G20 needs to build digital economy friendly to growth, jobs: Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed on Saturday that the Group of 20 (G20) members should build a digital economy that is friendly to growth and employment.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the 12th Summit of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies in Hamburg, Germany, July 7, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

He made the remarks while attending a two-day G20 summit in the German port city of Hamburg.

"We should actively adapt ourselves to digital evolution, foster new economic drives, advance structural reforms and promote integrated development of digital and real economy," said Xi.

To this end, he proposed to implement the G20 Digital Economy Development and Cooperation Initiative and the New Industrial Revolution Action Plan, both adopted at last year's summit in Hangzhou, China.

The Chinese leader urged all members to cope with risks and challenges so as to steer digital economy toward openness and inclusiveness, adding that the G20 bloc needs to expand access to digital economy and reduce the digital divide between the North and the South.

"We need to pay attention to digitized production and the impact of artificial intelligence on employment in various nations, and to take active employment policies," he added.

The Chinese president also called on all parties to create an international environment favorable to the development of digital economy, better integrate their respective development strategies, and jointly improve the level of digital application.

"We should push for the construction of a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative cyberspace, and explore ways to build multilateral, transparent and inclusive international trade rules in digital sectors," he added.