Countries face clear choice of further baleful fragmentation or mutually beneficial cooperation: China Daily editorial

In his speech in Davos on Tuesday, Vice-Premier Liu He struck a tone that matched perfectly the theme of this year's World Economic Forum – "Cooperation in a Fragmented World".

In a speech that was well-received by many Western observers, Liu, a key national economic policy adviser, sought to both allay overseas misgivings about Chinese policy orientation and reiterate the country's continuous commitment to harmonious interaction with the rest of the world. Whether through choice or misunderstanding, there have been some voices suggesting that after decades of reform and opening-up, China is backpedaling that process. Liu assured his global audience in Davos that simply isn't the case.

"All-round opening-up is the basis of State policy and the key driver of economic progress. China's national reality dictates that opening up to the world is a must, not an expediency," Liu said.

Enumerating the lessons China has learned from its recent economic achievements, Liu highlighted the need to prioritize economic development, continue market-oriented economic reforms, "unswervingly" support the vibrant private sector and encourage entrepreneurship, adhere to all-round opening-up to the outside world, govern the country according to law and pursue innovation-driven development.

He stressed that at home, China will press ahead with market economy reforms; abroad, it would seek greater international collaboration. "Some people say China will go for the planned economy. That's by no means possible," he said, stressing that the pursuit of "common prosperity" doesn't mean the country enshrines egalitarianism or welfarism, but that as the country develops all Chinese people will be better off. It means there will be equal opportunities, but no guarantee of equal outcomes. It is aimed at preventing polarization and it can only be attained through development, which in turn is driven by entrepreneurs, including foreign investors, Liu said.

"Foreign investments are welcome in China, and the door to China will only open up further," Liu emphasized.

With the world political and economic landscapes undergoing profound changes and various unexpected incidents having occurred in the past few years, international cooperation is the only way to bridge the widening gaps dividing the present-day world, and mutual understanding is the prerequisite for strengthening cooperation, as Liu said.

But the strategic mistrust runs so deep and broad among major countries that words alone won't suffice to heal the wounds. As well as closer, more candid communication, actions matching words will be of critical significance to eliminating erroneous perceptions. The Netherlands can set an immediate example in this respect. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited the White House on Tuesday, during which he discussed with US President Joe Biden the new US restrictions on exporting chip-making technology to China that the Biden administration wants the Netherlands to also put in place

Prior to their meeting, Dutch?Trade Minister Liesje Schreinemacher said in a television interview on Sunday that the Netherlands will not summarily accept US restrictions on exporting chip-making technology to China and that decoupling from China was an illusion. Holding to that line will reinforce the message that even the US allies are unhappy with the US' fragmentation bombs.