Observers share 3 words about China

Steve Mollenkopf [File photo/IC]

Steve Mollenkopf, chief executive officer of Qualcomm, the US semiconductor and telecommunications giant, chose "green" alongside "innovative" and "collaborative".

Environmental sustainability and the creation of a "Beautiful China" was one of the messages in Xi's report to the congress in the opening session.

"The Chinese government has attached great importance to ecological protection. During my recent visits to China, I have been impressed by the considerable efforts toward improving the environment."

Jeremy Hunter, chief executive of the Chinese branch of Henkel Corp, the German chemical and consumer goods company, had almost identical choices, varying only by noting "sustainable" rather than "green".

"China has prioritized sustainable development as an important part of its national agenda and is making progress toward balancing economic development and sustainability."

Xi made a brave defense of globalization in his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January despite protectionist noises elsewhere in the world. So it is not surprising the word was chosen by a number of respondents.

It was one of the selections of Curt Ferguson, president of the Chinese arm of Coca-Cola, which remains one of the world's most global companies.

"China has become a champion of globalization. We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to forge strong local partnerships to serve Chinese consumers and share our experience of managing a truly international business in more countries and regions than there are members of the United Nations."