China’s Xi Jinping addresses Apec with call to protect global supply chains

President Xi Jinping on Friday urged world leaders to ensure the stability of supply chains, saying countries needed to “join hands” instead of “breaking chains” while pointing to growing uncertainty in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Xi also repeated earlier calls for countries to uphold the multilateral trading system and protect the interests of developing economies.

“Currently, the world is undergoing profound changes, a once-in-a-century transformation, with a complex and volatile international landscape, and increasing instability and uncertainty facing the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.

“The more turbulent the times, the more we must work together in solidarity.”

In one suggestion, Xi proposed that countries “adhere to the principle of ‘joining hands’ rather than ‘letting go’ and ‘extending chains’ rather than ‘breaking chains’, actively seeking more points of convergence of interests and supporting the open development of supply chains”.

Xi made the comments during a closed-door meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum held in the South Korean city of Gyeongju, which was attended by leaders from countries including Australia, Canada and Japan.