China will build a “new model” of relations with the United States, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday in a speech that portrayed China as the leader of a globalised world where only international cooperation could solve the big problems.
Two days before the inauguration of Donald Trump who has promised to be a US president putting “America first,” Xi urged countries to resist isolationism.
“Trade protectionism and self-isolation will benefit no one,” Xi told an invited audience at the United Nations in Geneva.
“Big countries should treat smaller countries as equals instead of acting as a hegemon imposing their will on others.”
Xi called for the world to unite on everything from environmental protection to terrorism and nuclear disarmament, in contrast to Trump who has said he has an “open mind” on climate change and that the United States would win any nuclear arms race.
“We will build a circle of friends across the whole world,” Xi said.
“We will strive to build new model of major country relations with the United States, a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination with Russia, a partnership for peace, growth, reform and among different civilizations and a partnership of unity and cooperation with BRICS countries.”
While UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told Xi it was “very reassuring to see China assuming such a clear leadership in multilateralism in today’s world,” rights campaigners expressed concerns about China’s record.
“It is unfortunate that Chinese President Xi was given an obsequious red carpet treatment at the UN today while NGOs with concerns about his dismal rights record were kept out,” said Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch.
Western governments have accused China of widespread rights abuses and its smaller neighbours say it has expansionist ambitions in the South China Sea, things Beijing denies.
“We always put people’s rights and interests above everything else and we have worked hard to develop and uphold human rights,” Xi said. “China will never seek expansion, hegemony or sphere of influence.”
Xi’s speech was the finale of a trip that included topping the bill at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The United Nations – at risk of budget cuts from Trump – ensured the grandest possible welcome for Xi, and many UN staff went home early to clear the way for the red carpet.
Trump tweeted on December 26 that the United Nations “has such great potential but right now it is just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time. So sad!”
Well said. It’s rare to find people of your insight in the west now adays.
These words by Xi are spoken by a true leader with a vision of future peace and prosperity for all. Whilst militarily the US still holds all the trump cards, in the economic and political leadership stakes people nowadays are listening to Xi and Putin. Here in the West we are starting to notice just how controlled our media is and how public opinion is carefully managed to suit those in power. And as for human rights, what about Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians with full US support? Human rights and freedom of speech were once high ideals in the West, but those days are long gone.
China, unlike the USA, wants trading and economic development partners. China does not seek domination over its partners. On the other hand, USA wants "f**king partner" as the infamous Victoria Nuland puts it. USA wants partners that it can screw at will.
Xi Jinping and Putin are the true World leaders over the last three years and will continue to be the World leaders for many years to come. Anyone who has been following World politics knows it. Just watch the latest G20 summit at Hangzhou, China, and the APEC meeting in 2016 in Peru.
Anyone that knows Xi’s obsession with his vision of the New Silk Road could have written his speech. He is in fact helping Eurasian countries to improve their economies, but he does so to create trading partners with money so that China is the hegemon of more than half the world. Many of the countriers he is helping do not like the feeling of China taking over their country and for sure China is doing so while excluding the participation of the United States even to excvluding the dollar as part of the currency involved. China is doing what Trump wants to do. Create jobs, wealth for its citizens and power to assure it has no interference.