Davos 2022: Taking the Pulse of Global Governance (Global Hotspot)

Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition

Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition

From January 17 to 21, the 2022 World Economic Forum (also known as the Davos Forum) video conference was held. Under the background of the repeated delays of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the world economy's troubles and new worries, the "world situation" has become the theme of this year's conference. Heads of State, Heads of Government, Business Leaders and Leaders of International and Social Organizations gathered in the clouds to discuss the general trend of the world and find consensus and solutions for reviving the world economy and addressing global challenges.

How to defeat the epidemic? How to build the post-pandemic world? Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the video conference in Beijing and delivered a speech, giving China's answers to major issues of common concern to all countries in the world - "working together to defeat the epidemic", "defusing various risks and promoting the stable recovery of the world economy", "crossing the development gap and reinvigorating the global development cause", "abandoning the Cold War mentality and achieving peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit and win-win results". China's voice resounded through the Davos Forum, once again clearing the fog for a world at a crossroads.

crisis

Another year of "Davos time". At this moment, the world under the cloud of the epidemic is still in crisis.

On January 17, local time, UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out at the World Economic Forum video conference that due to the new crown pneumonia epidemic, supply chain, inflation and other factors, the global economic recovery is slowing down sharply, threatening the UN 2030 Agenda and sustainable development. He also noted that he is still far from the goal set by WHO to complete COVID-19 vaccination for 40% of the world's population by the end of 2021 and 70% of the global population by mid-2022.

The World Economic Forum is known as the "world economic weather vane". According to Deutsche Welle, the World Economic Forum press release shows that the 2022 video conference mainly focuses on 10 topics such as the epidemic, the fourth industrial revolution, energy transition, climate change, sustainable development and global economic prospects. Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, said, "From climate change to rebuilding trust and social cohesion, there are many serious global challenges waiting to be addressed. ”

Zhang Pengyang, associate professor of the School of Economics and Management of Beijing University of Technology, pointed out to this reporter that for a period of time, the world economic recovery has been weak, and global governance has faced severe challenges: First, the epidemic has repeatedly impacted the global supply chain, causing rising prices of raw materials, energy, and grain, and key components and labor shortages; second, under the influence of the epidemic, countries have implemented loose stimulus monetary policies to aggravate global inflation risks; third, some Western countries advocate protectionism, unilateralism and even exclusivism, and fight to maintain" Under the guise of "national security", scientific and technological blockades and sanctions have delayed global economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation; fourth, the balance and sustainable development of society and the natural environment are facing challenges. For example, the epidemic has impacted global poverty reduction results, the gap between rich and poor in society has intensified, and there are differences and difficulties in climate governance. "The holding of the 2022 Davos Forum video conference in the midst of multiple challenges and crises has certain positive significance for taking the pulse of the world economy and exploring the path of global governance."

The World Economic Forum recently released the "2022 Global Risk Report", pointing out that in addition to the covid-19 epidemic that is still raging, the main risks facing the world in 2022 include weak climate action, widening social divides, increased cyber risks and imbalances in the global recovery.

Chen Fengying, a researcher at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, pointed out in an interview with this reporter that the risk report released by the World Economic Forum reflects the reality of the situation. In 2022, the major problems facing mankind can be summarized into two aspects: anti-epidemic and development. "On the one hand, the epidemic is the biggest challenge facing human society at present, and its negative impact is not local and phased, but global and long-term. The widening 'vaccine divide' has become a major trigger for global imbalances in development. On the other hand, since the outbreak of the epidemic, from an unprecedented health crisis to a global economic recession, from the slowdown in economic growth and the rise of tail risks in most emerging market countries, to the widening of the "development gap" between the north and the south and the tension in international relations, mankind is facing an unprecedented development crisis. ”

wish

In the face of heavy fog, the world calls for positive energy to see the sun.

Following 2017 and 2021, President Xi Jinping once again delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum, using China's wisdom and vision to illuminate the way forward for the world in the midst of century-long changes. Schwab spoke highly of the milestone significance of President Xi Jinping's speech in promoting international cooperation, and he showed us how China and the world can move towards a better future in the coming years.

"From the 'battle of existence and waste' of globalization to the 'debate of truth and falsity' of multilateralism, to the discussion in 2022 on how to open up the right way for a better world in the post-epidemic era, China has demonstrated on the stage of Davos with firm will and great power responsibility to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind." Bai Ming, deputy director of the International Market Research Institute of the Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce, pointed out in an interview with this reporter that the key word in analyzing the "Voice of China" at the 2022 Davos Forum is undoubtedly "cooperation". China calls on the international community to work together for mutual benefit and win-win results in defeating the epidemic, promoting recovery, reinvigorating development and peaceful coexistence, which indicates the true future of economic globalization. In the face of global challenges, countries around the world living in the same global village need to "make up the platform" instead of "dismantling the platform", and need "everyone to collect firewood and the flame is high" instead of "someone cooks rice, someone smashes the pot".

Foreign media noted that on the opening day of the 2022 World Economic Forum video conference, China's National Bureau of Statistics released the 2021 "economic report card": China's gross domestic product (GDP) for the whole year of 2021 was 1143670 billion yuan, an increase of 8.1% over the previous year. German news television exclaimed, "China's economy is still the engine of the global economy!" ”

"Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China's role as a 'stabilizer' for world peace and development has been further highlighted." Chen Fengying pointed out that China summed up its own experience and pointed out the direction for the international community to get rid of the current predicament around the two major problems of anti-epidemic and development, which has a strong practical pertinence. "Countries are not in more than 190 small boats, but in a big boat with a shared destiny. This vivid metaphor reveals the true meaning of the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. In the post-epidemic era, whether it is to promote the fair distribution of vaccines, bridge the 'vaccine gap', or solve development problems and promote openness and integration, all countries need to respect each other, work together in the same boat, and cooperate for win-win results, which is the greatest common denominator of human society. ”

According to Sebastian Bucoop, Director of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda, "China's leading role in meeting any challenge is indispensable, and China has indeed played this important role." Martin Jacques, a well-known British scholar, said, "China has practiced the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind with practical actions, which is reflected in the 'Belt and Road' cooperation, and also in China's anti-epidemic support to other countries." ”

"The Chinese voice at the Davos Forum enlightened the world: unity and cooperation advance, mutual restraint is retreat; openness and integration are advanced, isolation and decoupling are retreated; balanced development is advanced, development differentiation is retreated; win-win cooperation is advanced, and neighbors are retreated." Zhang Pengyang pointed out that China's plan provides a good recipe for global development and progress. At the same time, as a practitioner of relevant initiatives, China has made substantial contributions to global economic recovery and sustainable development.

way out

At the crossroads of history, where should human society go? Inside and outside the Davos venue, the world is thinking.

Schwab said that the 2022 World Economic Forum video conference will be the starting point for strengthening dialogue and promoting global cooperation in 2022. Leaders need to adopt a new model, focus on long-term development, renew cooperation and take systematic action.

Bai Ming pointed out that first, unity against the epidemic is still a top priority. It is wise for countries to avoid "throwing the pot" and continue to promote the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries. Second, it is necessary to strengthen the coordination of macroeconomic policies, and neither can we "flood irrigation" to cause inflation, nor can we "suddenly heat and cold" undermine the normal flow and stability of international capital. Third, we must jointly maintain the stability of the global industrial chain supply chain, oppose the "beggar-thy-neighbor" mentality to arbitrarily impose tariffs and provoke trade wars, and resolve trade disputes through equal dialogue.

"The inequalities and injustices that continue to exist cannot be replicated, which have led tens of millions of people to live poor and unhealthy lives. Hopefully, 2022 will be a real moment of recovery. Guterres said that if there is no immediate action to support developing countries, inequality and poverty will deepen, leading to more social unrest and more violence, and the world should treat the epidemic fairly and justly, reform the financial system, and support the active participation of developing countries in climate action. Guterres reiterated his call for vaccine fairness, urging countries and manufacturers to prioritize the supply of COVID-19 vaccines to the UN Vaccine Programme, supporting the detection of viruses and the local production of vaccines and treatments around the world, and encouraging pharmaceutical companies to share production licenses, patents and technologies with countries to bring the world out of the pandemic as soon as possible.

Brazilian economist Ronnie Lins said that as globalization progresses and interconnected countries become more and more interconnected, countries must work together to discuss economic, health, environmental and other issues to address major global challenges.

Volker Czapke, honorary president of the Prussian Association of Berlin, Germany, pointed out that peace and development are the themes of the times, and all countries should adhere to the people-centered development concept, safeguard multilateralism, promote mutual benefit and win-win results, and strengthen dialogue between different countries and regions. China's Belt and Road Initiative has set an example of common development among different countries and civilizations in mutual respect and win-win cooperation while seeking common ground while reserving differences.

Joseph Matthews, senior professor of Berthay International University in Cambodia, believes that adhering to multilateralism and building an open world economy is the key to maintaining world peace, achieving economic recovery and common development in the post-epidemic era, and engaging in unilateralism, protectionism, hegemonism and zero-sum games will only harm others and harm themselves. All countries should coexist peacefully and cooperate for win-win results, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

"The lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have not been encountered in a century, are profound. With the emergence of global crises, what will happen next? This is a very real problem. Chen Fengying pointed out that in the face of common challenges, all mankind should seek common ground while reserving differences, carry out pragmatic cooperation, and seek common development. (Reporter Li Jiabao)

People's Daily Overseas Edition ( 2022-01-20 06 edition)