China must strive to be an “open source” country in trade and technology to champion globalisation – even as the United States resorts to protectionism – a prominent adviser to Beijing has said.
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Zheng Yongnian, dean of the school of public policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Shenzhen campus (CUHK-Shenzhen), also called on China to persist with opening up as uncertainties mount with Trump’s comeback.
China should sign free-trade pacts with more partners, boost technological exchanges and expand “unilateral opening up”, Zheng posted on Friday on a social media account maintained by CUHK-Shenzhen.
“China must give an unequivocal answer to pressing questions about where globalisation is headed and reassure the anxious world,” Zheng wrote in the article based on a forum discussion in Shenzhen he anchored earlier this week.
The noted political scientist is widely seen as an influential voice heeded by China’s leadership. He has played a key role in many policymaking exercises, including on a panel of experts from whom President Xi Jinping sought policy recommendations in 2020.
“When the US is dismantling globalisation it once took the lead to build, China’s commitment is a manifestation of confidence.
The world is looking to China as US President Donald Trump unleashes a barrage of tariffs and tirades attacking globalisation, Zheng told Monday’s forum. China could become an “open source” leader for trade and tech – but it first needed resolve, he noted.