Chinese President Xi Jinping offered a vigorous defence of globalisation and free trade in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, which underscored Beijing's desire to play a greater global role as the United States turns inward.

Stating that she was shooting for a morning programme, the journalist further asked Shakira whether she sings in the morning and went on to request her to sing a few lines.

Lack of access to global markets is currently their main impediment to growth.