How Xi drives G20 cooperation in global crisis

BEIJING -- As a representative mix of the world's major economies, the Group of Twenty (G20) has become the premier forum the world looks up to today in moments of global economic turmoil and crisis.

With a thorough grasp of the G20's unique role, Chinese President Xi Jinping has consistently championed the G20's joint efforts to follow the spirit of sailing in the same boat and join hands to live up to their respective duty.

"All G20 members should take the responsibility inherent in being major international and regional players, and should lead by example in promoting development of all nations, improving the well-being for the whole mankind, and advancing progress of the entire world," he once said.

Now as Xi joins other leaders for the 19th G20 summit in Brazil, the international community is keen to see how they will address the great uncertainties troubling today's world, particularly what solutions China will propose for building a better future for all.

When G20 leaders gathered for their first summit in November 2008 in Washington, they were struggling to cope with an unprecedented global financial meltdown. By championing a collective drive, the group helped steer the global economy away from the brink of an abyss and put it onto the path of recovery.

Over the past few years, China has joined other G20 members in tackling another major crisis, the most serious global pandemic in a century and ensuing economic slump. This time the battle is even more onerous. As Xi observed, the impact was even worse than that of the 2008 maelstrom.