Metaphors in Xi's speech resonate around the world: CMG president

Shen Haixiong, President of China Media Group, said that several quotes by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the China International Import Expo had instantly become popular online, generating responses both in China and overseas.

The Hongqiao International Business Media & Think Tank Forum is held in Shanghai, Nov. 5, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Cai Yang]

Shen Haixiong said this when addressing the Hongqiao International Business Media and Think Tank Forum on Monday. President Xi's speech highlighted the critical role of China's reform and opening up policy, and was a demonstration of China's willingness to share in the responsibility to foster the spirit of win-win cooperation in the world, Shen said. 

President Xi likened the Chinese economy to “a sea, not a pond," adding "Storms can overturn a pond, but never a sea." Xi’s use of metaphors such as the sea, the choir and the flashlight instantly became buzzwords on the internet and prompted responses from people all over the world, Shen said. 

Shen Haixiong pointed out that, earlier in Guangdong Province, President Xi Jinping had reiterated China's stance to resolutely and confidently continue its reform, push forward its opening up, and share its opportunities with the world. If President Xi's speech in Guangdong marked a new step in China's efforts to deepen its reforms, then his keynote speech at the Import Expo announced China's intention to take its opening to a new level, Shen said.

Shen also said in Shanghai that the World Bank "2019 Doing Business report" issued a few days ago showed that compared to last year, China shot up 32 places in the world rankings in terms of its business environment. This is an indication that China's market economy environment is increasingly attractive to the international community.

As one of China's main media organizations covering the Import Expo, China Media Group has committed 1,800 staff to broadcasting news of the event in 44 languages across nine television channels and 10 radio stations.

More attention urged to be paid to voices from developing countries

The head of China Media Group also called on media organizations around the world to pay more attention to the voices from developing countries and provide platforms for cultural exchanges. 

At the Hongqiao International Business Media and Think Tank Forum, which was held on the sidelines of the China International Import Expo, Shen Haixiong said the Expo in Shanghai has been able to highlight China's stance on the global economy and trade. The Expo and China's stance have been under the spotlight of the world media, which shows support for multilateralism and free trade remains mainstream of the international community. 

Thus he was calling on all media outlets to shoulder the responsibility of promoting economic globalization and help maintain a fair and open international economic order. Shen suggested that the media in all countries, no matter developing or developed countries, should be advocating an open economic system, acting as a bridge and encouraging all stakeholders to strengthen dialogue.