Hamburg G20 summit different from previous ones

By George N. Tzogopoulos
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, July 8, 2017
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Chinese President Xi Jinping will next represent his country at the G20 summit in Hamburg. [File photo]



Following his visit in Moscow and Berlin, Chinese President Xi Jinping will next represent his country at the G20 summit in Hamburg.

Only a few months ago, China hosted the previous G20 meeting in Hangzhou. In spite of this success, much has changed since last September in world affairs. In particular, the first months of the administration of Donald Trump raise doubts on the future American role in international relations amid continued disengagement from previous commitments and policies.

The new U.S. president continues to be unpredictable. Although he decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change and buried Barack Obama’s plan for the establishment of a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in the Asia-Pacific region, his strategy on other issues rather reflects continuity, especially towards China.

This said, his first attendance of a G20 summit provides a good opportunity for all participants to better understand Trump during various formal and informal talks.

Many American and most Western media criticize Trump for his selective unilateralism. They believe that this approach will make the U.S. weaker at the world level despite his election pledged to “make America strong again.”

His international image is also becoming ragged at the edges. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey spanning 37 nations, only 22 percent expressed confidence in Trump to do the right thing internationally. This stands in contrast to the final years of the previous Obama presidency, when the median confidence level was 64 percent in regard to his ability to direct America’s role in the world.

Subsequently, several observers have expressed a belief that Trump is making an unprecedented present to the Chinese administration, which could be translated into an almost open invitation for it to lead in the fields of globalization and trade.

There are some elements of truth in this position. Nevertheless, China is acting very carefully and does not cultivate illusions that such a cataclysmic change might happen in a period of only a few months. More time is required until Trump’s ultimate intentions can become straightforward and the landscape clearer.

In the meantime, China is certainly defending the process of globalization. A beginning was made with the highly symbolical speech of President Xi at the Davos World Economic Forum last January. This keynote address almost outlined China’s new role as guarantor of existing principles while the U.S. was preparing to welcome Trump to the White House and German Chancellor Angela Merkel was absent.

More importantly, it was the first time a Chinese president had set the tone in a prestigious Forum defined for years by Western interests and ideas.

On various occasions, the content of Xi’s Davos speech has been reiterated by Chinese officials. The most recent example was an address by Premier Li Keqiang at the opening ceremony of the annual meeting of New Champions 2017 meeting in Northeastern China, in which he stated: “Economic globalization has become an irreversible trend.” Therefore, “promoting inclusive growth in our times calls for upholding economic globalization.”

Within this context, Xi is expected to offer new assurances at the G20 Summit that China wholeheartedly invests in continuity, stability and adherence to already agreed commitments, policies and measures. This is certainly critical during the current era of uncertainty while global economic recovery remains weighed down by the lack of growth drivers as well as by structural imbalances. Additional factors, such the practical implications of Brexit, equally contribute to volatility.

The good news for China, with the passage of time, “New Normal” economic model is gradually yielding results. With growth rates fluctuating in a range of 6.5 percent and 7 percent, and with domestic consumption and investment slowly rising, the country can look ahead in a positive frame of mind.

Even in Western media coverage, Beijing’s economic course is currently not framed as negatively as happened in 2015 and 2016. Of course, China recognizes it is still a developing country needing to eradicate problems such as poverty and continue to raise the standards of the basic social welfare.

All in all, it is premature to argue that China is replacing the U.S. in leading in globalization and free trade. It is fair, however, to state it is making steady progress in this direction, although the process will be long and certainly not linear.

A government pledge to accept more foreign companies investing in the country and setting up their regional headquarters certainly shows a shift of Chinese thinking. Hence, President Xi will be at the epicenter of attention during another important international meeting.

George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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