Xi Jinping. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will be the engine driving future world economic growth while reaffirming China's commitment to pursue the common development that will make this growth possible.
In a keynote speech delivered at the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland on Jan. 18, Xi noted China has contributed to the world's development and vice versa. That common development will continue in the future.
"China's development has been possible because of the world, and China has contributed to the world's development," said Xi.
"We will continue to pursue a win-win strategy of opening-up, share our development opportunities with other countries and welcome them aboard the fast train of China's development."
Xi said China has provided foreign countries with over $58.4 billion in aid between 1950 and 2016. Since the outbreak of the international financial crisis in 2008 (also referred to as The Great Recession), China contributed over 30 percent of global growth each year on average.
Xi said that in the coming five years until 2022, China will import $8 trillion worth of goods; attract $600 billion in foreign investment; make $750 billion dollars in outbound investments, while Chinese tourists will make 700 million outbound visits.
"China remains unchanged in its commitment to foster partnerships," he said.
Xi pointed out that China has formed partnerships of various forms with over 90 countries and regional organizations, and will build a circle of friends across the world.
He said China will strive to build "a new model of major country relations with the United States;" a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination with Russia; partnership for peace, growth, reform and among different civilizations with Europe, and a partnership of unity and cooperation with BRICS countries.
China is also going to remain unchanged in its commitment to multilateralism.
He noted that China has grown from a poor and weak country to the world's second largest economy not by committing military expansion or colonial plunder, but through the hard work of its people and their efforts to uphold peace.
"China will never waver in its pursuit of peaceful development. No matter how strong its economy grows, China will never seek hegemony, expansion or sphere of influence. History has borne this out and will continue to do so."
