Vision of President Xi for Sustainable, Brighter Future

By Prof Samitha Hettige

• Russians didn’t listen, USSR collapsed and millions suffered the consequences   
• President Xi Jinping shall be remembered by grateful Sri Lankans as the only world leader who helped them to expand the land mass of the island nation with the iconic Colombo Port City
• Conflict provocative elements were seen using inexperienced but tech- savvy ‘Gen Z’ to de establish societies for geopolitical gains
• His directions on using opportunities such as Artificial Intelligence for humanity and economic growth will be more practical for states if they work with those who promote win-win cooperation

 At the recently concluded 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ meeting held in South Korea, Commander in Chief of world’s 2nd largest economy Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his vision for the Asia Pacific community. Though focused on the APEC it indeed is a lesson for the world.   
When the Soviet Union (USSR) was planning political and economic reforms (late 1980s), Soviet Leader Gorbachev was advised by China’s Deng Xiaoping to take a bottom-up approach. Russians didn’t listen, USSR collapsed and millions suffered the consequences.   
Therefore, it is important especially for Sri Lankans to listen to the leader who’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI) is endorsed by the United Nations. President Xi Jinping shall be remembered by grateful Sri Lankans as the only world leader who helped them to expand the land mass of the island nation with the iconic Colombo Port City.   
Not misusing Generation Z   
In recent times, conflict provocative elements were seen using inexperienced but tech-savvy ‘Gen Z’ to de establish societies for geopolitical gains. These acts would reverse foreign direct investments including the development initiatives flowing with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.   
Under such circumstances, Chinese leader’s view on being prepared to manage new waves of scientific and technological revolutions and industrial transformations is worth studying. His directions on using opportunities such as Artificial Intelligence for humanity and economic growth will be more practical for states if they work with those who promote win-win cooperation.   
Educating the populations on managing challenges such as climate change, food and energy security is also important in the short term and long term. Chinese President’s wish to see Asia Pacific economies enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation to stand up to new challenges and forge a sustainable and brighter future together was explained in below three propositions (Ref Media).   
1. Firstly he proposed to unleash the potential of digital and smart development to give the Asia Pacific region a fresh edge in innovation driven development. President Xi encourages fully harnessing new technologies to propel humanity forward to seize the opportunities of digital, smart and green development.   
His sees sparking data into life as a basic resource and an engine for innovation. Promoting safe and orderly flow of data to accelerate high quality development of the digital economy deepening cooperation on open source technologies would create a competitive ecosystem for innovation.   
2. Secondly President Xi encouraged communities to stay committed to green and low carbon development to build a new paradigm for sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region. He sees clear waters and green mountains equally valuable as gold and silver. He reminded the world about fulfilling the responsibility towards the future generations by enhancing synergy between green development strategies of all economies. His vision on promoting free flows of quality green technologies and products to accelerate green and low carbon transition to vigorously tackle climate change is a message that should be taken very seriously by the Generation Z.   
3. Third proposition is to build an inclusive and universally beneficial future to foster a new dynamism in the inclusive growth of the Asia Pacific. As always he encouraged on putting the people first, strengthening policy communications and experience sharing to fully implement United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.   
As a 19th century Chinese thinker counselled, ‘Alone, one falters under the weight; together, we stride on the road’. China is ready to work with all parties to embrace the philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, and build together an Asia Pacific community – Xi Jinping. 
Views expressed are personal