is for countries to pursue peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect and on expanding common ground while shelving differences, and to promote exchanges and mutual learning. This is the way to add impetus to the progress of human civilization,” Xi said.

‘Small circles,’ ‘new Cold War’ only lead to division, confrontation

To build small circles or start a new Cold War will only push the world into division and even confrontation, Xi warned.

He also warned against rejecting, threatening or intimidating others, willfully imposing decoupling, supply disruption or sanctions, as well as creating isolation or estrangement.

Safeguarding legitimate development interests of developing countries

The international community should keep its eye on the long run, honor its commitment and provide the necessary support to developing countries and safeguard their legitimate development interests, Xi stressed in his speech.

Equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules should be strengthened so that all countries will benefit from the opportunities and fruits of development, Xi said.

Sci-tech innovation a key engine for human progress

“Scientific and technological innovation is a key engine for human progress, a powerful weapon in tackling many global challenges, and the only way for China to foster a new development paradigm and achieve high-quality development,” Xi said.

China will think and act with more openness with regards to international exchanges and cooperation on science and technology, join hands with all countries to create an open, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for science and technology that is beneficial to all and shared by all, he pledged.

Click here for the live coverage of this event.

(With input from Xinhua)

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Foreign news

EU Cautiously optimistic on Syria engagement – Official

Published

6 days ago

January 28, 2025

The Gleamer

Irish foreign minister Simon Harris said on Monday that the European Union (EU) “is cautiously optimistic on Syria engagement” but called for more deeper engagement to strengthen relations with the country.

Harris said this at a news conference held at the EU Headquarters in Brussels, the Belgian capital.
“It’s early days, but I think there are signs of optimism. But it is important that we continue to engage.

“I don’t think it would be a good scenario if any other geopolitical actors and forces engage with Syria and for the European Union not to be in a position to intensively engage with them,“ he said.

In her remarks, Ms. Kaja Kallas, the Vice-President of the EU described Syria’s future as fragile but said that the bloc needed to take the right steps.
“But of course, we need to see the right steps as well. Right now, they’re saying all the right words, and they are doing also the right things.

“Therefore, we have this set step-for-step approach, and if they take the steps, then we are willing to take the steps as well,’’ she said.

On the war in Gaza, Harris said President Donald Trump and his team are very much a party to the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas after the intensive work that was put in.

He conceded that the Trump administration put in a lot of effort to arrive at a ceasefire agreement in the days before his assumption of office for a return to the White House.

“I think that was important and there is no doubt that the intensive work invested by the Trump administration played a very significant role in helping to bring about a ceasefire – a ceasefire that has now seen a cessation of hostilities, the killing, and the bombings.

“Also, that has seen the flow and has seen hostages being released. It’s really important that the ceasefire is in place.

“It is also important, though, to acknowledge in that ceasefire agreement itself, it does talk about people being able to return, and therefore, I think it’s important that we’re consistent in the approach that we take.

“The priority, I think, needs to be on implementing to the letter, the ceasefire agreement.”

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