On September 3, the B20-China Global Dialogue, conducted on a virtual basis, focuses on a number of priority topics. [Photo/Sinomach]

Zhang Xiaolun, chairman of Sinomach and co-chairman of the B20 Italy Finance and Infrastructure Working Group, attended the B20-China Global Dialogue held on September 3, as part of the B20 Global Dialogues activities hosted by the B20 Secretariat.

It was a virtual meeting organized in cooperation with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and was aimed at illustrating to the Chinese business community the main outcomes of the B20 Italy 2021. It also paves the way to the B20 Final Summit, which will take place on October 7 to 8.

Zhang noted that the COVID-19 epidemic now plays fast and loose and the fast-changing viruses pose great challenges to epidemic prevention and control, as well as the recovery of the world economy. He outlined the progress of the Finance and Infrastructure Working Group, and proposed suggestions on financial and infrastructure development within the G20 framework.

This year, B20 high-level representatives have provided an overview, engaging with the local business community, G20 officials and relevant governmental representatives in a bid to enhance the resilience of global infrastructure and promote the stable, innovative and sustainable development of the global economy.

In his speech, Zhang also underlined the importance of seeking agreement while shelving differences, and indicated that the G20 now faces many common problems but shares broad space for cooperation. He hoped that the business community will strengthen communication, share opportunities, and step up for win-win cooperation in finance and infrastructure.

China has taken concrete measures to implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including creating an eco-conservation perspective, accelerating the optimization of industrial and energy structure and advocating a green and low-carbon mode of production and life, Zhang said.

Noting that business people should seize the industrial opportunities brought by the epidemic, he said that emergency management, telemedicine, pharmaceutical research and development, and telecommuting have received more attention in the post-epidemic era and the distribution of resources will favor these sectors.

More than 500 Italian and Chinese representatives attended the online event.

The G20 is an international forum that brings together the world’s major economies. Its members account for more than 80 percent of world GDP, 75 percent of global trade and 60 percent of the population of the planet.

Established in 2010 and reserved for companies and business organizations, the B20 is among the most prominent of the G20 Engagement Groups. It consists of over 1,000 delegates from the G20 countries, including top executives from leading multinational corporations, and has around 3,000 participants representing an overall community of more than 6.5 million businesses.

The B20 is entrusted with developing consensus-based policy proposals for consideration by the G20 and international organizations and institutions and promoting the robust, balanced and sustainable growth of the global economy.

As the Chinese chairman of the B20 Finance and Infrastructure Working Group since 2016, Sinomach has been participating in the forum’s various business activities and expanding the influence of Chinese companies.