'We are in the same boat' toward brighter future -- Xi's speech inspires APEC business leaders

Inclusiveness for coexistence & win-win

"We live on the same planet," President Xi said in his speech. "Diversity and interaction between different civilizations, social systems and paths can provide strong impetus for human progress."

Just like one single prescription can not cure all disease, there is no particular development model that fits all countries, Xi said, in a bid to emphasize the necessity of inclusiveness.

Andrew MacIntyre, director of the Australian APEC Study Center at RMIT University in Australia, said: "I understood him (Xi) that development in the Asia-Pacific region needs to include everyone. That is, we must ensure no nation is excluded and that within each nation, there is opportunity for all people."

"I also understood him to be saying that we needed to accept a diversity of developmental models and no nation should try to impose its developmental model on others," he added.

According to Morris from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, fair, open and transparent business environments will be even more important in the next phase of the fourth industrial revolution, to make sure that "the benefits of new technologies are widely shared and nobody is left behind."

Meanwhile, Campbell asked people to look deeper into Xi's remarks. "We need to look more broadly at economic growth than just trade. Trade is an important driver, but it doesn't benefit everyone in the same way naturally, so you have to take measures to make sure that everybody is included. That people have jobs, that there is a social security system, that your infrastructure is there."

"No country can take the path of 'me only' or 'me first'," said Chen Hong. "Nobody should judge others by its own development path, let alone impose it on others."

"The Pacific Ocean is big enough to converge various countries and people to develop together," he explained. "China will be based in the Asia-Pacific, and make it prosper."

China's greater role

In his speech, Xi recalled the great achievements China has made in the 40 years of reform and opening-up. "It is the relentless efforts of the Chinese people that have made China what it is today!" he said.

He called on business leaders attending the summit to actively participate in China's Belt and Road Initiative and the annual China International Import Expo. "I am confident that the large market of China, with a population of close to 1.4 billion, will be a source of dynamic growth for the global economy," he said.

Chen Yushu, a representative at the APEC CEO Summit, told Xinhua after hearing Xi's speech that the APEC members should closely cooperate under the Belt and Road Initiative and that will "make the world even better."

Morris sees the Belt and Road Initiative as a great contribution by China to "help build the infrastructure and connectivity needed across the developing world and beyond."

He also spoke highly of China's 40 years of reform and opening-up, calling it a "milestone", as it has made it possible for strong economic growth and the huge change in people's lives n the country.

Jenik Radon, a professor from the School of International and Public Affairs in Columbia University, also hailed China's achievements in the past four decades. "It was fantastic. Hundreds of millions of people have been taken out of poverty. Many are better educated. That is very incredible."

To PNG businessman Kongoi, it is a practical choice to join the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. "APEC members can join the Belt and Road Initiative to set up infrastructure, not only in building roads, ports and bridges, but also in building digital infrastructure, so that every one has access to internet, especially in countries like PNG," he said.

Away from the APEC venue, Xi's speech also made a shockwave online, with many internet users applauding his remarks.

Facebook user Yuan Long posted a comment on the video of the speech that Xi's thoughts "resonate with the needs of the times. His advocacy of a global community with a shared future reflects his philosophy of leadership."