An ‘open source’ China can best counter Trump’s protectionist chaos: Beijing adviser

China must strive to be an “open source” country in trade and technology to champion globalisation – even as the United States resorts to protectionism – a prominent adviser to Beijing has said.

China should sign free-trade pacts with more partners, boost technological exchanges and expand “unilateral opening up”, Zheng posted on Friday on a social media account maintained by CUHK-Shenzhen.

“China must give an unequivocal answer to pressing questions about where globalisation is headed and reassure the anxious world,” Zheng wrote in the article based on a forum discussion in Shenzhen he anchored earlier this week.

The noted political scientist is widely seen as an influential voice heeded by China’s leadership. He has played a key role in many policymaking exercises, including on a panel of experts from whom President Xi Jinping sought policy recommendations in 2020.

The world is looking to China as US President Donald Trump unleashes a barrage of tariffs and tirades attacking globalisation, Zheng told Monday’s forum. China could become an “open source” leader for trade and tech – but it first needed resolve, he noted.