Premier Li Qiang vows to expand global trade and opposes protectionism, as China seeks to boost its economy and navigate international disputes
BEIJING: Premier Li Qiang has pledged China will help expand the global “trade pie” through further opening up, while criticising rising unilateralism.
He made the remarks at the opening of the annual China Development Forum in Beijing, attended by global executives including Apple CEO Tim Cook.
“China will steadfastly advance high-level opening up, import more high-quality foreign goods, and work alongside all parties to promote the optimised and balanced development of trade,” Li said, according to state media Xinhua.
The Chinese premier added Beijing would work with other countries to “join forces to make the global economic and trade pie larger for everyone”.
He slammed growing unilateralism and protectionism, stating it was “no panacea for resolving problems”.
The forum convenes as China’s trade surged by a fifth in the first two months of the year, significantly outpacing forecasts.
This recent boost is a lifeline for the world’s second-largest economy, where domestic consumer activity has slumped.
It follows a record trade surplus last year and a blistering trade war with Washington after former US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs.
Li told officials and executives the international rules-based order was suffering “severe disruption” with power politics “running rampant”.
The meeting also occurs as the Middle East war, triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, threatens global energy security and China’s oil supplies.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with senior representatives of multinational companies including HSBC and UBS on Saturday.
Beijing has been seeking to steer a shaky economy onto a more stable path since the end of the pandemic, particularly by boosting consumption.
Many of China’s key trading partners have increasingly called on Beijing to reduce its soaring trade surplus owing to its impact on local competition.
The Sun Malaysia
