SBS World News Radio: Davos forum hunkers down to counter anti-globalisation trends
Economic leaders say their job to promote global economic activity and cooperation will be particularly difficult, after a year of political upheaval and amid growing nationalism around the world.
Many leaders are not attending the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, including Malcolm Turnbull, but for the first time in its history, the Chinese President is there.
For 47 years, global policy and business leaders have been meeting in the picturesque Swiss town of Davos.
It's quiet corner of the world where some of the world's most powerful people come to debate the world's great challenges including inequality, climate change and economic development.
But leaders at the 2017 World Economic Forum know they're facing a global trend away from the principle it was founded on and championed for many years - globalisation.
Philipp Roesler, a member of the Forum's managing board, says shifting political trends toward nationalism and protectionism around the world make this event particularly important.
He says nations who choose to be more inward in their policies may lose out.
"We do see a trend towards more protectionism but from our point of view we need a strong stance in terms of global trade, open markets, free trade and fair competition. That could be a solution that was benefiting the people across the world in the past and the economy will globalise itself certainly even in the future. So the solution cannot be that politicians are focusing more and more on a national level, because then the globalisation of the business will be out of any control or regulation."
Some critics says the Forum's importance is shrinking, pointing to the absence of Germany, France and Canada at this year's meeting.
But one new attendee may make up for it: Xi [shee] Jinping is the first Chinese president to attend the annual meeting.
Mr Roesler says China is a globalisation success story, and hopes his visit will inspire others.
"So we have for the first time the president of the People's Republic of China. He will talk about the question of globalisation, the need for global trade for the benefit of all the people across the world. At the same time we see a kind of trend in many countries to look more inwards, rather than having this outreach. So it's a strong symbol to have the Chinese president here, particularly this week."
Speaking together with his Swiss counterpart, Doris Leuthard [LOYT-hart], Mr Xi stressed the importance of open markets.
"China and Switzerland are both active participants, defenders and builders of the world order. We share similar views and positions on important issues such as resisting protectionism and resolving international conflicts peacefully. Both countries are committed to promoting world peace and stability, promoting common development, and together safeguard the development of an inclusive global trading system."
Swiss President Doris Leuthard has praised China as a "reliable partner" in a world that faces increasing security challenges.
"During my last visit in China, in August, I went to the south of your country and somebody showed a video of you saying "have the courage to be a pioneer". Pioneers - this fits well for Switzerland and China. In a world where there is growing insecurity, conflicts and sources of concern, you need pioneers and exchange between reliable partners."
But beneath the veneer of optimism is anxiety about the tide of populist anger that swept the major economies in 2016 - highlighted by the British vote to leave the EU and the election of Donald Trump, to be inaugurated as US President on the final day of the Forum.
But the Forum's founder and Executive Chairman, Klaus Schwab [sh-VAHB], has called for patience.
"Of course we are meeting at a time there is a lot of confusion, many many question marks. So what we have to do here is address the root causes of this anxiety. So I expect a very action-oriented constructive mood. I think it's premature to speak about message. We all have to look out for the State of the Union message which I think will provide a framework for where the US new administration stands."
Mr Trump, whose "America first" pledge helped him win the White House, has also threatened to raise tariffs on imports from China.
Mr Xi, however, has spoken of smooth communication with Mr Trump's team, and reports suggest the Chinese president is willing to meet members of the US president-elect's team whilst in Davos.
