Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a fairer world order in the face of the West’s unilateralism, warning hegemonic countries against “bossing others around.”
According to reports, speaking at the annual Boao Forum for Asia on Tuesday, Xi said that “the future destiny of the world should be decided by all countries.”
“One or a few countries shouldn’t impose their rules on others, and the world shouldn’t be led on by the unilateralism of a few countries,” Xi said.
Without singling out the US, the Chinese president warned against building barriers that are against market principles.
“Attempts to erect walls or decouple run counter to the law of economics and market principles. They would hurt others’ interests without benefiting oneself,” Xi stated, in a veiled reference to Washington’s efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains and curb export of products such as advanced computer chips to China.
“What we need in today’s world is justice, not hegemony… Bossing others around or meddling in others’ internal affairs will not get one any support,” Xi said, while giving assurances that China will never engage in an arms race.
“A big country should look like a big country by showing that it is shouldering more responsibility,” he added.
China has repeatedly criticized US hegemony and its projection of power in trade and geopolitics.
China and the US have been engaged in an intense trade war, started under the Donald Trump administration.
Beijing hoped for an improvement in relations under President Joe Biden’s administration. But the new president has so far shown no sign of backing down on blind policies toward Beijing.
