Danae Kyriakopoulou

Head of Research, OMFIF

Xi Jinping's keynote speech had a symbolic importance as the first-ever presence of a Chinese President in the traditionally Western-led gathering of the global elites. Beyond the symbolism, the speech was an impressive tour-de-force in defence of globalisation. Xi's remarks come at a critical juncture in history. The US and the UK, once the champions of economic liberalism and the proponents of globalisation, are retreating from the world stage and from integration with their neighbours. In this context, Xi's speech was a refreshing showcase of his leadership in the world stage.