On November 25, Russia Daily published a signed article by Constantine Xie Ping, entitled "What appeals did China make during the" Summit Week "in Indonesia and Thailand". The article is excerpted as follows:
It is unacceptable that some major countries attempt to conquer the world weakened by the COVID-19 epidemic according to the principle of "divide and rule". The international community needs to work together to solve urgent problems, return to development and share the dividends of development. This is the main message China delivered at the "Summit Week" in November, the G20 and APEC meetings.
He delivered a speech at the informal APEC leaders' meeting, saying: "We should adhere to the common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, respect the development path and social system independently chosen by people of all countries, pay attention to the legitimate security concerns of all countries, and resolve differences and disputes among countries by peaceful means through dialogue and consultation."
His view was shared by Christina Georgieva, the president of the International Monetary Fund. The latter warned that the splitting of the world economy into multiple geopolitical blocs would result in an annual loss of 1.5% of the global economy, while the figure in Asia would even be as high as 3%.
China has also repeatedly stated that it will not engage in group politics in the region or the world.
At the meeting, Beijing officials pointed out that the politicization of international cooperation on the most urgent global issues must stop.
China pointed out the three pillars of post epidemic recovery and future development, which became an alternative to Western attempts to create "global turbulence". In the view of Chinese leaders, this plan should be more inclusive, sustainable and inclusive. To this end, Chinese leaders call on all countries to abandon protectionism and unilateral policies, strengthen the integration process and develop free trade.
As early as 2014, observers debated what should be built around the huge Asia Pacific Free Trade Area. The survey conducted by the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council on major political scientists and economists shows that 46% of the respondents advocate the establishment of the Asia Pacific Free Trade Area on the basis of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), and 42% support the idea of expanding the ASEAN China Economic Area.
Today, everything has changed. The TPP initiative of the United States has been hit hard. At present, the relevant mechanism is built without the participation of the United States. The ASEAN China Free Trade Area has proved its vitality: ASEAN has become China's largest trading partner since 2020, and China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. Today, this free trade zone has been incorporated into a broader free trade initiative - the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), which will come into force on January 1, 2022. It brings together the ten ASEAN countries, China, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Australia, accounting for one third of the global economy and international trade.
On November 9, in Bandung City, West Java Province, Indonesia, a high-speed train unit was conducting a hot slide test at the test section of Ya'an Wanzhou high-speed railway. (Xinhua News Agency)
It is increasingly clear that the initiative of Asia Pacific integration is being transferred to Asian countries, especially China. Beijing's comments give people reason to believe that China will continue to play the role of economic "connector" in the vast Asia and other regions. China may soon propose a new initiative of "connecting the world": the Chinese head of state said that next year, China will consider holding the third "the Belt and Road" International Cooperation Summit Forum, "to inject new impetus into the development and prosperity of the Asia Pacific and the world".
