Globalization stance welcomed by Europe

By Fu Jing | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-03-13 15:15

Geoffrey Harris, a visiting professor at the College of Europe in Belgium. [Photo provided to China Daily]

China's national lawmakers and political advisers will discuss ways in which the nation can further engage in globalization, a key topic addressed by President Xi Jinping in his speech at the World Economic Forum meeting in Switzerland, said an academic in Europe.

"The clear messages coming from President Xi in support of globalization are certainly reassuring to Europeans concerned about the possible economic consequences of the America First policy announced by President Donald Trump," said Geoffrey Harris, a visiting professor at the College of Europe in Belgium.

President Xi visited the college in early 2014 and said China and the European Union should deepen their partnership on peace, reform, growth and civilization.

Harris expressed his views to China Daily as national lawmakers and political advisers gathering in Beijing for their annual two sessions to discuss the country's development roadmap.

He said globalization has sometimes been seen as Americanization under another name but he noted that, long before Trump arrived on the scene, challenges were emerging, most notably in Europe and Asia, where regions have been developing their own structures to enhance their trade interests.

"Developing countries also now want to be partners, rather than objects of others' commercial arrangements," said Harris, who was formerly deputy head of the European Parliament liaison office with the US Congress. "Growing inequality within and between all societies is leading to political uncertainty and potential conflict. China is profoundly affected by these global trends."

But he said many years of significant economic growth have given China the confidence it needs to advance its views about global trade and economic issues.

Harris said China now needs expanding export markets, even if it is also looking to enhance domestic demand and address concerns around slowing growth.

"The readiness of China to play an active role in saving globalization and making it work in all countries' interests comes at a time when the well-established structures appear rather shaky," said Harris.

But, he said, world leaders in the immediate future will need to find ways to reassure each other at a time when trading conflicts are becoming more numerous and against the backdrop of political distrust and intensifying competition for markets.

Harris said they "need to find ways to overcome widening ideological differences and bear in mind that each has an interest in the others' success."