Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged world leaders to ensure the stability of supply chains, saying countries should be “joining hands” instead of “breaking chains”, as he pointed to growing uncertainty in the Asia-Pacific.

According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Xi also repeated earlier calls for countries to uphold the multilateral trading system and protect the interests of developing economies.

“Currently, the world is undergoing profound changes, a once-in-a-century transformation, with a complex and volatile international landscape, and increasing instability and uncertainty facing the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.

“The more turbulent the times, the more we must work together in solidarity.”

In one suggestion, Xi proposed that countries “adhere to the principle of ‘joining hands’ rather than ‘letting go’ and ‘extending chains’ rather than ‘breaking chains’, actively seeking more points of convergence of interests and supporting the open development of supply chains”.

“We must practice true multilateralism and enhance the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core,” he said.