VOA常速英语:马云出席彭博全球商业论坛，力挺中小企业发展

At the first Bloomberg Global Business Forum, business and political leaders defended globalization at a time when many see it under threat.

“We are in a very specific moment.We have a lot of global challenges — climate change, migrations, terrorism — and for that we do need multilateralism.”

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton noted harm done through globalization, which has led to a backlash from those who feel left behind.

“We are also quite well aware that a lot of people feel left out, left behind, alienated politically, socially and economically and are very much in need of a hand up to be part of the future that we now take for granted.”

Alibaba CEO Jack Ma said globalization and the advances it is bringing should be embraced.

“So, in the past 30 years, 6 percent of the business in the world, big companies, they benefit from globalization.In the next 30 years, I believe, and we believe from the data shows that all the small business, at least 60 percent of the small business will be global, will benefit from globalization.”

EU Foreign Policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said Brexit and an “America First” agenda by U.S. leadership has motivated a sense of unity in Europe.

“What I’ve seen in this year is that the rest of the world is now looking at Europe for leadership.And we can do it.We feel the responsibility of doing that.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook said talented immigrants should be recruited instead of excluded.

“I’d have a very aggressive plan not just to let a few people in — I would be recruiting.”

Despite the challenges, Cook said he was more optimistic than ever before, saying technology provides an opportunity for people and nations to work together.

Daniel Schearf, VOA news, New York.