Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a mission… to convince world leaders that he is a champion of globalisation. here in Switzerland… that involves eating cheese fondue with Swiss officials and business executives. He’s A KEY SPEAKER AS the World Economic Forum GETS UNDERWAY in Davos. SOT Philipp Roesler, WEF Council member”This is the first time a Chinese President has been here at the World Economic Forum // We understand this as a very positive signal. The Chinese president is here to discuss the world economy and to make the case for having a global economy.”Xi is the first Chinese leader to address the World Economic Forum. In the wake of Donald Trump’s election in the US… and Britain’s vote to leave the EU… he wants to send a key message : China is committed to free trade and global economic integration…… and that’s despite being accused of protectionism and nationalism in recent years. DLS Xi Jinping”Protectionism, populism and de-globalisation are on the rise. It’s not good for closer economic cooperation globally.”China has played an ever-increasing role in the global economy since joining the World Trade Organisation in 2001. It’s currently negotiating a regional free trade agreement with ASEAN member states, Australia and India… a deal which is seen as an alternative to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement… which President-elect Donald Trump says he will TEAR UP as soon as he takes office. China is also hoping to revive the historic Silk Road trade route between its own borders and Europe…through a series of infrastructure projects spanning three continents and 60 countries.