Abstract
This chapter aims to analyse the participation of China in the World Economic Forum (WEF), popularly known as the Davos Forum, an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging world leaders from different domains on the informal discussion of “themes that matter.” The Chinese leader has assumed in the WEF a position of defender of economic globalization, the opening of markets, and harmonious practices among states. However, from Chinese rhetoric and reality, there seem to be discrepancies. The main objective of this chapter is thus to look at this dissonance and to reach some conclusions. The authors consider that Xi Jinping’s speeches at the Davos Forum are above all an instrument of soft power, trying to show a positive image of the country, the success and superiority of its economic model and its values, while taking the lead in diplomatic influence. The chapter begins with an introduction, followed by a general description of China’s participation in the international economic architecture. Afterwards, the main features of the World Economic Forum are analysed, as well as China’s participation in this international organization. Before the final remarks, focus will be made on the dissonance between rhetoric and practice in China’s participation at the WEF.
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da Silva, J.T., Pereira, R.P. (2023). The Chinese Agenda on the World Economic Forum: Assessing Political Evidence Between Rhetoric and Practice. In: Duarte, P.A.B., Leandro, F.J.B.S., Galán, E.M. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Globalization with Chinese Characteristics. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6700-9_9
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