Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech via video link at the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference 2021 on Tuesday.

Here are some highlights of the speech.

On BFA's 20th anniversary

The BFA has borne witness to the extraordinary journey of China, of Asia and of the world, and has exerted a significant influence on boosting development in Asia and beyond, Xi said.

He underscored the significance of the theme of this year's conference, which he said is convened against "a very special background."

The theme – A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation – is most opportune and relevant under the current circumstances.

On China's progress and development

China has achieved progress and development in tandem with the rest of Asia and the world, President Xi said.

As an important member of the Asian family, China has kept deepening reform and opening-up while promoting regional cooperation.

On equality and mutual respect

The principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual trust must be put front and center in state-to-state relations, he told the plenary.

"Bossing others around or meddling in others' internal affairs would not get one any support," he said.

"We must advocate peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, which are common values of humanity, and encourage exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations to promote the progress of human civilization."

On COVID-19 vaccine cooperation

Xi called for efforts to bolster international cooperation on the research and development, production and distribution of vaccines in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

He said that efforts should be made to ensure that everyone in the world can access and afford the vaccines they need.

China will honor its commitment of making vaccines a global public good, and continue anti-COVID cooperation with the World Health Organization and other countries and do more to help developing countries defeat the virus, Xi said. 

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Xi: China to do more to make vaccine available in developing countries

On hegemony and unilateralism

China will never seek hegemony, expansion, or a sphere of influence no matter how strong it may grow, Xi said.

Nor will China ever engage in an arms race, he added.

"We must not let the rules set by one or a few countries be imposed on others, or allow unilateralism pursued by certain countries to set the pace for the whole world," Xi stressed.

On inter-civilization dialogue

China will host the second Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations once the pandemic gets under control, Xi announced.

The hosting of the conference will be part of China's active efforts to promote inter-civilization dialogue in Asia and beyond, he said.

Read more:

China to host second Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations