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)
TT
20

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.



Ukraine Says It Will Work with US Towards Mutually Acceptable Minerals Deal

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha attends a joint press conference after a meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys (not pictured) in Kyiv, Ukraine, 01 April 2025. (EPA)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha attends a joint press conference after a meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys (not pictured) in Kyiv, Ukraine, 01 April 2025. (EPA)
TT
20

Ukraine Says It Will Work with US Towards Mutually Acceptable Minerals Deal

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha attends a joint press conference after a meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys (not pictured) in Kyiv, Ukraine, 01 April 2025. (EPA)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha attends a joint press conference after a meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys (not pictured) in Kyiv, Ukraine, 01 April 2025. (EPA)

Ukraine will work with the United States towards a mutually acceptable text of a minerals deal that the two countries can sign, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Tuesday.

Sybiha told a press conference that one round of consultations had already taken place on a new draft of the minerals deal and that an agreement providing for a strong American business presence in Ukraine would contribute to his country's security infrastructure.

"This process will continue and we will work with our American colleagues to reach a mutually acceptable text for signing," Sybiha said.

The statement came after US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wants to back out of the deal, warning that the Ukrainian leader would face big problems if he did.

Washington proposed an expanded minerals deal to Kyiv after the two sides failed to sign the framework deal during Zelenskiy's visit to the US in late February which ended with Trump berating him in the Oval Office.

The revised proposal would require Kyiv to send Washington all profit from a fund controlling Ukrainian resources until Ukraine had repaid all American wartime aid, plus interest, according to a summary reviewed by Reuters.

Zelenskiy said on Friday that Ukraine would not accept any mineral rights deal that threatened its integration with the EU, but that it was too early to pass judgment on the revised deal.