Choices of the times: Where is the world headed

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum in virtual format and delivered a keynote speech titled "Keep Abreast of the Trend of the Times to Shape a Bright Future" on Wednesday. Here are the highlights of his speech.

-- Where is the world headed: Peace or war? Progress or regression? Openness or isolation? Cooperation or confrontation? These are choices of the times that we are confronted with.

-- Despite changes in an evolving global environment, the historical trend of openness and development will not reverse course, and our shared desire to meet challenges together through cooperation will remain as strong as ever.

-- We should rise to challenge and forge ahead with resolve toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

-- First, we should embrace solidarity and coordination and jointly maintain world peace and stability.

-- We in the international community should reject zero-sum games and jointly oppose hegemonism and power politics.

-- Second, we should reach out to each other and jointly promote sustainable global development.

-- We should respond to people's concerns, pursue the larger interests of all countries, and steer global development to a new era to deliver benefit to all.

-- Third, we should tide over difficulties together and jointly pursue win-win cooperation.

-- To politicize the global economy and turn it into one's tool or weapon, and willfully impose sanctions by using one's primary position in the international financial and monetary systems will only end up hurting one's own interests as well as those of others, and inflict suffering on everyone.

-- Fourth, we should be inclusive and jointly expand openness and integration.

-- I am convinced that as long as we hoist high the sail of mutual benefit and win-win and keep a steady hand on the tiller of solidarity and cooperation, we will break waves and steer the giant ship of BRICS countries toward a brighter future!