The world today is going through a cold winter of the century. The Covid-19 pandemic is raging around the world, the world economy is in deep recession, and people’s livelihood has been severely affected. Human society has once again come to a crossroads. How to defeat the pandemic and revive the world economy as soon as possible is a major issue that all countries are thinking about and trying to resolve.
On January 25, the World Economic Forum (WEF), known as a bellwether of the world economy, held a dialogue of the Davos Agenda, which provides an important platform for all to explore solutions to global challenges. The theme of this year is “A Crucial Year to Rebuild Trust”. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the dialogue via video link in Beijing and delivered a special speech titled “Let the Torch of Multilateralism Light up Humanity’s Way Forward”.
President Xi pointed out that the problems facing the world are intricate and complex, and the way out is “through upholding multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for mankind”. China’s answer, delivered by President Xi, was eloquent and significant. It provided systematic solutions to a world of various crisis, and pointed out the direction for a world at the crossroads. The speech was highly praised by the international community. 
In recent days, multilateralism has become a trending keyword in the dialogue, which deeply reflects the fact that upholding and enforcing multilateralism has increasingly become the consensus of the international community, including China and Qatar.
What kind of multilateralism do we need in the 21st century? How to uphold and practice multilateralism? Regarding these issues of the time, different countries have different understandings, and they have put forward various views and ideas. From the perspective of foreign policy and practice of China, I believe that defending and practising multilateralism should be based on the following four principles:
First, we should stay committed to openness and inclusiveness. President Xi pointed out that economic globalisation meets the need of growing social productivity and is a natural outcome of scientific and technological advancement. As a longstanding supporter of economic globalisation, China is committed to following through on its fundamental policy of opening-up. China will continue to promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, and help keep the global industrial and supply chains smooth and stable. We will foster a new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other, and unleash the potential of the huge China market and enormous domestic demand. 
As a highly open economy in the region, we could see improving business environment in Qatar, the QFZ and QFC are becoming highlights in attracting investment. Qatar is also promoting diversification in outbound investment, with Asia and North America as priorities. China will work with Qatar together to advance high-quality Belt and Road co-operation, to build an open world economy, and give further impetus to global economic recovery, contributing more certainty to a world of turbulence and changes.
Secondly, we should stay committed to international law and rules. President Xi said that international governance should be based on the rules and consensus reached among us, not on the order given by one or the few. Only by upholding real multilateralism can we safeguard world peace, stability and development. “Selective multilateralism” should not be our option. China and Qatar should be resolute in championing the international rule of law, and steadfast in our resolve to safeguard the international system centred around the UN and the international order based on international law. We need to reform and improve the global governance system to a more just and equitable one.
Thirdly, we should stay committed to consultation and co-operation. President Xi said that we need to reject the outdated Cold War and zero-sum game mentality, adhere to mutual respect and accommodation, and enhance political trust through strategic communication. As a staunch follower of an independent foreign policy of peace, China is working hard to bridge differences through dialogue and resolve disputes through negotiation and to pursue friendly and cooperative relations with other countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. 
Qatar is always committed to resolving differences through peaceful means, handling the Gulf crisis with rationality and taking an active part in mediating hotspot issues such as the Afghan peace process. China is willing to work with Qatar to advocate resolving conflicts through dialogue, replacing threats with consultation, and turning zero-sum game to win-win co-operation, and play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region and the world.
Fourthly, we should stay committed to keeping up with the times. As President Xi pointed out, to uphold multilateralism in the 21st century, we should promote its fine tradition, take on new perspectives and look to the future. We need to adapt to the changing international landscape and respond to global challenges as they arise. We also need to reform and improve the global governance system on the basis of extensive consultation and consensus-building. China and Qatar both support giving full play to the role of the World Health Organisation, and defeat the Covid-19 pandemic through unity and co-operation. China has up till now provided assistance to over 150 countries and 13 international organisations, sent 36 medical expert teams to countries in need, and stayed strongly supportive and actively engaged in international co-operation on Covid vaccines. Qatar has provided assistance to more than 70 countries and international organisations, and promised more support to the global work of pandemic control and vaccine research. Both China and Qatar are committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change, to promoting green development and building a clean and beautiful world.
Human history is a story of development wrestling with all kinds of difficulties. Practice has proven time and time again that multilateralism is the only right option for the international community to cope with global challenges. China will stand together with our Qatari brothers as a promoter, practitioner and defender of multilateralism, and contribute to a brighter future for mankind.