Embracing Opportunities, Sharing Benefits: by H.E. Zhang Yanling, Chinese Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda

We are living in a changing and turbulent world, where certainty is becoming a scarce resource.

While the international situation is full of challenges, with the multilateral trading system being hindered and additional tariffs being imposed, the choices made by countries will determine the trajectory of our times and shape the future of the world. I would like to share here the choice made by China, which is, to bring much-needed certainty to this uncertain world.

On 28 March, President Xi Jinping had a meeting with more than 40 global Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of foreign businesses as well as representatives of business councils in Beijing. The meeting reiterated China’s resolve to open wider at a high standard, its determination to share development opportunities with the rest of the world, and built a consensus that “oasis of certainty” is China’s calling card.

China’s door will only open wider. The reform and opening-up over the past four decades in China has proven that the country’s development benefits from foreign investments, at the same time, it provides a broad platform for foreign business’ growth. In 2024, China’s economy grew by 5%, and consistently accounted for around 30% of global economic growth. For 2025, considering both domestic and international conditions, China has set its economic growth target at around 5%. China will remain steadfast on the right side of history, along with international enterprises that are sincere partners, further focus on cooperation, reject protectionism, and continue to be each other’s development opportunities.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” China’s modernization is not “for China only”. While committed to improving the life of Chinese people by domestic development, China is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of people from other countries through shared development. With high-quality development as the guiding principle, China is accelerating its transition toward green, digital, and intelligent economy. From leading the global trend in new energy vehicles to empowering low-carbon development with green technologies, China’s innovation follows an open philosophy of “sharing opportunities, sharing benefits”. By unleashing the vast opportunities of our super-sized market and fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem, we will join hands with allpartners to uphold the multilateral trading system, stabilize global industrial and supply chains, and achieve mutual success. Together, we can turn the tide of challenges into a rising wave of shared prosperity.

With a keen understanding of the increasingly close interdependence among countries, President Xi Jinping proposed building a community with a shared future for mankind in September 2015 at the UN General Assembly, and called on all countries to transcend disagreements and differences, jointly protect our only planet, and develop together the global village as our common home. This great vision reflects not only the fine tradition of Chinese civilization that the world belongs to all, but also the internationalist commitment of Chinese nation.

China stands ready to walk hand in hand with Antigua and Barbuda on our respective national development paths, and hopes Antigua and Barbuda will benefit more from China’s further high-standard opening up. We look forward to building together with Antigua and Barbuda a community with a shared future, which will ensure that the world belongs to every country, and that everyone will have a bright future.