Alan Barrell, entrepreneur in residence at the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

President Xi Jinping's speech covered so much ground. They were the words of a leader of a great nation, indicating a high degree of responsibility for engagement in real and constructive ways to shape the future with international partner nations.

Many of us are working below the "political macro" with colleagues and partners in China and Western nations to make practical things happen through focused strategies for partnering and combined efforts to develop our economies and societies and impact the global scene.

We all remember the period after Deng Xiaoping's speeches and actions concerning opening-up. The impact of his policy era is still being felt positively around the world. The focus on innovation, governance and transparency – if all the good words become actions – is highly significant.

Xi has spoken often of the Chinese Dream, and here in the UK there has been much discussion of a "golden era" of collaboration and closer links to bring progress in economic development, education, energy management, health reforms, and other fields.

Many of us outside China are ready to take and carry the baton forward to the next stage of planning and implementation. It's our hope that the encouraging words of Xi and other Chinese leaders can be translated into action by those closer to the sharp end of business and life. Our hope is that national and provincial governments in China will empower those in positions to make things happen, to generate and initiate innovative approaches and connect with like-minded organizations, enterprises, companies and people around the world to live the dream.

The Belt and Road Initiative is massive and exciting, and a real example of outreach in action. Much of the world needs constructive engagement with China to enhance and optimize developments, not least major infrastructure projects.

It's refreshing and innovative to have a Chinese leader emphasizing the topics prioritized by Xi at the top table of world leaders at an event such as the G20. It's also encouraging that it's taking place in an innovative city like Hangzhou. Amid all the things that are not going so well in the world, the messages in Xi's speech can provide inspiration and aspirations that positive change in China and the world are not vain hopes.