Xi at G20: Drawing Ideological Lines Obstructs Advancement of Humankind

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves during a press event to introduce the new members of the Chinese Politburo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 25, 2017. (AP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping waves during a press event to introduce the new members of the Chinese Politburo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 25, 2017. (AP)
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Xi at G20: Drawing Ideological Lines Obstructs Advancement of Humankind

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves during a press event to introduce the new members of the Chinese Politburo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 25, 2017. (AP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping waves during a press event to introduce the new members of the Chinese Politburo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 25, 2017. (AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday asked the G20 wealthy nations to contain the fallout from interest rate hikes, as the US Federal Reserve moves aggressively to fight inflation.

He also cautioned that drawing ideological lines obstructs the advancement of humankind.

"We must contain global inflation and resolve systematic risks in the economy and finance," Xi told a summit of the 20 major economies taking place in Bali.

"Developed economies should reduce the negative spillover effects of their monetary policy adjustments and stabilize debts at a sustainable level," he said.

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates to their highest level since before the 2008 financial crisis as it seeks to tighten money supply in an effort to wrestle back inflation.

The US monetary stance has pushed the dollar up to levels not seen in two decades, causing distress for developing economies that rely on exports or that are trying to curb inflation themselves.

Xi, on only his second overseas trip since the pandemic, was addressing the summit a day after meeting US President Joe Biden.

The talks with Biden were strikingly friendly, with the two leaders both indicating they would like to ease tensions that have soared in recent months.

The White House said that Xi and Biden agreed against any use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, as the United States seeks to encourage distance between Beijing and its nominal ally in Moscow.

"We must firmly oppose politicization, instrumentalization and weaponization of food and energy problems," Xi said.

He also repeated his familiar opposition to Western sanctions and warned against aggravating differences among countries.

"Drawing ideological lines and stirring up opposition among political blocs and factions will only divide the world and obstruct the advancement of humankind," he said.



Fireworks Workshop Explodes in Central Thailand, Killing at Least 9 

This photo released by Suphan Buri Provincial Public Relations Office, shows the damage by an explosion at a fireworks factory in Suphan Buri province, Thailand, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Suphan Buri Provincial Public Relations Office via AP)
This photo released by Suphan Buri Provincial Public Relations Office, shows the damage by an explosion at a fireworks factory in Suphan Buri province, Thailand, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Suphan Buri Provincial Public Relations Office via AP)
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Fireworks Workshop Explodes in Central Thailand, Killing at Least 9 

This photo released by Suphan Buri Provincial Public Relations Office, shows the damage by an explosion at a fireworks factory in Suphan Buri province, Thailand, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Suphan Buri Provincial Public Relations Office via AP)
This photo released by Suphan Buri Provincial Public Relations Office, shows the damage by an explosion at a fireworks factory in Suphan Buri province, Thailand, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Suphan Buri Provincial Public Relations Office via AP)

An explosion at a fireworks workshop in central Thailand killed at least nine people on Wednesday, local officials said.

The blast occurred in Suphan Buri province, about 95 kilometers (60 miles) northwest of Bangkok in the heart of the country’s central rice-growing region. The cause was not immediately known.

The Samerkun Suphan Buri Rescue Foundation reported nine deaths and said two people were taken to hospital in critical condition. The provincial government's public relations department said one person had been injured. The number of people missing was not immediately clear.

Police Senior Sergeant Major Pinyo Chanmanee said the explosion took place in a building used to produce fireworks. It was not clear if it was licensed to do so.

Video and photographs from the scene showed shattered wooden buildings in green rice fields.

A similar incident in the same area in January 2024 killed around 20 people.

In July 2023, a large explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 100, according to officials.