By Qamar Bashir
My finger, amidst the frantic scrolling on YouTube, paused on a video featuring President Xi Jinping addressing a welcome dinner held in his honor by Friendly Organizations in the United States on November 17, 2023. I opted to listen in, curious about the thoughts behind his calm and composed demeanor, even in the face of the colossal looming crisis on national, regional, and international scales.
I’ve long wondered about the genesis of the One Belt and Road concept and the philosophical underpinnings guiding his approach toward the United States. How does he navigate Chin’s role on the global stage? Are there expansionist designs at play behind China’s extensive investments in roads, railways, ports, and renewable energy systems? Is he characterized by humility, aggression, a people-centric approach, or a more authoritarian stance?
I’ve tirelessly sought answers to these questions from various news sources and perspectives, yet the complete portrait of President Xi Jinpin’s mindset eluded me.
It wasn’t until I watched and absorbed his entire speech at the event in San
Francisco that the pieces started to come together.
In his speech, President Xi Jinping exuded humility and a grounded demeanor,
devoid of any hint of arrogance, indecency, dominance, or aggressive posturing.
He eloquently distanced himself and China from any confrontational stance toward
the USA or any other nation. He unequivocally stated that in their pursuit of
modernization, neither he nor China would resort to historical patterns of war,
colonization, exploitation, or coercion.
In a stark departure from the perceived arrogance and inflexibility of counterparts
like Mr. Joe Biden of the USA, President Xi passionately affirmed that under his
leadership, China is dedicated to, and will persist in, the pursuit of peaceful
development, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation, and striving for common
prosperity.
His impactful speech steered clear of the complex US-China relationship's thorns,
opting not to highlight differences or conflicts. Instead, it anchored deeply in
shared goals and prosperity, painting a picture of a win-win scenario where neither
side emerges as a victor or loser. President Xi emphasized a collective pursuit of
shared objectives and dreams, aiming to enhance the happiness and prosperity of
both nations' populations.
To underscore the depth of connection, he highlighted the profound economic
interdependence: the staggering USD 760 billion in annual bilateral trade and over
USD 260 billion in two-way investments. Additionally, he mentioned the extensive
network of 284 pairs of sister provinces/states and sister cities, along with the
remarkable statistics of over 300 scheduled flights per week and more than five
million travelers yearly during peak times. These extraordinary achievements,
President Xi emphasized, were a collaborative effort between both nations,
representing nearly a quarter of the global population.
During his deep reflection on the history of Sino-US relations, President Xi Jinping
highlighted the foundational role played by the people of both nations. He
recounted a pivotal moment during World War II when both countries stood
shoulder to shoulder for peace and justice. The US Flying Tigers, led by General
Claire Lee Chennault, fought alongside their Chinese counterparts against Japanese
aggressors. Their joint efforts included the establishment of "The Hump" airlift, a
critical supply route to China, where more than 1,000 Chinese and American
airmen lost their lives.
In a stark departure from the usual rhetoric, President Xi Jinping humbly refrained
from positioning China on equal footing with the USA during his speech. Instead,
he modestly referred to China as a developing country while acknowledging the
USA as the largest developed nation. He expressed hope that amidst a world of
constant change and turmoil, both nations would navigate their relationship
adeptly. President Xi emphasized the importance of their roles in fostering
connections, enhancing people-to-people interactions, dismantling barriers, and
fostering trade and commerce to ensure mutual prosperity for the citizens of both
great nations.
With enthusiasm, he announced collaborative measures agreed upon with his US
counterpart to facilitate travel and promote people-to-people exchanges. These
measures included plans to increase direct passenger flights, conduct high-level
dialogues on tourism, and streamline visa application procedures. This
commitment aimed to strengthen the bond between the two countries, fostering
greater understanding and collaboration for the benefit of both populations.
In a demonstration of empathy, he announced the establishment of a working
group on counternarcotics to further deepen cooperation, particularly in addressing
drug abuse in the United States. Additionally, President Xi committed to hosting
over 50,000 young Americans in exchange and study programs in China over the
next five years, fostering greater cross-cultural understanding.
In a gesture of goodwill, he offered to repatriate two pandas which arrived in China
after their mandatory stay in the USA, back to the USA, a move that resonated
deeply with the people of San Francisco, showcasing the spirit of goodwill and
diplomatic gestures between the two nations.
President Xi Jinping firmly rejected the idea of China posing a threat and
advocated against a zero-sum mindset. He emphasized China's stance: not betting
against any country, avoiding interference in internal affairs, and harboring no
intentions to challenge or supplant the U.S. or any other country. Instead,
Likewise, he urged the other countries to refrain from betting against China or
meddling in its internal matters, fostering a welcoming environment for a peaceful,
stable, and prosperous China
To my surprise, with remarkable humility, President Xi expressed that China
doesn't possess, require, nor intend to create its own exclusive set of rules for
international engagements. Instead, China remains steadfast in upholding the
international system with the United Nations at its core, maintaining the
international order rooted in international law, and adhering to the fundamental
norms governing international relations based on the principles outlined in the
U.N. Charter.
President Xi Jinping's response during his speech addressed a crucial question:
whether he's a dictator. He rooted his reply in history, emphasizing that China's
path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is guided by the theory of scientific
socialism and deeply entrenched in the 5,000-year-old tradition of Chinese
civilization. He stressed that this path reflects the choices of the Chinese people,
grounded in universal human values.
In alignment with this broad approach to global development, he emphasized the
promotion of dialogue and cooperation across various sectors and expanding the
scope of collaboration to encompass diplomacy, trade and economy, people-to-
people exchanges, education, science and technology, agriculture, military, law
enforcement, and artificial intelligence. President Xi emphasized the intention to
broaden the cooperation spectrum and enlarge the opportunities for collaboration
with all countries of the world.
President Xi Jinping firmly declared China's dedication to dialogue over
confrontation and emphasized the building of partnerships rather than forming
alliances. China will persist in its mutually beneficial approach to opening up and
stressed that their pursuit of modernization isn't solely for their own benefit; it's a
global endeavor. President Xi expressed China's readiness to collaborate with all
nations to advance global modernization efforts.
President Xi Jinping's response to the multifaceted question about China's vast
investments in initiatives like the Belt and Road, Global Development, Global
Security, and Global Civilization was incredibly inclusive. He expressed China's
openness to engagement with all countries, including the United States, and a
willingness to participate in U.S.-proposed multilateral cooperation initiatives.
President Xi Jinping, with humility and determination, outlined China's ambitious
vision for modernization, acknowledging the immense challenge of uplifting a
staggering population of 1.4 billion. He emphasized China's dual identity as both a
massive economy and market, presenting the nation's modernization as a
substantial global opportunity.
Highlighting the success of China's socialism, he underscored the historic
achievement of lifting over 900 million people out of poverty. This milestone,
achieved through relentless state-wide efforts and aligning with the millennia-old
dream of Chinese prosperity for all, led to meeting the U.N. 2030 Agenda's poverty
reduction goal a decade ahead of schedule. President Xi pledged to sustain this
momentum, focusing on high-quality development to ensure the benefits of
modernization reach every corner of China.
President Xi Jinping articulated a people-centered vision for China's development,
emphasizing economic strength, improved living standards, cultural enrichment,
and holistic personal development. He championed the Global Civilization
Initiative to address the balance between material and cultural progress, advocating
for global human civilization advancement.
Committing to sustainable development, China prioritizes environmental
conservation, boasting significant achievements in renewable energy, afforestation,
and emissions reduction. Pledging carbon neutrality by 2060, China aims to peak
carbon dioxide emissions before 2030.
President Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to peaceful development, rooted in its
cultural values, rejecting aggression and expansion. He emphasized the Chinese
people's desire for stability and enduring world peace, crucial for China's
rejuvenation.
Internationally, President Xi's approach, echoed by global observers, is admired for
his statesmanship and vision. China's efforts extend beyond its borders, assisting
developing nations with tangible infrastructure, technological support, and
knowledge transfer for accelerated development. This approach starkly contrasts
with perceived unilateralism and power politics, aligning with universal principles
of peaceful coexistence outlined in the UN Charter. Xi's philosophy emphasizes
that successful endeavors must originate from, derive strength from, and be achieved by the people.
