Former Italian PM says the presidency offers chance to put fighting trade protectionism high on the agenda

As China continues with its intensive preparations ahead of the G20 summit in the eastern city of Hangzhou in September, the country not only faces a mission to find a recipe for global economic growth, but also show its leadership in reviving the original decisive role of this multilateral framework, according to former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta.

"We need fresh air to restore the original role of the G20, and China's strong and pragmatic presidency this year can help inject this fresh air," he told China Daily in an interview in Shanghai.

Letta says China has been granted an historic responsibility to bring the G20 into what he calls the third phase since the inception of this multilateral platform by the world's leading politicians in 2008, when the financial crisis began to damage the global economy.

Before taking his current position as dean of the Paris School of International Affairs, part of Sciences Po, the 50-year-old worked as a member of the European Parliament and as a party political leader in Italy. As the nation's prime minister, from 2013 to 2014, he participated in meetings of the G8 (now the G7 after Russia was excluded) in Northern Ireland and the G20 in Russia.

His lengthy political experience has led him to conclude that the G20 is the best global framework for responding to international challenges.

At first, world leaders were united in finding fiscal remedies and fighting trade protectionism when dealing with financial upheaval, which Letta credits for the success of the G20 in the beginning. However, after three or four summits, the G20 entered into a quiet phase, he says.

"The last two (in Australia and Turkey) in particular were just ceremonial, and China faces a mission to recover the G20."

Letta says hosting the G20 is not just a chance to show China on the world stage, but also a major responsibility. Yet the decision by the international community to give China the rotating presidency was not a given. He says the country faced tough competition from Japan, but as Japan was to host the G7 summits in May, China was chosen.

"There was a big contest between China and Japan, and I think giving China this chance is a sign of goodwill from the international community. It did the right thing in my view."

In spite of the "quiet moments" of previous years, Letta says the G20 is an inclusive global platform that has obvious advantages compared with the United Nations and the G7.

The UN General Assembly is a platform to hear the opinions of the world, but it is difficult to reach a consensus among the 200 leaders, he says. "The G7 has never had the capacity to be so effective and so concrete in terms of reaching a consensus and implementation compared with the G20."

China's leadership at this year's G20 summit will be crucial to "working together to be decisive in achieving outcomes", he adds. "It's in the interest of China to show its commitment, and the G20 needs a big push. Combining these two aspects, I hope the G20 in September can be a turning point."

Letta says China is working hard in its preparations to turn the G20 into a stable and effective framework, but he adds that success depends on the three weeks running up to the leaders' summit.

Letta says, ultimately, the G20 should be flexible enough respond to what is happening in the world.

First, it should respond to the immigration issue, which the UN and other international groups have been working on, he says, adding that he also pins high hopes on concrete ideas and projects to be raised at the G20.

"The statement should not be too general, and G20 success depends on how concrete the solutions and outcomes are. You have to be very, very focused."

For example, he says, leaders at the G20 should discuss about choosing the UN leadership, which will be decided at the end of September at the international organization's general assembly.

Letta says the G20 summit in Hangzhou and the decisions regarding the UN leadership are two of the most important international issues this year.

"China should shoulder the responsibility of recovering the G20 and choosing the leaders of the UN. Instead of leaving this choice to diplomatic negotiations in New York, leaders at the G20 summit should help find the right people to lead the UN."

He also predicts that fighting trade protectionism will once again top the G20 agenda, which is expected to inject confidence into global trade.

He argues that Europe and the US are resorting to protectionism. In the US, he says, both sides involved in the presidential campaign have shown worrying trends, while some countries in Europe are taking serious protectionist measures in places where people are concerned about unemployment.

"Politicians are responding the public fears and are raising protectionism. We need a new phase of confidence on trade."

As for granting China market economy status, Letta says China and Europe should talk with each other to solve the problem.

"I know it's a crucial topic for China, but I think the country needs to understand that in Europe there are many concerns about trade. The political landscape today in Europe is leading to the rise of populists.

"The changing political landscape gives us a lot to worry about because this populist movement is antiglobalization, anti-integration, anti-US, anti-China, which is not good for Europe."

He says three things have led to the current situation in Europe, which symbolizes a new kind of nationalism, each country against each country, and Europe against the rest of the world.

First, the people fear an influx of immigrants, he says. Second, the consequences of the financial crisis are still unfolding. And third, the weakness of a Western society in which the people are anti-establishment, which is obvious in politics and society.

"My conclusion is that China needs to understand this very complicated situation in Europe. This attitude against free trade in Europe is not against China. The same for the US."

However, Letta argues that it is possible to find a solution on market economy status. "We need to work together. I believe bilateral relations will not be affected. It is in the common interests of China and Europe to find solutions to this topic and strengthen ties."

fujing@chinadaily.com.cn